Just days away from Christmas, Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) wreaked havoc in several provinces across Mimaropa, Visayas, and Mindanao after making its first landfall in Siargao in the afternoon of December 16. As of writing, over three million families are affected by power outages, food and drinking water are scarce,  phone reception is intermittent, and the death toll has risen to over 100.

While this time of the year is typically the period for festivities and cheer, many families, especially in the hardest-hit areas, are spending Christmas in evacuation centers and in need of help. Through these donation drives, you can help communities get back on their feet again:

For the Future

From being the hotspot for a much-needed vacation and new work-from-paradise location, Siargao was one of the hardest-hit areas by Odette, which left a death toll of at least 15 as of writing. The surfing capital is still without power and signal, and youth organization For the Future is raising funds for purchasing solar lights. Each light functions as a lamp, torch, and learning light, which can last up to 12 hours on a single charge and for up to 5 years. You may send donations through Gcash, PayMaya, and PayMongo.

The organization also has a list of donation channels in Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Bucas Grande, Dinagat Islands, Surigao, and Palawan.

ABS-CBN News

This is the reality for many families in Mimaropa, Visayas, and Mindanao: they have to slowly rebuild their lives and livelihood for the next months. Refer to this list for donations especially in Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Cebu, and Southern Leyte.

Aksyon ng Kabataan Organization

In partnership with For the Future and Kids for Kids, AKO (Aksyon ng Kabataan Organization) is raising funds to provide food and hygiene materials to our kababayans in Bohol. Their on-ground team is currently distributing relief packs, which can feed a family of four. Each pack contains rice, noodles, canned goods, crackers, alcohol, and water, and you may choose to donate from P300 to P3000 for the relief packs and send monetary donations through GCash, BPI, and PayMaya.

CEED Philippines

Together with its partners, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) is raising funds to deploy solar-powered GenSets, gather basic goods, and put-up solar charging stations in communities in Negros Island, Southern Cebu, and Northern Mindanao.

You can also find more information by sending an email to info@ceedphilippines.com or visiting their official website.

LeniKiko2022 Volunteer Center

Got extra blankets, hygiene items, bottled water, face masks, alcohol, rice, and ready-to-eat food at home? You may drop them off at the LeniKiko2022 Volunteer Center at 284 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City 1108. If you don’t live near or around the area, you may opt for monetary donations through Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc.’s GCash, PayMaya, MetroBank, and BPI accounts.

For Our Farmers

Aside from homes and different infrastructures, livelihoods were also affected by Super Typhoon Odette. Youth-led and non-stock non-profit organization For Our Farmers is partnering with NGOs and LGUs to rollout their relief operations under Project Sagip. As of writing, they have distributed over 200 relief packs in Cagayan De Oro and Misamis Oriental and raised P93,201.75. Their upcoming relief operations are in Misamis Oriental, Negros, and Bohol, and you may still send donations through GCash, BPI, BDO, ShopeePay, and Venmo.

Lokal Lab

Siargao-based NGO Lokal Lab is accepting both in-kind and cash donations for affected communities and farmers in Siargao. You may donate clothes, canned goods, rice, blankets, face masks, alcohol, medicine, sanitary products, and dog food, and drop them off in specific locations in Alabang, New Manila, Antipolo, White Plains, Merville, and Pasay. Send them a DM for specific addresses. For monetary donations, you may send them through PayMaya, PayPal, GCash, and UnionBank.

Pawssion Project

Many pets are left leashed or in their cages during typhoons. From stranded animals to strays, animal welfare group Pawssion Project Foundation is helping raise in-kind and cash donations for our furry friends in Siargao and Southern Leyte. You may drop off in-kind donations such as dog food, bowls for food and water, and vitamins at 64 Scout De Guia Street, Bgry. Laging Handa, Quezon City. Refer to the Instagram post for a list of goods or send your monetary donation through PayPal, PayMaya, BDO, BPI, and UnionBank.

Know of other trusted donation drives? Share them in the comments below.