REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
If you've watched the news these past few nights you have undoubtedly been witness to the scenes of nature’s devastation, this time in the Philippines, a sight which we’ve seen far too many times lately. The scenes of people – men, women, and children – rifling through the wreckage of their homes searching for any treasured tokens of their life before Typhoon Haiyan hit is gut-wrenching. As with most tragedies it is the poor and those that can least afford the loss that are the most directly impacted; when already rickety and dilapidated structures with tin roofs are easily tossed aside like specks of dirt under the massive force of the typhoon’s path of destruction.
Motivated by the magnitude of damage and loss (local officials estimate around 10,000 dead when all rescue and recovery measures are done), I went online and made a donation to the Red Cross. There are any number of organizations offering a helping hand to those affected, including the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Doctors without Borders, to name a few. No matter what your situation, we can all make a small difference, whether through a monetary donation (nominal or larger, if you can), or by donating clothes or other necessary items to any number of Filipino organizations in your local area that might be organizing relief efforts for their country of origin, or by offering something as simple yet powerful as a prayer for those taken by the storm, and those left behind to struggle and suffer their loss.
It is during times of trial and sorrow when we should most come together, motivated by our common humanity. So next time you turn on the TV and take in the grief stricken faces of Filipinos and think of the pain and loss they have endured, imagine yourself in their shoes, walking those decimated streets; imagine your brother, sister or mother, sobbing for a lost home, memories, or worst loved ones; for we are all one human family and their tragedy should be our own.
Click on any of the links above and stand united with our extended human family across the globe.
