Yolanda Updates

A giant Christmas lantern with the colors of the Philippine flag is seen in a devastated area in Tacloban, Philippines, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. Mostly, Christmas is a celebration amid deprivation, in tents, makeshift homes and damaged churches in the city devastated by the Nov. 8 typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan). AP/Achmad Ibrahim

Dec. 24, 2012

Petilla: Power restored in Yolanda-hit areas

Dec. 23, 2013

PAGCOR gives P2-B for classrooms in Yolanda-hit areas
NDRRMC: Yolanda death count hits lull again

Dec. 22, 2013

Fil-Canadian soldiers deployed for Yolanda mission: Canadian Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Abando (left) and Canadian Army Major Jay Manimtim. (Michaela del Callar photo.*)

Yolanda devastation breaks heart of Fil-Canadian troops
UN chief Ban urges foreign donors to step up donations for Yolanda-hit PHL
SM Group to build 200 houses for Yolanda survivors

Dec. 21, 2013

UN chief to Yolanda survivors: 'Never despair, world is behind you'
Ban Ki-moon to PH: ‘Don’t lose hope’

Dec. 20, 2013

Yolanda survivors find little comfort in new accommodation
UN chief Ban arrives in Manila en route to typhoon-ravaged Tacloban
Surviving Yolanda: The soldier and the boy reunited
UFC star Mark Munoz to donate MMA seminar proceeds to Yolanda victims

Dec. 19, 2013

LINE sticker campaign raises P24M for Yolanda victims
Philippines launches $8.2 billion typhoon recovery plan
DOE: 93 pct power restored in Yolanda-hit areas
Seoul-based Pinays give boats to Yolanda-hit fishermen

Dec. 18, 2013

Packages of instant cup noodles and canned sardines are part of the materials of this lantern entry at this year’s UP Lantern Parade in UP Diliman, December 18, 2013. The cup noodles were later collected by the school as part of its relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Yoldanda. Photo by Romsanne Ortiguero, InterAksyon.com.*

UP Lantern Parade 2013 aims to raise funds for Typhoon Yolanda survivors
Disaster Response Put to the Test: Lessons from Typhoon Yolanda
Kerry visits Tacloban; US sends $25M in new typhoon aid

Dec. 17, 2013

Filmmaker spends $25K marketing budget from Hollywood for 'Yolanda' victims
Lacson: Yolanda rehab budget not enough
UN supplies seeds for typhoon-hit PH farmers
Taiwanese students offer free hugs for 'Yolanda'

Dec. 16, 2013

OPM artists’ prayer for Yolanda victims
Aid agencies launch $791 million plan to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors
Survivors attend 'Simbang Gabi' in Yolanda-hit town
Mickey, Minnie Mouse to help 'Yolanda' survivors
12 Yolanda-hit towns still have no power

Dec. 15, 2013

Yolanda death toll rising by 8 daily
WATCH: 'Yolanda' survivors perform at 'Kwento ng Pasko'
CDeO prepares memorial mass for Sendong; will send convoy to Yolanda-stricken towns

Dec. 14, 2013

Gift of Hope Holiday e-card*

GK Canada launches Gift of Hope Holiday e-card campaign for Haiyan survivors
Aquino defends Roxas in word war with Tacloban mayor
Malls make Christmas a season of joy and giving
One Tacloban prepares memorable “Pacuarenta” for those who perished during Yolanda onslaught

Dec. 13, 2013

Simbang Gabi collections in Japan for 'Yolanda' victims
Sluggish count: Haiyan deaths breach 6,000
Roxas to Zamboanga: You are not left out
ADB earmarks additional $350-M loan for post-Yolanda rehab

Dec. 12, 2013

British relief worker: Typhoon victims 'incredibly resilient' people
53,000 bags of rice released distributed to 'Yolanda' victims
Truth and lies on Yolanda response

Dec. 11, 2013

DSWD: Five countries left in Yolanda relief ops
Barbie Live! Meet-and-Greet fundraising affair for Yolanda survivors
More 'Yolanda' fundraisers from students, photogs

