Media Release: Organizations with Alberta roots taking action on Typhoon relief

Media Release: Organizations with Alberta roots taking action on Typhoon relief [Edmonton: November 16, 2013] The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and it has seen its share of typhoons – but nothing like super Typhoon Haiyan. The strongest storm on record to make landfall, super Typhoon Haiyan surged through a wide path of destruction that included some of the poorest parts of the Philippines. Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) member NGOs with high capacity in the country are contributing to the relief efforts, and encouraging Albertans to take advantage of the federal government’s offer to match donations until December 9. Development and Peace has a long history of working in the Philippines, and is already responding through its partner Caritas Philippines-NASSA. After deadly winds swept away villages, leaving houses in tatters, and families separated, the immediate needs they identified were food, water, and shelter.
Donations to Development and Peace will help the NGO and its local partner support communities in regaining their homes and livelihoods, and making them more resilient in the face of future disasters. “It’s a catastrophe. The Philippines has never experienced a disaster on this scale. We really need all the help we can get.”  Fr. Edwin Guariguez, Executive Secretary of Caritas Philippines-NASSA Meanwhile, Oxfam launched an emergency appeal for 16 million dollars, aiming to reach a half million people. Oxfam’s immediate priority is making sure people have clean water, safe sanitation and a roof over their heads. Rapid assessment teams are poised to provide emergency supplies and shelter in the islands of Samar, Leyte and Cebu. Communities also need to have power and communications restored and roads need to be cleared so that aid can get through.
Super Typhoon Haiyan is not the only crisis ACGC members are  addressing right now, either: the Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO) is also asking Albertans to give generously to support its relief efforts in the Puntland Province of Somalia, which was hit by a cyclone at almost the same time. The UN has estimates 30, 000 people are in need of aid as a result of crippling floods cause by a cyclone last weekend.  ACGC  encourages Albertans to give generously to non-governmental organizations like these, which have well-established roots overseas and capacity to respond quickly to the humanitarian crises. As Alberta’s provincial council of voluntary organizations working toward sustainable development, ACGC represents over 50 organizations who contribute not just to emergency humanitarian relief, but also long-term sustainable development in areas like education, agriculture, and human rights.
Contact: Heather McPherson, Executive Director, Alberta Council for
Global Cooperation

Cell: 780-238-8504

Email: director@acgc.ca
-30- About ACGC
The Alberta Council for Global
Cooperation (ACGC) is a coalition of voluntary sector
organizations located in Alberta, working locally and
globally to achieve sustainable human development. The Council is committed to international cooperation that is
people-centered, democratic, just, inclusive, and respectful
of the environment and indigenous cultures. ACGC works

towards ending poverty and achieving a peaceful and healthy
world, with dignity and full participation for all.