Singapore Red Cross Medical Response Team Arrives At Ormoc, Philippines To Aid Typhoon Survivors

Donor community raises S$1 million within a week of appeal

Singapore, 20 November 2013 – The first of several Singapore Red Cross medical missions has today arrived at Ormoc, the devastated second largest city on Leyte Island. The nine-member team comprising volunteer doctors, nurses, a psychosocial support therapist and a logistician will work closely with the PRC to provide much-needed healthcare assistance over the next ten days.

“While most relief efforts have focused on Tacloban[1], Ormoc’s[2] 190,000 residents are in urgent need of medical attention and assistance. Field observations from our advance team note that all healthcare facilities including hospitals sustained massive damage,” noted Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General of Singapore Red Cross.

He added, “With more than 90 percent of the city’s structure destroyed, people are exposed to the elements, and respiratory and other illnesses are expected to be on the rise. The problem will be exacerbated by an imminent outbreak of infectious diseases in the storm’s wake. Our medical mission has set foot in Ormoc amid the impending health crisis, and we hope that our team can bring some relief to those needing medical attention.”

Following Typhoon Haiyan, the SRC contributed S$200,000 for emergency supplies to the Philippine Red Cross for immediate distribution. An advanced relief team was deployed toMalapascua, Cebu and Barangay Mahayahay, Ormoc from 14 to 18 November to deliver food and non-food aid to the affected population. The team also conducted needs assessment in Ormoc, which was essential in paving the way for subsequent SRC missions and in ensuring future resources would be optimally used in areas that require most attention and aid.


[1] Leyte provincial capital of 200,000 people and the biggest city on Leyte Island

[2] Located 105km west of Tacloban

The SRC is also supporting the field operations of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross. The SRC is pledging CHF100,000 each to IFRC and ICRC.

Update on Fundraising Efforts

To date, the Singapore Red Cross has received over S$1 million for Typhoon Haiyan relief. This includes S$200,000 from the Singapore Government to kickstart the appeal, S$50,000 from Bridgestone Asia Pacific, S$50,000 from Temasek Foundation, and $12,000 from Nikon Singapore.

“We are very grateful to all our donors for their immense show of support for the devastated communities. We are also very happy that Oxley Holdings is matching all public donations, dollar-for-dollar, for up to S$1 million,” said Mr William.

More than 700 donation tins are now islandwide, in offices and in shopping malls. Dairy Farm Group has placed 300 donation tins across Cold Storage, Market Place, Jasons, Giant and Guardian outlets islandwide till Dec 1. Jay Gee Melwani Group will place over 100 donation tins at all its brand outlets such as Levi’s, Dockers, New Look and Nike.

Typhoon Haiyan has claimed more than 4,000 lives, injured 18,000 people and affected more than 10 million individuals in 44 provinces since its landfall in Philippines on 8 November 2013.

To find a family member (Restoring Family Links)

For assistance, please call the Singapore Red Cross at its hotlines 6664 0501/6664 0502 with details of your missing family member.

To donate

Cash/Cheque

Please visit the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486, from 9am to 7pm (Mon-Fri) 9am to Noon (Sat-Sun), or make your cheque payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ and post it to the above address. Please indicate ‘Red Cross Haiyan Relief’ on the back of the cheque, along with your name, contact no. and address.

DBS/POSB iBanking and POSB ATM

Please click here for complete list of steps for DBS/ POSB and ATM iBanking.

OCBC internet banking, mobile banking and ATM

Please click here for complete list of steps for OCBC- internet, mobile and ATM banking.

Please note that OCBC’s donation channels are open between 13 Nov 2013 to 12 Feb 2014.

UOB internet banking, phone banking and cheque payment

Please click here for complete list of steps for UOB internet banking, phone banking and cheque payment.

Credit Card

Please click here to apply for a donation via credit card.

PayPal*

Please click here to donate via PayPal. (Please indicate ‘Haiyan Relief’ in the remarks column.)

SimplyGiving*

Please click here to donate via SimplyGiving.

*Donations are subject to administrative charges carried by these online payment gateways.

**Note: In-kind donations (food, clothes, etc) are not accepted due to logistical considerations. Tax deduction is not applicable for overseas giving.

To fundraise

Please click here for the 3rd party fundraising form.

Please click here for donation tin request form.

Please direct the above application forms to fundraising@redcross.sg

Follow @philredcross for updates on Philippine Red Cross preparedness and response actions. Hashtags for Typhoon Haiyan are #Haiyan and #YolandaPH