Dec. 10, 2013

Agonizing wait for the missing in post-Yolanda wastelands
Justin Bieber visits typhoon victims in Philippines after launching worldwide campaign for aid
Manhattan school community shares part of their homes with Yolanda victims
Yolanda’s reminder for Kobe Bryant - a 'bad' first game really isn’t so 'bad'

Dec. 9, 2013

Yolanda deaths now at 5,936; missing still at 1,779
Yolanda relief fundraiser promises 'exclusive' hang out with Justin Bieber
Kerry to visit PH typhoon areas

Dec. 8, 2013

New homes for 2,800 families by Christmas
Thank you, Lethbridge, for aiding typhoon victims
PH residents struggle to rebuild their lives after Yolanda
Government caravans and the post-Yolanda market divide
Inclusion of disaster management in school curriculum pushed
No place like home: Habitats from oceans deep to mountains high

Dec. 7, 2013

PICKING UP PIECES. Residents of Hernani, Eastern Samar begin the long road of rebuilding their community after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Photo by Franz Lopez/Rappler

Yolanda survivors determined to hope
‘Roofless, not hopeless’: The resilience of Yolanda survivors
Experiencing Yolanda: An American traveler's thoughts
Salceda urges world to remit if they emit

Dec. 6, 2013

Dismal attendance in reopened schools in Yolanda areas
ADB approves $500-M loan for Yolanda rehab
More effort sought to protect women left ‘vulnerable’ by Yolanda
Christmas tree lighting Sunday

Dec. 5, 2013

NDRRMC : Yolanda deaths climb to 5,759
Asean youth summit delegates help in rehabilitation efforts
EDC loses 'billions' in Leyte devastation; Yolanda damage may wipe out 2013 profit
From Oplan Hatid to Oplan Trabaho, the ‘charity SWAT team’ keeps giving

Dec. 4, 2013

Blame Yolanda damage on lack of nat'l land use law
Nancy Binay: Probe slow Yolanda response
Kerry to tackle Haiyan in PH visit
Douthit pledges support for Yolanda victims in SEAG quest
David Pomeranz to hold concert for Yolanda victims

Dec. 3, 2013

Canada new ambassador reiterates commitment to assist 'Yolanda' victims

Lacson to head rehab of Yolanda-hit provinces. At a weekly media forum in Manila on Monday, December 2, former Senator Panfilo Lacson assured that areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda would be rehabilitated within the next three years, before President Benigno Aquino III's term ends. Lacson, who was appointed rehabilitation czar by Aquino, added that he will ensure all victims of Yolanda are equally given assistance from the government. Danny Pata

PNoy: ‘No-nonsense’ Lacson will deliver on Yolanda rehab task
ILO: 100,000 jobs available for Yolanda victims
Faster insurance claims processing for Yolanda victims

Dec. 2, 2013

PNoy chooses controversial Ping Lacson to head post-Yolanda reconstruction
Agri Dept. sees palay output growing slower at 4% post-Yolanda
Pacquiao brings momentary cheer to Yolanda survivors in Tacloban
Makati university to accept Yolanda-affected students
Gov't to replant trees in Yolanda-hit areas

Dec. 1, 2013

Goods, including those from looting, return in Tacloban
Actor Paul Walker tweeted about ‘Yolanda’ relief efforts days before death
Jersey City teacher seeks donations for typhoon victims
Knights of Rizal to stage run for Yolanda victims

Nov. 30, 2013

Pacquiao win cheers up Tacloban fans. Filipinos at temporary shelters in typhoon-ravaged central Philippines erupted in jubilation after boxing hero Manny Pacquiao thumped American Brandon Rios to clinch the WBO welterweight crown in Macau on Sunday. Fans watched the Pacquiao-Rios fight at a free public screening at the RTR Plaza in Tacloban City. (Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBN.com)*

Brain Pickings: Trivia Night for Philippines Disaster Relief set Nov. 26, 2013
‘Yolanda’ Fundraiser Updates
Yolanda survivors in Tacloban raise voices, flags as Pacquiao prevails over Rios
CPP extends 'Yolanda' truce to Christmas eve, Army welcomes longer respite
Tacloban folk continue recovery effort from Yolanda devastation

Nov. 23, 2013

UN: Prioritize power after Haiyan
Childhood a victim of killer typhoon Yolanda
In Tacloban, creating an oasis where children can be children, and safe
Death toll feared to hit 7,000 as over 1,600 remain missing 2 weeks after Yolanda (with video)

The Dutch raised about Euro 15 million during the recent national Dutch TV appeal for the Philippines.*(GK Europe update).

