SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A full year after Super Typhoon Yolanda wrought havoc in the Eastern Visayas provinces of the Philippines, the Filipino-American community continues to rally in support of those affected. The disaster claimed almost 6,500 lives, caused $2.86 billion in damage, and affected 16 million people.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda, Give2Asia has launched the One Year Later Fund in order to provide support for ongoing rehabilitation projects in affected communities in the Philippines. Since 2001, Give2Asia has responded to over 40 natural disasters throughout Asia, providing long-term support at the community level for a minimum of three years after the disaster.
"Our experience has shown us that disaster recovery goes beyond providing immediate help during the initial relief phase," explained Birger Stamperdahl, Give2Asia's President & CEO. "An effective recovery project should be broad, integrated, sustainable, and should be able to address all aspects of community life including healthcare, livelihood, education, the environment, as well as include a disaster preparedness training component. Typically those types of projects need more time to take shape."
To support the launch of the One Year Later Fund, Give2Asia Board Director George SyCip and his wife Barbara are hosting a fundraising dinner at the Villa Taverna on Monday, November 17.
Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Give2Asia's long-term rehabilitation strategy in Eastern Samar, one of the poorest regions in the Philippines and the first place Yolanda made landfall.
For more information about the fundraiser, please visit www.give2asia.org/yoyl
About Give2Asia
Give2Asia (www.give2asia.org) makes international grant making safe, effective, and impactful. Since its founding in 2001, Give2Asia has raised over a quarter of a billion dollars and has successfully served the needs of international philanthropy with its on-the-ground presence, knowledge of diverse social and economic conditions, and the expert matching of donor interests with innovative and effective grantees. For more information, email info@give2asia.org.