(PRWEB) November 10, 2013
Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief agency, announced today that it is assessing needs and preparing to aid communities in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Haiyan bears down on the country. The organization will call on long standing partnerships with local Filipino agencies to effectively aid recovery efforts.
Operation USA is calling for donations to aid in recovery efforts and funding for grant distribution to local agencies. The NGO is also seeking corporate partners across the healthcare, transportation, water purification, shelter construction and power generation categories to provide in-kind supplies of which there will be high need in areas affected by the typhoon, which many are calling the largest storm in history as winds approach 200 mph.
“We’ve been working in the Philippines and neighboring Vietnam for many years, and have many strong partnerships with organizations on the ground there,” said Richard Walden, CEO of Operation USA. “Typhoons, earthquakes, floods and famine have all created a need for support from agencies like ours which can provide assistance in generating access to clean drinking water, providing adequate shelter and delivering medical assistance--especially in the face of casualties resulting from a major storm such as this one.”
Such a major typhoon hitting the country this week will exacerbate an already weakened economy and transportation infrastructure, and make worse already poor living conditions for the 12 million residents of Manila and millions more in the surrounding areas and islands.
Operation USA has worked in the Philippines since 1986, providing water purification chemicals, shelter materials, medicines and medical equipment. The organization maintains strong working relationships with partner organizations on the ground through which recovery aid will be distributed following this week’s storm.
HOW TO HELP:
Donations to Operation USA will be allocated directly to relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines and surrounding areas and islands.
Donate online at donate.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, PO BOX 36188, Los Angeles, CA 90036-0188. Donations can also be made via text message: text AID to 50555 to donate $10. Text donations are collected for the benefit of Operation USA by the mGive Foundation and subject to the terms found at http://www.mGive.org/t.
Corporate donations supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts -- bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies, transportation and shipping services, shelter, power generation, water purification and medical supplies -- are also being requested.
United and Continental air miles can be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at http://www.united.com.
About OPERATION USA:
Founded in 1979, Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid throughout the world. The Los Angeles based non-government organization offers material and financial assistance to community-based organizations that promote sustainable development, leadership and capacity building, income generating activities, education, health services, and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people. Learn more at http://www.OpUSA.org.
Richard Walden is available as an expert source on Filipino affairs and international relief aid.
PRESS CONTACT:
Mary Dolan
Operation USA
mdolan(at)opusa(dot)org
323-413-2353