Ports Authority helping to raise funds for victims of Typhoon Haiyan
Public Relations Officer of the BVI Ports Authority, Ms April Glasgow, told Virgin Islands News Online that the Managing Director of the BVIPA Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had made the suggestion during the BVIPA’s recent general staff meeting where a moment of silence was also observed for those who perished when the typhoon hit.
“He asked us, all the staff members present, if we would be willing to also donate to the cause and of course everyone said yes we would like to,” Ms Glasgow related.
She noted that the BVI Red Cross was then contacted and it was decided that the monies raised would be handed over to the entity who would then present it to the Philippines Red Cross. Ms Glasgow also said the BVI Red Cross advised that monetary donations would be best suited as food items and other non-perishables may take too long to get to those really in need.
The Public Relations Officer further stated that the public can also get involved by making their donations to the BVIPA who would then hand it over to the BVI Red Cross. Persons have until Friday, November 29 to make their donations.
Meanwhile, in a previous press release issued by the BVIPA, Mr Skelton-Cline had called on the VI community to also assist in the fundraising effort. “We are raising funds within the Authority but are also calling on persons in the BVI community to join with us.”
Persons interested in donating can contact Ms. Cupid at the BVI Ports Authority via telephone 494-3435.
Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE has also called on residents to help the people of the Philippines. According to a UK Government website, Premier Smith said “Thousands of people in remote communities have lost their homes and everything they own. They are in the open and completely exposed to the elements.”
Only recently, the Filipino Association of the BVI did a fund raising walk and it is said that the BVI Red Cross is also planning to host a telethon to raise funds.
According to President of the Association, Enda Ruffell Smith, this is the strongest typhoon that has ever hit not only the Philippines, but also the entire world, with sustained winds of 315 kph (195 mph) and gusts as strong as 380 kph (235 mph).
“Nothing could have prepared the people in these areas especially in the remote and small localities. It was a massive disaster consisting of overwhelming storm surges and flooding, which has displaced nearly 700,000 families," Ms Smith disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online previously.
According to the Sun Star, the death toll from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) reached 5,500 on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 based on reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
NDRMMC spokesperson Major Rey Balido said that based on the disaster bureau's 6 p.m. report, more than 200 were added to the official list of casualties, which came mostly from Tacloban City.
He said a total of 1,757 individuals are still missing but Balido noted that the figures can change since some of the missing can be accounted to the several unidentified casualties.
Balido also said that more than 26,000 persons were injured during the height of the super typhoon.
Total damage to properties remained at P24,539,251,407.26, including P13.18 billion in infrastructure and P11.36 billion in the agriculture industry.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that more than P547 million worth of relief assistance has already been provided to the affected residents living in Eastern Visayas.
More than 1.9 million food packs have also been distributed to the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the DSWD said.
16 Responses to “Ports Authority helping to raise funds for victims of Typhoon Haiyan”
THIS COUNTRY NEEDS HELP WITH WHAT THIS DAMN GOVERNMENT DOING TO IT AND NO ONE IS COMING TO THE RESCUE.
I do not believe that assisting the Haitian victims or even ameliorating our own situation at home precludes us from assisting disaster victims elsewhere, where feasible. We must be careful how we act toward others in need. We would appreciate the kindheartedness of others should similar tragedy befall us.
Hush your lazy @$s, go look wuk!!! $h1t man, ya'll sickening now!