Mayor Urges Residents to Send Relief to Philippines

Maui Mayor Alan Arakwa, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa is urging Maui County residents to join him in sending help to the Philippines in its recovery from Typhoon Haiyan by donating to the American Red Cross.

In a statement released today, Mayor Arakawa said, “People have no food and water, surgeons are working with limited medical supplies and people are now getting sick from disease.”

According to data compiled by the United Nations, and detailed by the Mayor’s office, at last count, there were some 4,400 people reported dead and more than 900,000 people displaced from the storm.

“For us in Maui County, this disaster hits as close to home as the earthquake in Fukushima, Japan did. As more reports come in, the scale of the disaster becomes clearer and more urgent for those suffering,” said Mayor Arakawa.

“Now is the time to help our fellow global citizens by donating to the Red Cross, which is the safest and most secure way to make sure your contributions go to where they can do the most good,” he said.

The Hawaiʻi Red Cross is among the many registered agencies that are offering a venue for Hawaiʻi residents to donate. The agency has also established a family tracing hotline to assist Hawaiʻi residents in their search for any missing family members in the Philippines.

State officials issued a special consumer alert to encourage donations following the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, but advised the public to first verify the donations are being made to reputable charities.

To donate, the direct link to the Red Cross website is: www.redcross.org.  The Red Cross Maui Office is reportedly asking that donations be made through the main website, which is the easiest and most direct way to send help, county officials said.