Typhoon Relief

Monday, 11 November 2013 12:44

The Woodstock-Oxford Rotary Club rallies to help those devistated by the "Super Typhoon", Haiyan

It's a scene of complete devastation in the Philippines.

It's been a couple of days since Typhoon Haiyan blew through the cluster of islands with winds in excess of 300km/h.

Thousands have lost their homes and are living out of evacuation shelters.

There's a desperate, immediate need for food, medicine and water.

Grace Balankig, a Woodstock resident who is a native of the Philippines has lived through many typhoons, but says those storm pale in comparison to the "Super Typhoon" that hit late last week. "In a year we get about 20 typhoons, but not as strong as this one. The most would be a 'Signal number 3', which is about 125km/h winds, but this one was more than 300. The wind is just a howling, it's so eerie when you hear the typhoon."

Balankig has been in touch with her children, family and friends. She says while their home was able to sustain the winds in excess of 300km/h, other areas have been completely destroyed. "It's very dangerous. There's still some debris there and you never know what's going to happen. They (children) go out and tell me what's near our community, but through my friends as well they're sending me photos and telling me stories. People are in bad need of medicine, water and food."

Balankig is asking to local residents to support relief efforts by donating through the Woodstock-Oxford Rotary Club. "I'm appealing to all the people to please give help to the Philippines. We'll make sure from our end (Rotary) that it will go to the people who need it most."

Click here to support their effort.

To make matters worse, another category 1 storm to blowing through the country today.

The official death toll is 950, but there are said to be uncounted bodies lying in the streets, and there are fears the toll could rise to 10,000.

The Canadian government, meantime, is considering sending the Disaster Assistance Response Team.