Grateful for the food I eat
As of Today at 12:00 GMT the Philippine's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported around 1,871,321 people that have been displaced or without shelter in the Philippines due to Typhoo Haiyan with United Nations estimating 4,460 dead and still 1,187 considered missing. This typhoon has been called the largest land disaster ever recorded.
The other day my boyfriend Nik, who is of Filipino heritage, and i were sitting down to lunch at a kabob place here in D.C. While we were eating we were watching the news on Haiyan and I couldn't help but sit and cry there over my food. To me, one of the most horrifying parts of a disaster like a typhoon or an earthquake is how basic human needs like water and food are completely demolished. The area of the Philippines that was hit was a historically poor one, lacking a lot of basic infrastructure and response ability in a disaster.
We kept seeing videos of people crying for food or water because all the fresh water available was contaminated with salt water or not accessible. We both decided that we wanted to help and unfortunately the only real way we can do that here is to donate.
I spent a while comparing different places to donate to. UNICEF, American Red Cross, Christian Child's Fund. Each one does great things, but I wanted to choose one that would help everyone, not just children. I also wanted to donate somewhere that doesn't have a crazy admin overhead like the Red Cross (which can be up to 24%). That's when I remember the United Nations World Food Programme. I knew they were run by the UN so I assumed they would have a low overhead. The UN Food Programme's mission is to deliver food and water to as many individuals possible. Since they're run by the UN and well established, they're able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of pounds of food relief to the Philippines more easily than smaller organizations and they're ranked 5 stars on Charity Navigator which is the result of a number of variables, one being their giving to donation ratio. On their website they say $100 can help deliver 1,000 biscuits to people in need of food. For more information about their efforts and mission you can see them here.
I ended up donating to a supporter fundraising effort under the World Food Program USA that's goal is to raise $15,000 in funds for the Philippines. This fundraising page is the Kappa Phi Lambda, Asian Interest Sorority page which I chose because a best friend of mine is in Kappa Phi Lambda at GW. If you'd also like to donate to their donation fundraiser, donate here.
I think many charities are doing a wonderful difference. I'm just writing to share which one I chose. I feel so lucky for the life I have now and the food that I can eat and I think it's important that I share that with others.
For your reference
Statistics: BBC News
UN World Food Programme
Kappa Phi Lambda Fundraising Page
Charity Navigator