"Collaboration More Important Than Pity"
A Tale of Two Relief Operations

Nov. 22, 2013

Let’s Shop at T&T and help typhoon ‘Yolanda’ victims
Visayas coconut farmers face ruin after Typhoon Yolanda

Nov. 21, 2013

Official Yolanda death toll breaches 4k mark, with 1,602 missing
Haiyan (Yolanda) Update: New Zealand Newspaper Excludes Government Agencies in Donor Agencies List to Avoid Money Being Stolen by Corrupt Filipino Politicians
ILO team assesses Yolanda’s damage in Negros
Typhoon resistant evac centers eyed

Nov. 20, 2013

Basketball after typhoon Haiyan* AP photo

Typhoon Haiyan: Amid the ruins, a basketball game breaks out
Typhoon Haiyan: UK charity appeal raises £50m
UN gathers $193M for Typhoon Yolanda victims
Animal rights group comes to the rescue of typhoon Yolanda's furry survivors
Grisly race to identify Pinoys killed by Typhoon Yolanda
Fishermen adrift after Typhoon Yolanda takes livelihood
Mapping the Destruction of Typhoon Haiyan
Philippines counts the cost of Typhoon Yolanda

Nov. 19, 2013

Filipino-Canadians display generosity at GKC fundraising
Yolanda-hit Leyte geothermal plant key to restoring power in Visayas
‘Help us’ — Isolated typhoon Yolanda victims clamor for food
Fil-Dutch siblings sell cupcakes to help Yolanda victims
A 'Yolanda' victim becomes a hero
ARMM sends more aid to 'Yolanda' victims

GK Executive Director, Luis Oquiñena, Message for GK Friends & Partners.*

Marcos defends Tacloban mayor on ‘Yolanda’ response, asks why DSWD ‘seized’ goods

Nov. 18, 2013

Team GK in Antique. A new GK village will rise in this upland barangay in San Remigio, Antique in partnership with the barangay, the mayor / municipality and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. GK’s Operation Walang Iwanan (No One Gets Left Behind) is in motion in this town (Photo posted by Sheila Abella).

Haiyan (Yolanda) Update: $700 Million Insurance Bill for Philippines; 5.1 Million Workers Lose Source of Livelihood (videos)
Yolanda survivor: Rich typhoon victims are prioritized in Tacloban(video)
Kids orphaned by Yolanda find stop-gap home in Tacloban
For information about GK Canada’s initiatives to help the victims of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda please click here.
‘Darkest night over’: Aid flowing into Yolanda typhoon zone
Airlift extends lifeline to remote ‘Yolanda’ survivors
Saudi King donates $10 million for Yolanda victims
Corruption magnifies effects of Typhoon Yolanda
Three Canadian military choppers to head to Philippines to help in relief effort

Nov. 17, 2013

Survivors hoist a Philippine flag on a fishing boat that was washed ashore and hit shanty houses at typhoon-hit Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, hit the country's eastern seaboard Nov. 8, leaving a wide swath of destruction. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Newborns Fight for Life in Chapel-Hospital
Yolanda death toll climbs to 3,637; damage at P10.33B
Aid agencies say typhoon shows need for action on climate change
Bodies disposal progress slow as search continues in typhoon-struck Visayas
Typhoon Haiyan and the language of disaster
Philippines aid begins at home: Social media helps local people prevent spread of illness following Typhoon Haiyan
LOCAL NEWS: LBC (Scarborough-Ontario) to ship donations for the victimes of Typhoon Yolanda free of charge

