Red Cross appeals for aid for victims of typhoon Haiyan |21 November 2013

The Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS), in collaboration with the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) and Rotary Club, has set up a national committee to mobilise funds in aid of victims of typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) which made landfall on November 8 in the Phillipines.

At its first meeting held on Monday, the committee discussed how Seychelles can best respond to the needs of the victims of this typhoon and its members agreed on strategies, procedures, guidelines, a memorandum of understanding and assigned responsibilities among themselves.

The local public appeal launched by RCSS and its partners is for people in Seychelles to provide assistance to the affected populations in the Phillippines.

RCSS, DRDM and the Rotary Club are calling upon all organisations, institutions, foundations, corporations, private entities and the public in general to contribute financially by writing cheques to this bank account: BARCLAYS BANK No: 101069230 (for Seychelles rupees only) and No: 109982601 (for US dollars only) or directly to any of the three organisations, namely, the Red Cross Society of Seychelles, Division of Risk and Disaster Management and the Rotary Club.

The typhoon and subsequent storm surges have resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure, making access a challenge. Authorities in the Phillipines are still determining casualty figures, with the latest update released by the government indicating over two million families (9.67 million people) affected across 41 provinces, with 128,303 families (615,774 people) sheltered in 1,440 evacuation centres, while up to 36,646 families (182,474 persons) have sought alternative shelter with family or friends.

While a clearer picture of the actual scale and scope of this emergency is expected to emerge gradually as access to isolated areas improves and damaged communication systems are restored, the humanitarian needs are massive.