Typhoon Yolanda — Eastern Samar Update for Nov 12, 2013
In an attempt to help spread the word about the status in Eastern Samar, we are going to provide Eastern Samar updates daily for the coming days. These updates are current as of Nov 12 mid-day in the Philippines. As a rule, we are trying to find meaningful updates in social media that are not available to those outside of Facebook, Twitter, etc. When it seems useful to do so, we will also include updates from mainstream media. Note that the Facebook links are all public — and if you are logged in to Facebook the links will take you to the source. If you have any tips or news items for us, please send to adminmb@mac.com or just use the comment form at the bottom of this (or any) post.
Second C-130 Flight Lands in Guian at 11:45 today
AFP, confirms C-130s landing on Guiuan at present time. Unloading emergency supplies for Eastern, Samar
Volunteer supply teams are now in Matnog area. Inboard for Borongan and Guiuan.
Relief Goods Piling up in Guiuan — No Transport to Move Them
Bangon Guiuan “We have almost 100 tons of relief goods now but still no vessel to use. Very frustrating! Please help us!” Link: https://www.facebook.com/BANGONGUIUAN?ref=stream&hc_location=stream
Source: Samar Updates: After Supertyphoon Yolanda
72 Pictures of Lawaan and vicinity
Total of 72 pictures taken of Lawaa-an and vicinity posted by Marvin Tiozon on Facebook. Marvin also posted the following: ”URGENT NEED!! PAGKAIN PARA SA MGA TAO DUN !!” (Urgent!! Food for the people there!) …..Kung uuwi kayo ng lawaan eastern samar. Pagdara kamu hin damu nga foood amut kinanlanun yana nagdto….
Source: Marvin Tiozon via Facebook
Supplies Running Out in Calbayog
Thank you sa mga dumalo (18 lahat) sa emergency meeting kanina. Gist of the mtng: Calbayog mayor informed us that supplies are also running out in Calbayog. The Pres of Catarman Business Club assured us they have ample supplies we can purchase in Catarman. The van w/c will be going back from Lawaan may have to proceed to Catarman to buy food/other supplies.. Since there are goods donated and collected in Manila we will also look for a van to transport them. An LLO officer will accompany the van. If the van has still avlb space for more supplies (other than those already donated) more supplies will be bought to fill it. Target date of take off from Manila is Wed. If the rental of said van fr Mla to Lawaan is not too expensive the trip will be direct to Lawaan. Otherwise we may drop them off w/ Calbayog mayor’s office who is willing to provide transpo and security all the way to Lawaan. Whichever way we are assured of security escort from Catarman or from Calbayog. Source: Lita Merro Cepe via Lawaan.com sa Facebook
Security Alert: Armed Gangs Confirmed on the Cabayog Highway
URGENT: Nov. 12, 2013 – 11:44am BAD NEWS: May mga highway bandits / thieves sa Calbayog area. Please be advised. Bandits dressed like soldiers. Please send help to guard the roads for supply groups.
Source: Riza Bianes via Samar Updates: After Supertyphoon Yolanda
TO ALL RELIEF GROUPS and Volunteers
From Samar Updates Please DO NOT travel alone. Regroup po muna lahat. Please consider. Travel in convoy of trucks or vehicles. Very dangerous kapag mag-isa lang. If possible, let us request the PNP to provide at least 2 police officers to accompany the convoy. Please consider the suggestions. Let us think it through. The supplies MUST reach the towns. Source: Samar Updates: After Supertyphoon Yolanda
Relief Goods Headed for Eastern Visayas? (Or sitting in Manila?)
Piles of relief goods inside the DSWD Compound in Pasay City ready for delivery to the victims of Super Typhoon #YolandaPH. Pres. Aquino ordered the DSWD to rush the delivery and distribution of relief goods to the victims in the Visayas region.
Source: Philippine Star via Facebook
Russia’s World Largest Cargo Plane Has Landed at Mactan
Antonov 225 from Russia has landed at Mactan.
Source: AFP Central Command
Bolusao Barangay Captain on Relief Run from Catbalogan
nkausap ko c babay obet, Brgy. Capt. of Bolusao hes on his way to catbalogan, capines road pwedi n agian hn 4 wheel ky gintakupan na kuno bsta hinay2 la nga biyahe so kung sino mn gusto umuwi n my sa2kyan pwedi na, need stin tubig,food,sabon,candila,water
Photo: Barangay 3, Poblacion, Balangiga
Source:Autonomo Sr Abellar Amano via Facebook
US Carrier Strike Group Heading to the Philippines for Typhoon Relief
WASHINGTON – The United States is sending the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and other ships to bolster relief efforts in the Philippines after a devastating typhoon killed thousands of people, U.S. officials said on Monday.
The Pentagon, confirming an earlier Reuters report about the deployment, said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had ordered the nuclear-power aircraft carrier and other ships “to make best speed for the Republic of the Philippines.”
The George Washington is now in Hong Kong and was expected to arrive within 48-to-72 hours, along with other ships, including guided missile cruisers and destroyers. The carrier was expected to depart in the coming hours. Crew were being recalled early from shore leave, the Pentagon said.
With some 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, the George Washington brings enormous capacity to relief efforts.
Beyond serving a staging platform for flights, the carrier’s water distilling plants can produce 400,000 gallons (1.5 million liters) of fresh water per day, according to its website.
“As needed, these ships and aircraft will be able to provide humanitarian assistance, supplies, and medical care in support of the ongoing (relief) efforts,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.
News of the ramped U.S. military assistance came as rescue workers in the Philippines tried to determine the full impact of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, which slammed into the country on Friday.
Officials in Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the typhoon, have said the death toll could be 10,000 in their city alone.
At least a dozen U.S. and Philippines military cargo planes arrived in Tacloban on Monday, with the Philippine air force saying it had flown in about 66 tons of relief supplies since Saturday.
An initial contingent of U.S. forces were already on the ground, with most operating out of Villamor Air Base in Manila, and a smaller group in Tacloban.
Accompanying the George Washington will be the cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens and the destroyer USS Mustin.
The supply ship USNS Charles Drew is already under way and will rendezvous with the group as they get closer, the Pentagon said. The destroyer USS Lassen left yesterday for the region, officials said.
The George Washington also counts a carrier air wing on board with helicopters that can bolster disaster relief efforts, if required, officials said. Source: ABS-CBN
Manila Surfers Helping Relief Drive for Guiuan
We may have been there only once, or we may have called it our second home. Either way, Guiuan, Samar has given us nothing but the fondest memories and the best waves. We’d like to come back soon and still see it as a surf paradise, but now more than ever, the people from our beloved surf town NEED OUR HELP. If you’d like to help us raise funds and collect donations for those affected by the typhoon, please come on Wednesday, 8pm at Hao in Jupiter, Makati. EVERYONE is welcome to join. Source: Manila Surfers Association
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Below is a “trailer” showcasing the writing and video services I provide to clients.
Michael Sellers — Writing and Video Services
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