SE Asia disasters: One family member has lost everything

If you don't know, I'm half Filipino.  Many of my cousins have emigrated to the United States or Canada, but a few have a good (non-medical) education and/or a family business and have stayed behind.

The Philippines was recently hit by Typhoon Ondoy.  I know that one of my cousins' families lost everything in the flooding that accompanied the storm, and that the Metro Manila area has been particularly hard hit--very similar to New Orleans from Katrina.  The word from the family in the Philippines is that there is quite a bit of chaos due to the locations hardest hit and the widespread nature of the damage.  One of my other family members has a catering business and is using the equipment to help with relief efforts. 

Although I cannot vouch for the charities found on the site, I found one site that has a good collection of photos and videos that show what damage has been done, as well as coverage of yet another Typhoon--Parma (Peping), this time a Category 4 Hurricane equivalent--that is poised to strike the same general area.

Do not forget the Tsunami and Earthquakes in the SE Asia region, either.

This should serve as a reminder:

  • If you are reading this post, you are very fortunate.  You're probably dry and have shelter.  You can probably find food and a warm place to sleep.  Be thankful.  There are places in this world where no one has these luxuries within miles of where they are right now.
  • If you have some spare change, donate it to some relief organization.  The Red Cross has a disaster section on their front page or you can donate to the World Food Programme
As for my family, we're very fortunate to have big hearts in a big family.  We'll rally to help each other.  Some others aren't as fortunate.

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