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October 7, 2009 | Editor Al Santoli
Responding to the need for immediate action to combat diseases brought by the floodwaters of Typhoon Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (international codename: Parma), Asia America Initiative (AAI), a private NGO, working with fellow nonprofit AmeriCares and corporate partners delivered emergency medical supplies to the Philippines. These were distributed with partner government agencies and NGOs to evacuation centers all over Metro Manila.
"Water and sanitation and hygiene are the heaviest problems," Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy's path of destruction. "That's why we need to go to each emergency center and learn the evacuees' condition."
The emergency medical supplies included 454,080 sachets of water purifiers and 2,856 bottles of oral reyhdration solution for children. The water purifier is a powdered disinfectant that comes in small and easy-to-use packets. The product removes dirt, cysts, and pollutants, and kills bacteria and viruses in contaminated water. The oral rehydration solution is designed to quickly replace fluids, minerals and electrolytes that are lost when a child has diarrhea and/or vomiting.
The shipment of water purifiers was generously provided by Connecticut-based AmeriCares Foundation and was released from customs through the assistance of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. The donation was given to the flood-plagued communities of Marikina, Rizal and Taguig under the supervision of the National Relief Operations of the Philippine President headed by Secretary Hermogenes Esperon.
"AmeriCares has provided humanitarian care to the Philippines for 20 years and this is one of the worst disasters we've seen there," AmeriCares Vice President for Emergency Response Christoph Gorder said. "We are committed to providing as much assistance as we can and we are lucky to count on strong local partners like AAI."
Thirty-four boxes of oral rehydration solution were given to Operation Blessing for their medical missions in Marikina and Rizal. The doctors of Operation Blessing were happy to receive this donation, as it has helped ameliorate the problem of children contracting diarrhea due to their intake of contaminated water. According to the doctors, the evacuation centers house more than 3,000 families each, and lack access to clean drinking water. This forces the evacuees to use any available water, which is likely to be full of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever, among others. The availability of water purifiers has helped in halting the spread of waterborne diseases in areas in which the AAI-supported medical mission of Operation Blessing has established a presence.
The remaining bottles of oral rehydration solution will be given to the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the Department of Health for their ongoing medical missions in stricken areas.
AAI and the communities aided by the medical donations are thankful to our donors and partners including Mr. John Hemenway, Armitage International, the Kathryn W. Davis Foundation, the National Relief Center of the Philippine President, World Vision, Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales, Mr. Romy Dagohoy of the Bureau of Customs, and AAI board member Koleen Palaganas.
Special thanks are due to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa, Consul General Domingo Nolasco and other designated Philippine Embassy staff for facilitating the rapid shipment and release of AAI relief goods in the Philippines.
Several private Filipino citizens were also generous and gracious enough to contribute to AAI in whatever way they could, for which AAI is deeply grateful.
"Indeed, great things can happen when good people and organizations unite for a noble cause," said AAI President Al Santoli.
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