The uncertainty of the devastation by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines has San Diego’s Filipino community anxious as they await word from loved ones and one organization has already begun pushing ahead with relief efforts.
The U.S. chapter of Gawad Kalinga is based in Poway. Their relief group’s name means "to give care" in Tagalog.
“Our people out there, they're flooded in, they're probably on their roofs. There's no clean water anywhere. Water is going to be the key,” said Tony Olaes, CEO Gawad Kalinga USA.
Olaes says crews are working their way to the hardest hit areas, but the aid may take time.
Their operation command post is on a neighboring island. Thousands of volunteers are mobilizing with the Philippines military to get supplies to the victims as quickly as possible.
They’ll be distributing food packs containing rice, canned goods and water, according to Olaes.
At this point, the total scope of the devastation is still unknown. But, Filipinos in San Diego are preparing for the worst.
Through fundraising and prayer, locals are aiming to help those in need.
“There are 150,000 of us here in San Diego and that's what it's going to take. It's going to take a huge calamity like this to bring everybody together,” Olaes told NBC 7 San Diego.
To find out more about the organization and how to donate to their relief efforts, visit their website.