Nov. 16, 2013

Kapit Kamay sa Pagdamay (Together in Compassion) Emergency Fundraising for ‘Yolanda’ Victims
ANC Lists: 5 inspiring stories in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda
Childless Tacloban man happy to save 4 children from ‘Yolanda’ surge
Video: Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda living on dirty drainwater before Goal aid arrives

Empire State Building dons PHL colors for Yolanda victims
UK, Canada step up aid to Yolanda victims; Japanese soldier's son donates P87k
Arnel Pineda, Journey to donate $350k to help Yolanda relief efforts
Thai musicians organize day-long event to help 'Yolanda' victims
A tale of rescue and survival amid Yolanda's fury
'Yolanda' was like the 'angel of death,' says prelate of Palo
Damage from Yolanda now at P10.3 billion – NDRRMC

Nov. 15, 2013

Japanese pre-schooler Shoichi Kondoh donated his childhood savings to the victims of typhoon Yolanda after seeing on TV the devastation of the super typhoon’s wrath (Photo courtesy of GMA News Online).

Pre-schooler Donates Piggybank Savings For Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ Victims
"In every report we have shown how strong the Filipino people are" (with video)
Death toll jumps to 4,000 in Tacloban as US carrier unloads food, water
Typhoon Haiyan Philippines: Mass Burial Held for Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) Victims in Tacloban
Drilon calls for unity amid Yolanda devastation
Task Group ‘Yolanda’ focuses on retrieval of bodies, road clearing in Tacloban

Nov. 14, 2013

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) Update: Mass Burials Begin in Tacloban, Philippines (with video)
Dead remain unburied, survivors still struggling in aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (with video)
UN: $301M needed for Yolanda action plan; int'l aid total now at P2.585B
Yolanda Update from the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
Local, foreign medical teams to help Yolanda victims
Why was Typhoon Yolanda so strong? Scientists chime in
Filipinos in Southern California unite for Typhoon Yolanda relief

Nov. 13, 2013

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) Update: Humanitarian Disaster Deepens, Even as Help Begins to Arrive
Typhoon Yolanda to trim PHL economic growth
Typhoon Haiyan: Before and after

Gawad Kalinga Relief Efforts

Live streaming is now up and running on GK Operation Walang Iwanan. The live feed from North and South Metro Manila will feature inspirational talks and sharing from GK volunteers. Updates on the relief efforts in the affected areas including Antique, Cebu, Iloilo and Negros Occidental are featured here.

How you can help

Millions of lives have been impacted by what is said to be the strongest storm surge on record. Survivors are now looking for food and water among the rubble and the dead. Bodies have floated ashore, are hung on trees and litter the streets of Tacloban, the hardest hit in Leyte island. The city now resembles a garbage dump with most (if not all) of its buildings flattened. In smaller villages which relief operations are yet to reach, there are reports of small children dying from hunger. Here in Canada, we receive these updates with grave concern, with immense sadness and indescribable pain in our hearts. But we can do more than being spectators. We can reach out and help. Gawad Kalinga Canada is accepting donations for typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ All eligible donations to GKC will be matched by the Canadian government dollar for dollar which will go the immediate needs of the victims.

Where your donations will go

Donations coursed through GKC will be used for the urgent rehabilitation, relocation and reconstruction of damaged homes regardless of location and beneficiary. This is consistent with GKC's mandate to help build permanent shelters for those in dire need.

Rehabilitation of Damaged Homes. GKC will support initiatives to rehabilitate damaged homes in GK villages, including those in surrounding areas. Initial estimates show that 1000 units need to be rehabilitated in the affected areas.
Relocation and Reconstruction. GKC will support the building of new housing units to relocate displaced poor families. This will help free up space in crowded evacuation centres. Initial estimates show that 5000 units in Leyte need to be relocated and reconstructed. GK has the capability to undertake this project and is gearing up to build more units.

Donate TODAY!

Join our Emergency Fundraising for ‘Yolanda’ Victims
Nov. 16, 2013. 6:30 p.m.
The Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure (Parish Hall)
1300 Leslie Street, Toronto
South of Lawrence and South of Edward Gardens

We will have vendors, food and entertainment. All proceeds will go to ‘Yolanda’ victims.