New Release

 

HAVI rushes aid to victims of twin typhoons in Philippines

HAVI Logistics and the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) immediately mobilized to give relief assistance after typhoons Nesat (local name Pedring) and Nalgae (Quiel) struck Philippines one after the other in September 2011. The typhoons left at least 30 dead and more than 64,000 people wading through floodwaters.

Days after the calamity, RMHC delegated McDonald’s outlets to serve as drop-off points for donations such as clothes, food, and other basic necessities. HAVI complemented the relief effort by allocating trucks to pick up and bring these donations to the distribution center for consolidation.

Employees, meanwhile, helped the cause by supporting the HAVI fund raiser that would provide potable water to displaced residents—many of whom still seek shelter in evacuation centers and rely on assistance from the government and humanitarian organizations.

HAVI delivered all contributions straight to the Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, the disaster relief arm of the biggest media organization in the country.

Nesat struck land on Tuesday September 27, 2011 carrying winds of up to 93 mph (150kph). Nalgae pummelled northern Philippines barely four days later with maximum sustained winds of 121 mph, worsening the situation for Filipinos still reeling from the devastation of the previous typhoon.

Ronnie Cruz, Managing Director of HAVI Philippines, related the current situation to what happened two years ago:  “During Typhoon Ketsana, many of our employees got stranded at the DC. They had no way of returning home without swimming through the flood. I think this explains everyone’s willingness to help now. In a way, they can relate to the experience of the affected families.” As the employees pay it forward through the fund raiser, HAVI matched their donations peso for peso.

 HAVI truck brings donations hauled from McDonald’s stores to the Sagip Kapamilya headquarters