NEWS RELEASE: Operation USA to Aid Recovery Efforts in the Philippines Following Typhoon Ruby

Los Angeles, Calif., December 8, 2014– Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief agency, confirmed today that it will aid communities in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby), which made landfall over the weekend in areas still recovering from the typhoon that ravaged the country one year ago. The organization will bolster ongoing efforts in the community of Guiuan, where a school is currently being reconstructed.

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 Super 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.

In-kind materials already stored at Operation USA’s warehouse are currently being prepped for shipment to the affected areas.

“It is disheartening to see our partner communities once again damaged by such a major storm after working so hard to overcome the devastation resulting from last year’s typhoon” said Richard Walden, CEO and President, Operation USA. “We need the generosity of our supporters now more than ever to help the affected communities keep recovery efforts on target and to avoid further setbacks in Guiuan, where we’ve focused our partnership this past year.”

Typhoon Ruby, which swept the country’s eastern shoreline over the weekend, has exacerbated conditions in already vulnerable communities where 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 has affected 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