The Philippines needs our help

The news is horrifying to all, and heartbreaking to Hawaii’s fast-growing Filipino population, nearly all of which maintains ties with the Philippines. The public’s help with that country’s recovery is needed urgently.

Typhoon Haiyan struck with devastating force last week. Now the death toll and the tales of misery of the survivors are growing by the minute, as communications breakdowns are overcome and more information comes to light.

Officials in Manila have estimated that more than 4.2 million people across the nation’s 36 provinces were affected by the superstorm, which tore through the country with winds gusting to nearly 200 mph.

In the midst of the Veterans Day weekend, members of Hawaii’s armed forces were at work helping with logistics and humanitarian relief throughout the country. The Philippines government has approached America’s military for assistance, and the U.S. Pacific Command has been tapped for support. The commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, is leading the effort.

This is nothing new for the federal government, which has responded to more than 40 disasters in the Philippines, counting from only 1990.

The initial focus of this outreach has been search and rescue, enabled by the use of helicopter and fixed-wing craft that are equipped to function in short take-off and landing allowances, officials said.

All of that comprises a critical element at this stage, but as the world has witnessed in many previous disasters, recovery is a matter of months and years, and a great deal of resources will be required over the long haul.

The Filipino Community Center is at the center of the efforts locally, and is collecting donations made out in its name, with the notation, "Philippines disaster relief." Edmund Aczon, the center’s board chairman, said the hope is to partner with proven charities with a presence here and in the Philippines, such as the Consuelo Foundation and Child & Family Services, and to create a permanent disaster relief operation based in Honolulu.

That would be a prudent move, given that the Philippines lies in the path of the worst storms. In addition, the center has pledged to do careful financial reporting so that contributors have confidence that their gifts have maximum effect.

The Better Business Bureau has frequently advocated that potential donors do their own due diligence, withholding donations until they vet the charity for themselves. This advice bears repeating.

Meanwhile, some reputable charities are already pitching in with Haiyan relief, and several — including UNICEF, the Philippine Red Cross, Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services — have mobilized operations on the ground.

Here at home, a "Kokua Philippines" concert fundraiser is being planned for Dec. 1, an event that surely will help to boost relief revenue. But it will also gather people determined to help a country dear to Hawaii’s heart.

So many isle residents are deeply worried about distant loved ones, and that togetherness might boost their spirits, too.