Pinoy community in UAE sets up donation boxes for Sendong victims

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates have set up donation boxes in Abu Dhabi to raise funds for Filipinos ravaged by Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) last weekend.

 

The donation boxes can be found at the bazaar stalls in the Philippine Embassy compound, news site Khaleej Times reported Tuesday.

 

Another donation box will be placed at the Twenty First Century Private Academy during the "Paskuhan" (Christmas) event on Friday, the same report added.

 

On the other hand, Bayanihan UAE, the umbrella organization of some 50 Filipino groups in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, will allocate Dh4,200 of its calamity fund. As of early Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed the number of fatalities at 957. A total of 49 people remain missing.  The number is already double the amount of fatalities from Storm Ondoy which struck Metro Manila and nearby provinces in 2009. Most of the fatalities lived along riverbanks. Cash donation a priority

 

The same Khaleej Times report said Filipino community leaders in the UAE met Sunday night to discuss ways to raise funds to help the victims.

 

Bal Junio, chairman of the Bayanihan UAE, said the victims need immediate help so “cash donation is the priority.” Aid in kind is also encouraged.

 

“It is easier to send money than goods as they (goods) could be delayed. We will channel the donations we receive through the Philippine Red Cross which is already based in the disaster-hit areas,” Junio was quoted in the report.

 

Junio said other initiatives by individual groups will be consolidated under Bayanihan which is working under the guidance of the Philippine Embassy and Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa. — RSJ, GMA News