How To Help Victims Of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan

To my friends around the world:
 
They say that home is where the heart is, and this week my heart is in two places: Boston and the U.S. (where my home and family are) and the Philippines (where I grew up, where I’m heartbroken for my fellow Filipinos).
 
The U.S. is where I went to college and graduate school, raised my sons, and started Care.com. But the Philippines—that’s my heritage, my history. It’s where I was born, where my parents raised me and my five siblings, where I learned to be proud of my rural home, where we struggled every day to make ends meet. It’s where my journey began. And today, most importantly, it’s where I sit on the board of the Philippine Development Foundation as we try to help lift a devastated nation to its feet.
 
As you know, more than 2 million families have been ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda, and the death toll—in the thousands—is expected to keep climbing. The Filipinos are a resilient, strong, and nurturing people, but no one can recover from a disaster like this without help.
 
I landed in Manila last night, and I’ve been with dear friends, learning about the help that’s still needed. And that’s where you come in. I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of you who’ve reached out inquiring after my loved ones and wondering what you can do to help the relief efforts.
 
There are numerous, wonderful relief organizations around the world that have stepped up to help. Here are four relief organizations with whom the Philippine Development Board has been in direct contact:
 
The Ayala Foundation’s Disaster Relief program, in partnership with local organizations, can help those in urgent need of support. To donate from the U.S., go to: https://feedthehungryphil.org/donate/ and select “Ayala Foundation – Disaster Relief.”
 
Gawad Kalinga has 3 projects that are seeking donations: GK has already sent 18,500 packs of food and water and their target is to provide 50,000 in total; the organization needs resources to fix approximately 1,000 roofs; and they aim to build approximately 5,000 new housing units to relocate displaced families. Donate here: https://gk1world.com/typhoon-yolanda
 
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) coordinates volunteers who put together relief goods, 6,000 of whom have already been sent to the most devastated areas of the Philippines. PRC has also set up welfare desks to help families who are waiting to receive news from their loved ones in Yolanda-affected areas. Donate here: https://www.redcross.org.ph
 
The World Food Programme (WFP) is continually responding to emergencies, as the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger. WFP has sent 44 tons of high energy biscuits and rice to the Philippines, and is coordinating efforts to reach the most affected areas. Donate here: https://contribute.wfp.org/typhoon/mobile.html
 
I know we can count on you as the Filipinos voice their rally cry and begin the long road to recovery.
 
In friendship and with deep gratitude,
 
Sheila