By Arlene Paredes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Last updated 07:20:00 10/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino Bayanihan spirit is shining more brightly than ever and the regular Internet users, especially members of the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, are combining efforts to help typhoon victims. This is a fantastic initiative by different individuals who would like to assist donations/relief goods centers. If you are a member of these sites and would like to reach out to the victims, keep this guide handy the next time you log on:
Jet Skis/rubber boats/kayaks
Owners of Jet Skis and speedboats, please tweet @DivinemLee if you would like to be listed as rescue contacts. NGOs delivering relief goods also need your help when delivering goods to still heavily flooded areas.
Trucks
Owners of trucks, tweet @carlosceldran if you like to offer your trucks to transport relief goods. Organizations in need of trucks may also tweet him or add him on Facebook (Carlos Celdran) to get his mobile number for faster communication. He’s been doing an amazing job coordinating trucks and relief centers since Wednesday when mobile numbers of available trucks started getting posted and reposted with no one coordinating them with the appropriate relief centers.
Volunteers
Relief Center coordinators, tweet @crypticmess if you’re understaffed or overstaffed to help spread the volunteers in the right direction at any given time. Volunteers who are just about to leave their homes/offices may also tweet for information on understaffed centers.
Cars
If you need cars to transport relief goods, the friends of Twitter user Jiggy Cruz (@jiggycruz) have teamed up to address delivery issues. You may also tweet @crypticmess to forward your call for a car or if you would like to offer your car to help transport relief goods faster.
Sagip Kapamilya allows volunteers to transport the relief goods in their warehouse.
Important URLs (More information)
For a map of donations drop-off points, visit: http://twitpic.com/jhth9/full.
A comprehensive Google document is being maintained and updated by several volunteers to disseminate information on ways to help the victims of Ondoy. It’s availabe at this shortcut link: http://bit.ly/GSSOndoyHelp. (Just click on the name of the city/municipality nearest you. Click “Nationwide” for more ways to help.)
If you like to make a donation to Red Cross online, do so at this shortcut link: http://bit.ly/pZJHf
You may also donate to Red Cross via text/SMS: text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
Share your blessings in any way you can. You can help.
The author’s Twitter name is @crypticmess. You may e-mail her at: lhenparedes@gmail.com.
