TPRF Donates Funds for Disaster Relief in Wake of Typhoon in Philippines

AmeriCares and Mercy Corps to use funds for ongoing relief work

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A special appeal by The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has resulted in donations to two groups to further ongoing efforts in the wake of the devastation left by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

International nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organizations Mercy Corps and AmeriCares will each receive US$50,000 from TPRF to further independent campaigns in the wake of what Philippines officials say is the deadliest storm in that nation's modern history. The funds represent a match by TPRF of $50,000 raised through TPRF's Typhoon Haiyan Relief campaign.

News agencies report that Haiyan, which struck in early November, has to date claimed more than 6,100 lives, displaced 4.1 million people and damaged 1.14 million houses, half of which were completely destroyed. Official estimates are that nearly 15 million people were affected by the typhoon and that full reconstruction efforts by the government will cost around $8 billion over the next four years.

Immediate needs, say representatives on the scene for AmeriCares and Mercy Corps, have to do with supplying critical medicines and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in the hardest-hit areas, rushing relief aid to medical teams, and delivering food and safe drinking water to citizens in remote areas.

Garrett Ingoglia, Vice President of Emergency Response for AmeriCares, says his organization will use TPRF funds to repair and refurbish four health stations as part of plans to rehabilitate or reconstruct permanent health facilities damaged or destroyed by the storm. "The key objective of this project," he said, "is to provide operational relief as well as support the revitalization of the overstretched public healthcare system."

Mark Ferdig, Senior Team Leader for Mercy Corps' Philippines Emergency Response, says TPRF funds will be used to assist with relief and recovery efforts for people in remote, hard-to-reach locations. "Our overall objective," he says, "is to lay the groundwork for longer-term recovery."

AmeriCares and Mercy Corps have served as TPRF partners in the past, including relief efforts in Haiti, Japan and Ethiopia.

TPRF is continuing to accept donations to aid the Philippines.

About The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF)
Founded in 2001, The Prem Rawat Foundation strives to address the fundamental human needs of food, water and peace so that people can live with dignity, peace and prosperity. For more information, visit www.tprf.org.

SOURCE The Prem Rawat Foundation