|
To the Johns Hopkins Medicine community
Dear Colleagues:
As you are aware, Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, ravaged the central islands of the Philippines last week and Vietnam remains within its force. This is a truly devastating time as the number of deaths rises and the destruction is assessed.
Many of us have colleagues, friends and loved ones who are directly affected by the loss of life and suffering from this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Philippines.
As you may be aware, the Johns Hopkins Go Team, a multidisciplinary disaster medicine group supported by CEPAR, has responded to crises in the past, such as the Haiti earthquake in 2010. As of today, the Go Team has no immediate plans to deploy to the Philippines; however, it is closely monitoring the situation and will consider any official request for its assistance.
Meanwhile, many non-government organizations are working to coordinate an international effort to provide food, water, shelter and other relief to the hundreds of thousands of residents who have lost their homes. Here's how you can help right now (source: USA Today):
- Catholic Relief Services is working with the government and other partners to maximize response and recovery efforts. Donations can be made online or by calling 1-877-435-7277. You can also make a check or money order out to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303.
- Lutheran World Relief has mobilized an initial emergency fund for typhoon response activities and is seeking $2.5 million to help communities recover. Donate to the typhoon fund online or by calling 1-800-597-5972, or send your donation to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061
- UNICEF staff in the Philippines are being repositioned to provide emergency aid and the organization is gearing up to deliver supplies to children and their families. Donations can be made online or by texting RELIEF to 864233 to donate $10.
- CARE teams are on the ground in the Philippines and the organization plans to provide emergency relief to thousands of families. Donations can be made online or by calling 1-800-521-CARE within the U.S. or +1-404-681-2552.
- World Vision is mobilizing nearly 500 staff around the country to respond to the disaster. Donations are accepted online and the organization also lets you sponsor a child in the Philippines.
- The American Red Cross has volunteers spread throughout the region and accepts donations online. You can also mail a check to your local American Red Cross chapter; please write "Philippines Typhoons and Flood" in the memo line.
- The U.N. World Food Programme is urging Americans to make donations to support its emergency food relief after Typhoon Haiyan. You can donate online or by texting the word AID to 27722 to donate $10.
- AmeriCares is deploying medical aid and a relief team to the Philippines, and says an emergency shipment with enough medical aid for 20,000 survivors is already on its way.
- The Philippine Red Cross has deployed staff and volunteers across the region. You can easily make a donation through the organization's website.
- To donate to the Salvation Army's Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts, visit its website or text TYPHOON to 80888 to donate $10 and reply YES to confirm your donation. The organization uses 100 percent of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief.
Going forward, updates on any JHM relief efforts will be posted on the Go Team website. Join us in keeping all our colleagues and their loved ones who have been affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Paul B. Rothman, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Ronald R. Peterson
President
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
EVP, Johns Hopkins Medicine |
