(Alexandria, VA) Nov. 11, 2013—As Islamic Relief teams from around the world begin distributing aid to typhoon survivors in the Philippines, Islamic Relief USA is boosting its goal—now aiming to send $1 million in relief.
Teams from Islamic Relief offices around the world rushed to the Philippines to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, and the workers are distributing urgently needed supplies to residents struggling amid the devastation. Islamic Relief USA’s Disaster Assistance Response Team manager, based in the Virginia headquarters, also has arrived in the Philippines to assist with the relief effort.
Donors in the United States are responding generously to the appeal for help, and Islamic Relief USA has increased its target to $1 million in aid.
“At this time, our prayers and our actions are with the people of the Philippines,” said Anwar Khan, Chief Operating Officer. “As our staff begin the distributions, we are seeing the scale of this tragedy. We’re encouraging everyone from all faiths and nationalities to help.”
Typhoon Haiyan—called Yolanda in the Philippines—is one of the strongest storm to hit land in recorded history. Winds of nearly 150 mph, with gusts close to 200 in some areas, drove huge waves into the central Philippines Friday, Nov. 8, flattening homes and devastating towns and villages. Thousands of people are estimated to have been killed. According to UNOCHA, as of Nov. 12, more than 670,000 remain displaced. In total, more than 11 million people are affected in nine regions across the Philippines.
IRUSA has been providing emergency humanitarian relief for 20 years. Here’s more information about IRUSA’s Philippines relief efforts.
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
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