The Peace Corps Lends A Hand: Philippines Disaster Relief Effort

From The Peace Corps Press Office:

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 14, 2013 – In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, the Peace Corps would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations that have expressed interest in working with the agency to offer support to those affected by this devastating storm.

The Peace Corps and the Philippines have a long history. More than 8,700 volunteers have served in the Philippines since the Peace Corps was established in 1961 – more than any other country in the world.

Below find ways you can support relief efforts to help those in need in the Philippines.

The Peace Corps Philippines Country Fund helps fund volunteer and community projects through the  Contributing to this fund supports long-term development efforts throughout the country. One hundred percent of all contributions to the Philippines Country Fund are allocated to approved PCPP development projects that meet Peace Corps small grants guidelines. While donations to this fund may not support immediate disaster relief efforts, donations received may contribute to longer-term rebuilding efforts. 

The Peace Corps Emergency Relief Fund, a Peace Corps-focused Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund that is managed externally, provides financial assistance to Peace Corps volunteers and U.S. citizen-employees in the event of natural or man-made disasters and uninsured personal crises. In special circumstances such as widespread natural disasters, non-U.S. citizen employees and U.S.-citizen and non-citizen Personal Services Contractors may also be eligible for assistance if funding allows. Donate to the Peace Corps Emergency Relief Fund

The U.S. Government is providing $20 million in immediate humanitarian assistance that will deliver emergency shelter, food assistance, relief commodities, and water, sanitation and hygiene support to people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has compiled a list of reputable organizations collecting donations to address the most immediate needs. 

President Obama has encouraged Americans to support relief efforts in the Philippines. 

Use your computer skills to develop digital maps that will help Philippines relief workers reach those in need. For those with experience using OpenStreetMap, log on and trace satellite imagery to help the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team generate quality digital maps that will guide relief workers in the Philippines. Help the mapping effort here.

If you are a returned Peace Corps volunteer or a professional with at least 10 years of experience and are interested in traveling to the Philippines to volunteer, to Peace Corps Response, and we will be in touch if volunteer opportunities become available.

For questions on Philippines relief efforts, please contact Peace Corps’ Office of Gifts and Grants Management at donate@peacecorps.gov or 202-692-2170.