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How Austin Can Aid Philippines Typhoon Survivors (Update)

European Commission, Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection, http://flic.kr/ps/24ujFF
The coastal town of Ormoc in Leyte province, Philippines.

Update (Tuesday): A typhoon being called one of the worst in recorded history has rocked the Philippines, with officials fearing as many as 10,000 people dead and  tens of thousands of homes destroyed.

The southeast Asian country is home to nearly 100 million people, and nearly one-in-four families live in poverty. Super-typhoon Haiyan reportedly destroyed between 70 to 80 percent of structures in its path. The destruction has caused many relief organizations to mobilize.

Make a Local Contribution:

Austin-based Circle of Health Internationalworks with women in crisis areas to provide access to family, newborn and reproductive care, ensure womens’ safety and combat sexual assault and sex trafficking. 

Circle of Health International founder Sera Bonds recently spoke with KUT about their plans to assist in the Phillipines following typhoon Haiyan.  You can donate here.

Texas Flips, the Filipino students association​ at the University Of Texas at Austin, is accepting relief donations at its annual cultural night event.

The event is Saturday, Nov. 16 at UT's Student Activity Center auditorium, 7 p.m. 

National & International Contributions:

UNICEF is airlifting $1.3 million in disaster relief supplies to the Philippines. People can donate through their website or by texting RELIEF to 864233.

International relief organization Oxfam is accepting donations. “Making sure people have clean water, safe sanitation and a roof over their heads is our immediate priority,” the group says.

The World Food Programme is sending 44 metric tons of high-energy biscuits to feed 120,000 people. People can donate online or text AID to 27722.

The Philippine Red Cross is accepting donations towards creating a family tracking service.

People send their local American Red Cross a donation check with "Philippines Typhoons and Floods" in the memo line.

The Salvation Army World Service Office is accepting donations to for typhoon aid. The group says it "uses 100 percent of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief operations.”

Catholic Relief Services is aiding the government in setting up evacuation centers and potable water supplies.

Save the Children is seeking to protect children and aid families in recovering from the disaster. Ten percent of people's donations will go towards preparing for a future disaster.

World Vision plans to provide blankets and mosquito nets to those at evacuation centers.

Mercy Corps will be sending emergency responders to help victims meet basic human needs.

For Those Affected

Google has created a crisis map where you can see areas affected and evacuation centers.

Viber is a free Internet phone service that is allowing Filipinos to connect with their families.

Know of any Austin organizations or fundraisers related to the typhoon? Let us know in the comments.

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  • The vicious typhoon that raged through the center of the Philippines appears to have killed hundreds, if not thousands of people, and officials were reportedly struggling Sunday to distribute aid to survivors left homeless and destitute.