Disaster hit the Visayan Islands and parts of Mindanao just before the holidays when Typhoon Odette made landfall in the country in mid-December 2021. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rapid floods forced many people to evacuate to safer locations only to return to shards and fragments of what was once their home.
Photo: Bohol Chronicle
Weeks later, the damages caused by the typhoon are still evident in most cities and provinces, with Bohol one of the most hard hit. Upon assessment of the province, Bohol was immediately placed under the State of Calamity by the Philippine Government.
Many victims are yet to receive help due to blocked roads and their remote locations. In these trying times, those severely affected are grappling with any sign of hope that things will get better sooner than later.
How Can We Help?
Non-profit organizations and charities are continuously organizing several donation drives and relief efforts to help the people affected by Typhoon Odette in Bohol, Cebu, Siargao, and many other areas. Those who can are encouraged to help by volunteering in donation centers and facilities.
Otherwise, if you’re unable to volunteer, there are numerous other ways to offer help. These organizations and charities are accepting aid from anyone willing to provide monetary or in-kind donations:
1. For Our Farmers PH, Inc.
In March 2020, this youth-led organization was initially established to support farmers impacted by the pandemic. When the typhoon happened, they immediately stepped up to help victims by setting up Project Sagip.
Through donations, For Our Farmers PH’s on-ground team visited the hard-hit areas to provide relief goods and support. They continue to accept cash or in-kind contributions as they resume their travels to Negros, Bohol, and Cagayan de Oro to render assistance.
For information on how to donate or witness updates about Project Sagip, visit their Facebook page.
Photo: For Our Farmers
2. Project Bangon Bohol
Project Bangon Bohol was launched to help Boholanos specifically. Typhoon Odette is the province’s worst typhoon in recent history. This charitable organization has partnered with the LGU to assist identified affected communities. They braved through challenging transportation and communication to reach even the most remote and vulnerable areas impacted by the typhoon.
For transparency, Project Bangon Bohol consistently posts updates of their relief operations along with the food, solar lights and chargers, and other essential relief packs they managed to supply to those in need.
Details on how to donate to Project Bangon Bohol can be found here.
Photo: Project Bangon Bohol
3. Center for Disaster Preparedness
As the leading resource center in community-based climate and disaster risk reduction and management, the Center for Disaster Preparedness was at the forefront of seeking and providing help for Typhoon Odette victims.
They are accepting monetary donations to deliver food, non-food items, and temporary shelter to affected communities in Bohol, Surigao City, Southern Leyte, and Palawan. The resource center also offers mental health and psychosocial support services, along with humanitarian assistance in partnership with DRRNet Philippines and the Philippine Preparedness Partnership.
You may visit the Center for Disaster Preparedness website for information on how to donate.
Photo: Center for Disaster Preparedness
4. Help Bohol Donation Drive
The Help Bohol Donation Drive is operated by Bohol Brave Warriors and JCI Boholana Kisses. These two organizations set up the relief initiative to effectively help victims of Typhoon Odette by providing safe drinking water, food, secondhand clothing, and medicines.
As of January 4, 2022, Help Bohol Donation has collected a total of P42,000. The money will be used to order and deliver boxes of relief packs that will be distributed to people in need.
Donate to Help Bohol Donation by visiting their Facebook page.
Photo: Help Bohol Donation Drive
5. Foundation for Philippine Progress, Inc.
As a nonprofit organization, Foundation for Philippine Progress is mainly concerned with securing quality health, education, and basic human rights for all Filipinos. To remediate the damages caused by Typhoon Odette, it is continuously working with partner organizations to arrange first aid care, assist at evacuation centers, and deliver relief packages.
Foundation for Philippine Progress still accepts cash and in-kind donations to help create relief packs for the victims. The relief packs include food, water, and other supplies such as blankets and safety equipment.
For more information on how to donate, visit their Facebook post here or website here.
Photo: Foundation for Philippine Progress, Inc.
It’s nearly a month since Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines and from its wake, an apparent tragedy left many victims with little to no respite to help them recover. It’s not too late to extend a helping hand that may as well be a beacon of hope during a dark time.
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