finluithiel | typhoon ondoy

Credit: Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty

Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name KETSANA) caused flash floods in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas yesterday. More than 51 people were killed and 250,000 displaced after the typhoon intensified the southwest monsoon and dumped more than an entire month's worth of rain in just 6 hours. Ondoy triggered the worst floods in the metro in nearly 40 years, with some areas having water levels that rose up to 5 meters (16.4 feet). Around 80% of Metro Manila is submerged in floodwater, and there are areas that still have no electricity.

Credit: Jay Directo/AFP/Getty

What can YOU do to help?

Relief operations through the Office of Student Affairs, Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Schools:
Monday, Sept. 28 Schedule: 6am, start of operations (receiving, sorting, repacking of goods) and 1pm, start of deployment to several areas. Every 2 hours after that, there will be deployments. They need donations and a LARGE number of volunteers!

If are unable to donate goods or take part in relief operations, you can make monetary donations to the Philippine Red Cross, either directly or through SMS. To those who live in Canada and US who wish to help, you may donate through the American Red Cross. Just call 1-800-435-7669.

Please help spread the word. Help undo the damage Ondoy has caused!