MANILA -
Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, gave the
following rules when donating to victims of super typhoon "Yolanda."
1. CASH IS BETTER - It is better to give cash than small
amounts of relief goods. One hundred to 200 pieces of canned goods are a small
amount. What the victims need are truckloads of sardines, rice and ready to eat
food. Also, it is harder to sort goods that are of different kinds.
There is
also another reason why cash is better. "If we buy items in bulk, it is
cheaper," Pang said.
She said
the cash can also be used for cash-for-work programs or cash grants in
typhoon-hit areas. "We empower people to decide on what they want to
buy," she said.
2. GIVE CLOTHES WITH
"INTEGRITY." -
According to Pang, the Red Cross only gives clothes that are suitable for the
Philippine climate. Do not give clothes that are too thick. Also, do not give
clothes that are too sexy - something you cannot wear in an evacuation center.
Also, do
not give clothes that are too dilapidated and can't be used anymore.
"When
we give, dapat may integrity din so that when they wear it, they feel
good," Pang said.
3. DON'T GIVE COSMETIC SOAP - Typhoon victims need anti-bacterial
soap, not cosmetic soap. They also need anti-dandruff shampoo. Pang said the
relief goods given to typhoon victims must be high quality. The Philippine Red
Cross usually packs items for a family of 5. This means soap, 5 toothbrushes,
etc.
4. DON'T GIVE NOODLES - "For the first 3 days, ang
pinakakailangan ay food and water. It has to be ready to eat dahil wala silang
pang-luto," Pang said.
"Noodles
hindi advisable dahil pakukuluan unless there is water, pero kung wala - rice
and ulam sapat yun."
Pang said
canned goods should be in easy open cans because the victims have no can
openers. She said the Red Cross sometimes does not give utensils because it
just adds to the garbage.
The
Philippine Red Cross hotlines are 143, +632 527-0000, 09324995241 and
09175261957.
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