Tacloban Airlift Displaced Residents

TACLOBAN, Republic of the Philippines (Nov. 22, 2013) Tacloban residents displaced by Typhoon Haiyan fill the cargo hold of a C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron. Approximately 400 personnel were loaded onto the aircraft. Joint Task Force 505 personnel are conducting search and rescue, supply drops and personnel airlifts in support of Operation Damayan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter D. Blair/Released)

USNS Charles Drew Helps Quench Philippines' Thirst

ORMAC CITY, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- The Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) keeps warships like aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) mission ready with fresh food, JP-5 fuel and even ammunition with vertical replenishments and conventional replenishments, Nov. 17.

During Operation Damayan, Charles Drew provided humanitarian relief to the Republic of the Philippines in the aftermath of super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda with its ability to produce 16,000 gallons of fresh, clean drinking water with a capacity of 50,000 gallons for the displaced residents per day.

"We can produce 2,500 to 2,800 gallons of drinkable water every four hours," said Keith Willeford, Charles Drew's 3rd assistant engineer watch. "We were ready with water when we arrived. 

The crew of the Charles Drew prepared days in advance to accomplish aggressive helicopter lift operations in order to provide Ormac City residents with drinking water and food provided by international agencies.

"We produced ice by placing water in bags inside of boxes and then we froze it," said Norflis McCullough, Charles Drew's supply officer. "We started the whole process six days before we started delivering it to areas in the Philippines."

PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 15, 2013) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Yazmin Munoz directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on the flight deck of the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) during a vertical replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group supports the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippines government in response to the aftermath of the super typhoon Haiyan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian H. Abel/Released)

As MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from the "Island Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 landed in isolated villages to deliver water and supplies, residents expressed deep appreciation of the support provided by the U.S. Navy, Charles Drew, the Republic of Philippines government and other international aid agencies in light of the tragedy.

"It was rewarding to do my job, the situation was bittersweet considering how bad people were suffering," said Air Survival Equipment Specialist 2nd Class Peter Glatt, from Linton, North Dakota. "After we delivered the water and supplies, the people were waving their hearts out as we flew away. It felt really good to help." 

The George Washington Strike Group is working with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippines government in response to the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines. 

Medical Team goes Ashore to Support Operation Damayan

PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 15, 2013) Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) board an SA-330J Puma helicopter carrying medical supplies to be used in the Republic of the Philippines in support of Operation Damiyan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group supports the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippine government in response to the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

GUIUAN, Eastern Sumar, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the medical department aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) treated wounded Philippine citizens and conducted a health care needs assessment in the Guiuan area during Operation Damayan, Nov. 17.

Lt. Lauren Moses, George Washington's physician assistant, from Port Townsend, Wash., and two hospital corpsmen were flown to the Guiuan Air Force Base where they were transported by Philippine government vehicles to the Rural Health Center.

"We were tasked to go into Guiuan to assess the health care needs in this particular area and to get into contact with the health director, Dr. Maria Flores, to discuss what supplies she needed," said Moses.

The medical team obtained a list of supplies Flores needed and the locations of other local health centers.

"We were assigned to go to other places to assess casualties and injured numbers around the area," said Moses.

Moses and the two hospital corpsmen, with a map in hand, hiked to Municipal Hall to take record of the casualties and to speak with volunteers about the status of needed medical provision. They also gathered information on non-governmental health locations in the area.

The medical team went with Philippine nurses to the Immaculate Conception School and Barangay where they were able to see more than 85 injured civilians.

"We went to the evacuation centers to conduct an assessment," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Quinton Dotson, from Reno, Nev. "There are currently no other government or non-governmental organization medical aid to these shelters."

The medical team returned to the airfield after a trip around the area to assist with the loading and unloading of relief supplies from an HC-130 Hercules from the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3d MEB) as they waited for a helicopter to return to the ship.

"I thank God for the opportunity to be here, and I just want to help as much as I can," said Dotson.

Super Typhoon Haiyan reached speeds up to 195 mph, gusts up to 235 mph and landfall waves of 50 feet. According to the Philippine government's National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the super typhoon impacted more than 4.2 million people across 36 provinces in the Philippines.

George Washington Carrier Strike Group is supporting the 3rd MEB in assisting the Philippine government in ongoing relief efforts in response to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

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Red Cross Facilitates Family Linking in the Philippines

On Friday, November 8, Typhoon Haiyan swept across the Central Philippines leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region has opened a call center to accept local inquires for missing loved ones.

"It's our understanding the phone systems are out in the Philippines so this provides a method for folks to reach out that doesn't involve them calling directly," said Paul Carden, Regional Disaster Program Officer for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region.

Calls for persons sought living in the affected areas who were in regular contact with relatives in the United States prior to the disaster and for family members who are not United States citizens should be directed to 703-584-8761.

The center will operate on Saturday, November 9 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and on Sunday, November 10 from 10:00am to 7:00pm.

Inquiries concerning United States citizens should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Services, at 1-888-407-4747.

As number of children affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan rises to 4 million, UNICEF steps up emergency response

Number of children affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan rises to 4 million
New York - UNICEF is racing to deliver emergency supplies to areas of the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, as the latest estimates indicate that as many as four million children could now be affected by the disaster.

Children who escaped Haiyan still need urgent assistance to survive in the aftermath of the storm. Health is an urgent priority due to the impact of the typhoon on water supplies and sanitation systems. Children also need safe and protected spaces to be able to play and continue their education while adults work to recover their homes and livelihoods.

UNICEF is mobilizing therapeutic food for children, as well as kits containing health, water and hygiene supplies, from stocks already available in the country, to support up to 3,000 families in the affected areas. As soon as access is possible, these supplies will be distributed to the hard-hit area of Tacloban.

“We are rushing to get critically needed supplies to children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi. “Reaching the worst affected areas is very difficult, with limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. But we are working around the clock to find ways to get these supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow.”

UNICEF is airlifting $1.3 million worth of additional supplies from its warehouse in Copenhagen for another 10,000 families, including those affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol. The shipments contain water purification tablets, soap, medical kits, tarps, and micronutrient supplements.

“As we get a better picture of the impact of this devastating crisis, it is clear that even more children are affected than first thought,” said Hozumi. “UNICEF is doing all it can to reach these children, as quickly as possible with critical supplies, to protect their health, safety and wellbeing in the difficult days ahead.”

How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF’s relief efforts, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:
Website: www.unicefusa.org/philippines
Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS
Text: RELIEF to 864233 (UNICEF) to donate $10
Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038

As with any emergency, in the event that donations exceed anticipated needs, the U.S. Fund will redirect any excess funds to children in greatest need.