$3.8 million raised by the Singapore Red Cross for victims of Typhoon Haiyan

$3.8 million raised by the Singapore Red Cross for victims of Typhoon Haiyan

The SRC will now focus on essential needs of affected communities which includes providing shelter, critical amenities like schools, medical centres and water and sanitation facilities, said Mr William. "The priority is to ensure that all donations are optimised and that the needs of individuals and communities affected by this devastating disaster are met in the choice and delivery of these projects," he added.


Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the full press release from the Singapore Red Cross:

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) in a press conference today announced progress made in its relief operations on the ground in the Philippines, since mounting emergency relief in the Visayas over the past two weeks. In addition to an advance team which distributed emergency relief items to the survivors in the areas of Cebu and Ormoc, two medical teams with six doctors and three nurses are currently in Ormoc providing much-needed healthcare to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

Since the launch of its public appeal for Typhoon Haiyan, SRC has received some S$3.8 million in donations. Mr. Benjamin William, Secretary General of SRC noted that, "We have received tremendous support from many individuals and organisations. Oxley Holdings' matching fund for example has strongly boosted our relief efforts".

On behalf of the SRC and in the witness of Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Chairman Tee Tua Ba received a one million dollar donation from Mr. Ching Chiat Kwong, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Oxley Holdings.

"We are very lucky to be residing in Singapore where we are protected from typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis. The worst weather condition that we face for example is a few days of continual rain! So we are in a good position to help, and that is what we should do. Through the dollar-for-dollar matching, we want to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan rebuild their lives, and at the same time encourage others to do the same," said Mr. Ching.

"Over the short span of two weeks we have received donations and help from people from all walks of life. I was particularly touched when I heard how Cleo Contreras, a ten-year old girl, who has contributed all her piggy bank savings to help the survivors," Mr. William shared.

"Without the strong support from donors and volunteers, our relief work could not have been possible," he added.

Touching on the next steps for SRC's relief efforts, Mr. William said, "Our teams are working with the Philippine Red Cross to help bring relief and medical aid to the affected communities. But providing immediate relief is not enough, we must also look ahead and start thinking about the critical work of rehabilitation and reconstruction".

"For the next phases, we will focus on essential needs of the communities. This will include shelter, critical amenities like, schools, medical centres and water and sanitation facilities. The priority will be to ensure that all donations are optimized and that the needs of the individuals and communities affected by this devastating disaster are met in the choice and delivery of these projects," he added.

At its headquarters, SRC has set up a Restoring Family Links (RFL) call centre to assist people who are looking for their family missing members in Philippines. Hitherto, the call centre has received over 40 calls and successfully connected one family.

The category 5 typhoon has affected more than 5 million, displaced up to 4 million and caused more than 4,000 deaths.

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