Aftermath of monster storm Yolanda codename Haiyan. More images courtesy of New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/11/09/world/asia/20131110_PHILIPPINES_HTML.html?ref=asia#1 
It is a truly humbling and horrifying thing for me to see the images and watch the news itself.
I wish nothing but the very best to those affected. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Regardless of color, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or ancestry, prayers can be a great comfort.
The strongest typhoon in the world and the most powerful ever to hit land smashed into the Philippines. Storm Yolanda with international code name Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, scoured the northern tip of Visayan region. About 10 million people live on the central island, where evacuations were ordered. People fled to storm shelters to escape from rising waters or safer ground before the intense rain and winds of 235 kilometres per hour (147 miles per hour), with gusts of 275 kph (170 mph).
According to reports, at least 1,200 were fear dead. About a million in the regions of Western, Central and Eastern Visayas were the worst affected wiping away buildings, washed away homes and levelling seaside homes.
Some of the most vulnerable people are also living in temporary shelters on the central Philippine island of Bohol who were affected by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake recently. It is also reported that some tourists in Boracay, a popular beach resort, were cutting their vacations short to get away from the possible danger.
Christmas is fast approaching. Sharing is caring which is the true meaning of Christmas. Let us find a way to help. If you would like to help the victims, please
!. Contact the Philippine Embassy or Consulate
2. The Philippine Red Cross
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, PO Box 280, Manila 1018
Hotline: 143
Trunk Line: +632-527-0000 Fax: +632- 527-0857
E-mail: prc@redcross.org.ph
or visit their website http://www.redcross.org.ph/
3. UNICEF
Visit their website for details http://www.unicefusa.org/
4. CARE
Visit their Website for details http://www.care.org/
5. Catholic Relief Services (founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe)
Telephone: 888-277-7575
Visit their website for details http://crs.org/
Please do not forget to earmark your donations ➡ “Typhoon Yolanda” code name Haiyan. Funds to support Red Cross efforts affected by the storm.
Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are the same thing but are called in different names in different parts of the world.
Safety tips
We all know that internet including social media is a great way to reach people. Beware and watch out on websites urging potential donors regarding disaster. After a catastrophic event happens, the scammers come out and take advantage. Spam e-mails, text messages or phone calls.
Search for the real charity website BY YOURSELF. Some e-mails contain links that could launch viruses or steal your personal information. With my experience in helping the less fortunate, the legitimate charities name usually end in ➡ DOT-ORG (.org) which you can see from the above-mentioned, whereas scammers will end with DOT-COM (.com).
Scammers are asking for cash donations or wire transfers to help while legitimate charities never use such tactics for fundraising or relief efforts. Most reputable charities won’t send you an email DIRECTLY by asking for money unless you provided your e-mail to them.
Again, donate only to legitimate charitable institutions.
It’s time to seriously think about global warming or climate change before it’s too late. It is not a theory but real.
Let us offer our prayers to the victims. Thank you. Hope you all have a great day. 🙂
