Local Efforts for the Phillipines? (Huntsville, Franklin: live, military, airports)

[hey teach]

Other than the Red Cross, are there other efforts being organized to send assistance to the Phillipines from Huntsville?

[RatSnake]

Originally Posted by hey teach

Other than the Red Cross, are there other efforts being organized to send assistance to the Phillipines from Huntsville?

Many churches like The Rock are doing it through aid organizations that already have affiliates / local people on the ground.
- Samaritan's Purse
- WorldVision
- Compassion International

Do you due diligence. Many aid organizations don't have affiliates - so their supplies will likely waste away in some warehouse 500 miles away.

But the main problem really is logistics. Even for locals, they can't reach those disaster areas. Roads, bridges, ports and airports have been damaged. They are relying on helicopters, military cargo planes and smaller boats.

[CoreLysium]

I instinctively look up charities to see how legit/efficient they are, and I did now. I thought I'd post this because Samaritan's Purse knocks it out of the park in legit-ness. As does Compassion International.

Charity Navigator Rating - Samaritan's Purse
Charity Navigator Rating - World Vision
Charity Navigator Rating - Compassion International

That's a good collection of charities.

edited to add: Ah, they have an article there about what are the best charities that are helping in the Philippines. http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...9#.UoRuTuJdy70

Also of note, it doesn't matter if the charity is in Huntsville. Cash is what is needed. They aren't collecting trucks of bottled water.

[writerwife]

Samaritan's Purse is the one I always work through and I received a message about the Phillipines from them a few days back. That one is run by Franklin Graham, Billy's son. One of the most trustworthy charities where almost every penny goes directly to the cause. Personally, I haven't seen a local one but then, I have a small social circle.

[RatSnake]

From what I have heard from locals, there are lots of supplies.
What they need is a way to deliver the supplies reliably - this includes clearing the roads & runway, rebuilding (at least partially) the ports, restoring water supplies - and creating temporary shelters. This includes boots on the ground.

[hey teach]

I understand about materials wasting away. That is why I wanted to know who was planning a mission. Without the ability to transport, it doesn't do much good to collect.

[todd00]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

I instinctively look up charities to see how legit/efficient they are, and I did now. I thought I'd post this because Samaritan's Purse knocks it out of the park in legit-ness. As does Compassion International.

Good links and it is really smart to give to organizations where the funds will be used for the purpose intended. I believe the local Red Cross in the Philippines had some problems with money that went missing a few years ago. They have never been a favorite of mine. I have people over there, but luckily they were south of the path of this storm.

It's not something in news but they have a terrible stray animal problem in the Philippines. So I also feel very sorry for the dogs and cats that perished or are in need of food. Just as many of the people had no where to run, they too have had to endure and suffer.

They are getting lots of aid from other countries, I do hope it all goes to rebuilding better than before and helping those that lost everything. Years of corruption keeps this country from doing better. Thanks to all for caring and wanting to help.

[writerwife]

Well, I know that Franklin Graham was on TBN yesterday and they have portable hospitals, shelters and water purifiers and food for those folks but they said not nearly enough yet (they are in dire need) and somehow they're getting it there.
The red cross got their last dollar from me yrs ago. My husband was caught in a major hurricane area in fla and the red cross set up some tables of sandwiches and coffee (which had been donated) for the displaced victims but.. they were charging for it. Not a lot..but they were charging.

[DaMadHatter]

Well.. this is the red cross but local company "Dealnews" is matchign donations.

The DealNews $100,000 Fundraiser for Typhoon Relief