What Goods Should We Donate for the Typhoon Victims?

In an interview in ANC program “Headstart” this afternoon, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said that we shouldn’t donate powdered milk to the victims of the supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan).

While she recognized the donors’ good intentions, she discouraged the public from donating powdered milk for babies and children because these “might cause more problems”. Pang explained that areas hit by typhoons usually do not have a source of clean water for days such as the case of “Yolanda” where people affected continue to depend on bottled water provided by organizations such as PRC.

“There’s no clear source of water. There should be clean water because milk is so susceptible to bacteria,” she said. ” We have to teach them [how to prepare milk properly] and we have to make sure that we provide water to them.”

Pang advised though that donating breast milk is better saying, “ that’s the most preferred. It’s the best.”

Ready-to-eat meals, cash

While any type of donation is appreciated, Pang said it is best for concerned citizens to give cash, unless they plan to buy in bulk.

She said the cash donations will be used by PRC to buy truckloads of food and water, which are cheaper compared to buying a few cans of sardines and other groceries.

To those who feel uneasy about donating money, Pang said they may bring in food items that can be easily consumed, citing the ready-to-eat meals in easy-to-open cans sent by PRC as an example.

“Rice na ‘yun, with ulam, in a can. It comes in different flavors para ‘di sila magsawa – may corned beef, may tuna flakes, may caldereta, may mechado,” she said. “They don’t need plates, andoon na ‘yung can so they can just eat.”

Pang discouraged to donate instant noodles and best for people to give food in individual packs.

“The food should come in a preparation that is ready to eat kasi wala silang panluto,” she said. “For noodles kasi they need hot water, unless [they already have] a source of water. Papakuluan mo pa ‘yun, and they need a facility to cook.”

Toiletries

Aside from food donations, toiletries are equally ideal to be provided to families of at least five people, said Pang.

A hygiene kit, for example can contain five toothbrushes, a large tube of toothpaste, a bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo, and an antibacterial soap.

“These should be packed for a family,” she said, noting that the sharing of toothbrushes may lead to other health problems.

“Dapat antibacterial soap, ‘wag naman ‘yung mga cosmetic soap, mga papaya soap, unless may antibacterial component,” she added. “’Pag shampoo, dapat may anti-dandruff formula. Ang toothpaste, dapat may fluoride.”

When it comes to clothes, Pang also requested that these should “have integrity” and be “suitable for our climate.”

“’Wag sobrang kapal, ‘wag sobrang sexy. You can’t give that in an evacuation center,” she said. “’Dapat ‘yung may integrity din. That people can wear it, that they feel good with it.”

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com