Mudslide in the Philippines
Disaster Overview
A massive mudslide triggered by two weeks of heavy rains buried hundreds of houses and an elementary school on the Philippine island of Leyte on the morning of Feb. 17, 2006.
According to news reports, more than 1,800 residents are missing and approximately 500 houses are feared buried in Guinsahugon village, located 416 miles
(670 km) southeast of the capital city of Manila.
Government search-and-rescue teams are currently on site, as are teams from the Philippine National Red Cross Society (PNRC). Search-and-rescue operations by the government, the Red Cross and others are being hampered by ongoing rains and the threat of additional landslides in the area.
Red Cross Response
American Red Cross
Based on the initial appeal by the Federation, the American Red Cross will support the PNRC disaster response through a contribution of $50,000 to the Federation’s response activities.
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation through regular contact with the affected national society, the Federation and other partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement).Depending on the emerging needs and the response by the Federation and other Movement partners, the American Red Cross may engage in future relief activities, including providing personnel, supplies, technical assistance or restoring family links (family tracing) services.
Philippine National Red Cross Society
The Philippine National Red Cross Society (PNRC) is engaged in a full range of rescue and relief activities. Chapter Disaster Response Team and other volunteers of the Southern Leyte Chapter were immediately deployed to the affected area to assess the situation and needs and to provide rescue, first aid, medical interventions and retrieval. In addition, a 15-person team from the PNRC Disaster Response Team
is being deployed.
The PNRC arranged for the transportation of relief goods such as food, water, medicine, health kits, blankets, mosquito nets, rain coats, tents, radio communication facilities, power generators, trauma kits and body bags.
A relief plane from the capital of Manila carrying supplies is flying to the disaster-affected area.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) remains in close contact with the affected national society in order to monitor the situation and to coordinate the overall response by other national societies.
Based on its initial assessments, the Federation requested a preliminary emergency appeal for $1.52 million USD to support the relief operation being led by the PNRC. These funds will be used to purchase items such as cooking utensils, mosquito nets, temporary shelter materials, health and hygiene articles, water containers and purification tablets for survivors during the next six months.
A Coordinated Effort
The American Red Cross role in responding to an international disaster is different from its response to a disaster in the United States. It works in a coordinated manner with many global partners, taking into consideration how the organization can provide unique, specialized assistance in the areas where it can best help.
The American Red Cross works alongside other national Red Cross societies from around the world, and the Federation helps coordinate the response efforts of the various societies to minimize a duplication of efforts and to ensure coverage of relief needs.
Finding Missing Loved Ones
At this time, International Disaster Welfare Inquiries regarding non-U.S. citizens in areas of affected by this disaster are not being accepted through the Red Cross. The affected national Red Cross society is fully engaged in relief activities and has not yet indicated their capacity to accept these inquiries. The American Red Cross will provide updates as they become available.
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens who living in or visiting a disaster-impacted area should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.
Inquiries regarding U.S. military personnel stationed in the Philippines should be directed to the Armed Forces Emergency Services at 1-877-272-7238. |
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For U.S. citizen abroad, call Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 |
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For U.S. military personnel, call Armed Forces Emergency Services at 1-877-272-7238 |
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the International Response Fund |
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation to:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
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The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
About Offers to Volunteer
While the American Red Cross deeply appreciates the compassion and generosity of those who offer to volunteer internationally, the organization maintains a specially-trained team of relief workers experienced with responding to international disasters of this nature. The American Red Cross does not anticipate a need for additional international volunteers at this time.
The Red Cross is a volunteer led and driven organization that responds to domestic disasters - big and small - on a daily basis. Red Cross volunteers help their neighbors recover from the so-called "silent disasters" such as house fires that don't make headlines even though they can be as devastating to the victims as large scale disasters. Red Cross volunteers also may register with their local chapters for deployment to help with relief efforts in response to large-scale (regional or national) disasters such as hurricanes.
To get involved and learn more about becoming a domestic volunteer, contact your local chapter. |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
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Or, visit VolunteerMatch.org to search for Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
The American Red Cross is not able to accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief supplies. The decision to transport bulk donations from the U.S. is based solely on the needs identified by the relief operation and the availability of local resources. If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Media Inquiries
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL Medial Requests ONLY: Please call Disaster Public Affairs |
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Call 202-303-5551 |
LOCAL Media: Please contact the American Red Cross Chapter nearest you.
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Find the closest Red Cross Chapter |
Public Comments or Questions
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page. |
Additional Resources
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