Ford PH donates P1.25M to aid in Typhoon Odette relief operations

PHOTO: Food items are packed in RAFI’s operations center in Cebu to help families and communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

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Ford Philippines is donating USD25,000 or P1.25 million to provide relief assistance to communities and families affected by Typhoon Odette, particularly in the Central Visayas region.

Ford, through its Ford Motor Company Fund, is partnering with American Chamber Foundation (AMCHAM) Philippines to make the donation to Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), a non-stock, non-profit organization with over 55 years of experience in social and community development and has been at the forefront in providing humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected communities. 

The donation will support RAFI’s Bangon Visayas Humanitarian Response Initiative, which aims to assist affected individuals and families in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Leyte, to recover and increase resilience.  

The project will have two phases, where Phase 1 is the Emergency Relief phase, which will cover the provision of emergency food and drinking water. RAFI will also provide generator sets with fuel for affected local government units (LGUs). Psychosocial support for children and families will also be implemented. 

Phase 2 will be the Early Recovery phase, which will focus on the construction of safe shelter for the totally-displaced indigent families and livelihood augmentation.

“We are one with the nation in helping individuals and families affected by Typhoon Odette,” says Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines. “We recognize that weeks after the onslaught of the typhoon, so many Filipinos are still reeling from the aftermath as they suffered from severe damage to shelter, infrastructure, and livelihood. We hope that this donation will help support their recovery as we all look forward to brighter days ahead.”

“RAFI would like to thank Ford Philippines and AMCHAM Foundation for this generous support that will surely help affected communities get back on their feet, as food, water, shelter, fuel, generator supplies and construction supplies remain scarce and inaccessible for thousands of families affected. This donation from Ford will definitely help us reach out and help more as we continue to expand our relief operations,” adds Riella Mae B. Guioguio, Chief Operating Officer and RAFI EOC for Typhoon Odette – Executive Head, RAFI.

Operating mainly in central Philippines, RAFI has provided countless assistance ranging from technical support, emergency relief, recovery and rehabilitation to local government units, highly distressed communities, and government agencies.
Interested individuals can send financial assistance and donate in-kind items such as drinking water, water filters, generator sets, and fuel to RAFI. RAFI can be contacted via 0917-6332936 or 0933-8792966, or via e-mail at eoc@rafi.ph.