BULLETIN: Operation USA Preparing for Recovery Efforts in the Philippines as Typhoon Gains Strength

Los Angeles, Calif., December 5, 2014– 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 the country braces for the impact of Super Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby). The organization will call on long standing partnerships with local Filipino agencies to effectively aid recovery efforts.

The NGO is calling for donations to aid in recovery efforts and is primarily 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 are still vulnerable since Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the country in November of last year. Monetary donations to supplement relief efforts and to support grants to local partner agencies are also being sought at this time.

“It is heartbreaking to see another storm of this magnitude bearing down on the Philippines after the country saw such massive destruction and suffering last year,” said Susan Fassig, Operation USA Programs Director. “We have developed a sincere friendship with the people of Guiuan this past year, and our commitment to the people in that community and the surrounding areas is now more important than ever.”

Such a major typhoon–with winds estimated to be upwards of 150mph and on track to reach the country’s eastern coastline by Saturday evening–hitting the country this week will exacerbate conditions in already vulnerable communities damaged in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, as residents have struggled to repair infrastructure and livelihoods over the past 12 months.

Operation USA has worked in the Philippines since 1986, providing water purification chemicals, shelter materials, medicines and medical equipment. The organization provided both immediate relief and long term recovery aid to the country following last November’s storm, with a special commitment to the city of Guiuan, in Eastern Samar. There, OpUSA and Honeywell reconstructed the Ngolos Elementary School, serving 250 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is set to officially open early in 2015. It is not yet known how this latest storm will affect the direct area where our partnership has been implemented.

HOW TO HELP:
Donations to Operation USA for this campaign will be allocated directly to relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines.

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 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 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 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@opusa.org
323-413-2353