Philippines Flood Crisis Appeal - Please give generously

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is holding an appeal to assist our Philippines partners provide emergency medical help to marginalised families affected by recent flooding.

Manila under water. As with most catastrophes, it is the poorest who are hit the hardest.

Devastating floodwaters
Manila, the Philippines' capital and largest city, and surrounding provinces have been hit by two major typhoons in as many weeks, leading to flooding which has affected an estimated 2.4 million people, with 300,000 displaced by the rising floodwater.

ABC coverage of the Philippines floods

Like many of the major cities of South East Asia, Manila is situated on a flat, coastal plain, and, with the increased severity and frequency of typhoons in recent years, floods are having a devastating effect. When typhoons hit in quick succession - as Typhoons Saola and Haiku have done - it can lead to weeks of unrelenting downpours.

As with most catastrophes, it is the poorest who are hit the hardest. In Manila, the shanties of the poor are built on the lowest lying land and are the most susceptible to flooding.

The flooding has also affected the families who are part of our primary education and OH&S project on the garbage dump in Hapilan, Manila. One of the APHEDA-supported daycare centres was under 30cm of water and some of the children and their families had to be evacuated from their homes.

Not just homes have been flooded. Three hospitals in Manila have been flooded and forced to close.

How will donations be used?
Funds raised will be directed to one of our partners in the Philippines, Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED). COMMED will be setting up temporary health clinics and health services for marginalised families driven out of their homes by the rising floodwater.

COMMED works with newly-graduated doctors or nurses to volunteer for one year to work with urban poor or rural communities living far from any hospital.

If more funds are raised than are required for this appeal, the extra funds will be directed to our other partner in Manila, the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development, who provide health and primary education services to families working and living on Manila's garbage dump.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible

How to donate

Phone
If you wish to donate by phone, please contact Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA on 1800 888 674. You can also email office@apheda.org.au

Post or fax
You can also download the Donation Form below and post, fax or scan and email the completed form back to us.

Donate online
If you would like to donate online, please click here and select "One off donation - The Philippines" from the drop down menu in section C. ONE OFF DONATIONS and APPEALS (donations are tax deductible). Continue through to the next page to complete your details and finalise the donation.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Download File:
Philippines Flood Appeal Donation Form [ pdf ]
Contact Details
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA
Ph:  (02) 9264 9343
Fax: (02) 9261 1118
office@apheda.org.au

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 13-Aug-2012 14:43:20 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/news/1344576294_28344.html