Fundraiser for typhoon victims

(Update)
The pace of relief operations in the Philippines is picking up now, six days after typhoon Haiyan devastated the country. But many are still still waiting for much needed food, water and medicine after their homes were destroyed. Kelda Yuen has more on why aid is still not reaching some desperate survivors.

It’s been almost a week since typhoon Haiyan touched down but gridlock, blocked roads, and damaged communication links mean many survivors are still waiting for help to arrive.

Rachel Logel Carmichael is with Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs with World Vision: “Our staff said in some places they have to take a boat to an island, and then drive, and then walk.”

The Hamilton Filipino Community Centre held a fundraiser Wednesday.

Luz Pontilan’s family lives in Jaro, 35 kilomiteres from Tacloban. Their home was destroyed. These photos were sent by her relatives: “Everybody over there is starving. The aid, the help, it hasn’t reached them. I don’t know what they are eating right now, maybe just a bite to survive.”

Lori Marpa wants to hear from their family: “There are some canned foods, and that’s all they are eating. But in about three days, that will be gone.”

Luz’s nephew Kenny, seen here kneeling in the photo, was in Tacloban when the typhoon hit. Luckily, he was able to get to safety: “He walked, and then swam, walked, and then swam. If the water was high, he had to swim, if it was a little bit lower then he would walk.”

Luz’s brother, Leo seen here on the far left, had to travel over over 60 kilometres to another town to call home; a journey that has become dangerous due to bandits: “If you have stuff in your hand, they’ll take it from you. If it’s food, if it’s money, they’ll just grab it from your hand. That’s the dangerous part. That’s what I heard from my brother yesterday.”

Meanwhile, some desperate survivors have also resorted to looting: “We’ve heard reports of looting of stores and warehouses.”

The money raised at the fundraiser will be going to help victims of the typhoon after emergency relief workers have left.

Bonner Villabroza is the President of the Hamilton Filipino Community Centre: “Once the first responders have gone, the place will be abandoned and that’s when we come in.”

But right now, the situation remains critical: “As people get more desperate, the situation will be exacerbated.”

Donations to the Hamilton Filipino Community Centre Calamity Fund:
Visit the TD Bank at Upper James and Mohawk Road
Account number: 191-5221540