As you may know by now, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) made landfall in Dulag, Leyte. There is currently no communication with the VFV Team as we are continuing to endure a communication black-out with Tacloban City and most of Leyte. For now, I am attempting to provide as many updates as possible from Manila until full communication can be restored. As of 3:30AM Saturday 9th November, there is no expected estimate on when telecommunication services will resume. For now we are following reports via local and international sources in both the media and across widespread social networks. We are also sourcing as much info as possible from Taclobanons located outside the city.
Based on widespread media reports, coastal areas appear to have been the worst affected as a result of large storm surges. There has also been varying degrees of flooding throughout the city.
This is not VFV’s first rodeo when it come’s to natural disasters, the team and homestays have many years of experience in dealing with tropical typhoons so we urge people to stay calm and follow updates as and when they occur.
For concerned parents, sponsors and partners, please note we are trying to provide as many updates as possible via the Volunteer for the Visayans Facebook Page and Twitter accounts. If you are a concerned parent, sponsor or partner and wish to be connected with a contact telephone number in Manila, please send a direct message via our Facebook Page and I will do my very best to accommodate you.
For now, two avenues have been created in partnership with the GoAbroad Foundation to help fund the upcoming relief operations. You can visit these pages at the links below:
https://www.causes.com/campaigns/64333-raise-funds-to-support-victims-of-typhoon-yolanda-haiyan
Further information will follow when we make contact with the team. For now lets just keep the residents of Leyte in our thoughts and prayers.
—
Christopher Franks
Board Trustee
Volunteer for the Visayans, Inc.
Dadier Jean-Louis
hubs
vicki kurzban
Dulce Venezuela
Jenny
Kayley Scaffidi
katarina and Alfonso
Cristina G. Daya
Julia
Lara Sybaczynskyj
Eric T. Monte