More than 1 billion pesos Swiss donation

Help is everywhere for victims of Yolanda-stricken areas in the Philippines. And despite the aids of the world that keeps pouring in, Switzerland's government and its people pledged to donate more than P1 billion to assist relief operations.

According to the Swiss Embassy in Manila, its government released an initial P285 million for urgent disaster assistance. But the Swiss national fund-raising scheme attracted individuals, non-government organizations and companies in Switzerland. They are still continuing to raise more funds for the victims. As of now, they have raised P760 million.

Switzerland also offered their Humanitarian Relief Unit to provide assistance especially in some of the most heavily devastated areas in Northern Cebu and Western Leyte.

“Currently 20 professionals, medical doctors and health specialists, water and sanitation engineers, shelter experts and logisticians are working round the clock out of their hub in Cebu City,” the Swiss Embassy said.

“They provide food and kitchen sets as well as hygiene and shelter-kits, which are procured locally, to tens of thousands of victims. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit also helps local governments in providing safe drinking water with specialized equipment flown in from Switzerland,” it added.

According to the embassy, at least 21 metric tons of food packs, medical kits and shelter materials were sent by the Swiss government. They were distributed to the needy in disaster areas of Central Philippines.

The embassy said there were Swiss nationals who were affected by the typhoon. Therefore, they sent their consular personnel to Cebu and Leyte to support contact and search efforts on the ground.

“Swiss citizens in the affected areas are requested to contact the Swiss Embassy at this number: 0917 528 5460,” the embassy said.  

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LA Lakers Donated $150,000 To Aid Typhoon Haiyan Victims In The Philippines

The widespread destruction and death brought by super typhoon Haiynan in the Philippines prompted the Los Angeles Lakers to give help. 

The NBA team holding the record for NBA's longest winning streak, with 33 straight games during the 1971-72 season, announced a few days ago that a sum of $150,000 will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.

LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant presented the check worth $150,000 in between the first and second quarter of their game against Memphis Grizzles on November 15, 2013.

The NBA team also organized an auction between November 12 and November 24. All proceeds from the Lakers Youth Foundation In-Arena Auction that will take place at all Lakes home games will all be donated to the victims.

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Insulting Typhoon Victims In The Philippines Is Unlawful In Hongkong

Even if there are already relief goods to distribute to the victims of the super typhoon that struck the Philippines on Friday last week,  roads are impassable to reach most of the affected areas. Therefore, some survivors resorted in looting due to lack of food and drink just to be able to survive.

There are locals and international medias who lambasted the government handling the relief operations. Some of them said that Philippines officials are incompetent, inept and slow in their actions. 

Then there are also people not just in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world who look down to the survivors by posting derogatory remarks to typhoon survivors because of looting, killing and possibly rape as well according to some reports.

However, posting anything negative on Facebook and other social networking sites about the victims is now unlawful in Hongkong. 

Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) cited their race discrimination ordinance, which makes it unlawful for any person to publicly incite hatred or severely ridicule another person on the ground of their race. 

EOC Chairperson Dr. York Chow said, the negative sentiments of Hong Kong residents towards the Philippine government in connection with its handling of the Manila bus hostage incident three years ago should not be extended to the victims of Yolanda.

Seven days after the typhoon's devastation, it left at least 2,357 people confirmed dead as of Thursday.

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Filipinos Reacted Against The Canadian Teacher's Racist Comments Saying Yolanda Is The Way To Wipe The Philippines Out

Filipinos unitedly condemn the comment made by a certain Jax Cote who is believed to be a teacher in Canada. According to fbNws.com, Cote made a racist comment on Friday that super typhoon Yolanda (Hainan) is an instrument of God to wipe out the Philippines.

"So this means the world is getting rid a whole whack of Phillipino's about tome God cleaned house," said Cote. As expected, angry Filipinos criticized her on social networking sites about her poor spelling, his/her real gender and capability as an educator.

In Cote's Facebook profile, she said she's a teacher at a private elementary school and studied at Trent University. After her comment however, people started to question her being an educator.

"Jax Cote, if you ever read this, I pity those students you teach," said renz charlie on twitter.

ed delossantos said, "A teacher should not be posting comments like this. Disgusting!"

But others are pushing for a harsher outcome. Just like Devina Dediva who lost her job after bashing Megan Young for winning the Miss World title, they wish Cote to suffer the same fate.

If Yolanda is this year's strongest typhoon, the outcome of Miss Cote's racist comment might be the strongest typhoon she'll ever experience in her life.

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Latest Report About Strong Typhoon Yolanda

One of the strongest typhoons ever recorded in history battered the Philippines on Friday, sending millions of people fleeing for safety. According to the report, at least 56 people were killed when typhoon Yolanda, or Hainan crossed over the archipelago.

In the city of Tacloban and Palo town in Leyte, places which were seriously pounded by Yolanda, 53 people were reported killed by GMA network. However, city officials and other media agencies claimed only three people lost their lives.

But because the communications lines were cut due to strong winds, it is difficult to know the exact numbers of casualties yet.

People across the Philippines flooded their Facebook walls with words of encouragement and prayers. “When you’re faced with such a scenario, you can only pray, and pray and pray,” Southern Leyte Governor Roger Mercado said.

Rappler.com reported that as of today, Saturday, November 9, 2013, the eye of the typhoon was located 30 kilometers west of Coron, a municipality in the north of Palawan famous for its beautiful beaches.

We’ve had reports of uprooted trees, very strong winds… and houses made of light materials being damaged,” Philippine Red Cross chief Gwendolyn Pang told AFP.

“We have put rescue teams and equipment at different places, but at the moment we can’t really do much because of the heavy rain and strong winds. There is no power,” she added.

At least 125,000 people were evacuated just before the typhoon makes its landing. Yolanda is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility late Saturday.

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