Filipinos in New York City Mobilize Relief Efforts

November 14, 2013

The massive typhoon that slammed into the Philippines, causing the deaths of at least two thousand people and flattening entire cities, was merely the beginning of the suffering in that Pacific nation. Catastrophic food and water shortages and problems in the delivery of aid continue to worsen. New York City's Philippine-American community, which numbers around 50,000, is mobilizing to provide relief

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Thousands of kilometers and a world away from the epicenter of the storm, the predominantly Philippine neighborhood of Woodside was rocked by news of Typhoon Haiyan and the devastation it wrought. Residents here are doing what they can to help those caught in the typhoon's path.

Rommel Vel Rosario, who owns a shipping business, has turned it into a collection center for clothes, food and medical supplies. He's shipping them to relief organizations in the Philippines.

“I have to do something. I have to contribute. Nobody has any excuse,” said Rosario.

The need for massive international aid is obvious to Rachel Avendula, a former Philippine city official who is experienced in disaster relief. She’s angry at what she says has been an inadequate response from the Philippine government.

“I am happy there are survivors of the typhoon but I cannot accept that they die of hunger because of waiting for the relief to come - waiting for food, water to come. We need to act now,” said Avendula.