By Jordan Schaffner

Photo: USaid.gov

November 26, 2013 (San Diego)--Many Filipinos live and work in San Diego County.  Some of them have relatives back home in the Philippines who have been affected by the tragic typhoon Haiyan (which translates in English as typhoon Yolanda)  that hit a few weeks ago.

In an interview with East County Magazine, Rex Mortensen, a local recruiter with American Solar Direct, said he has several dozen family members in the hard-hit city of Tacloban, where he was born and raised until age 8. 

“All but one of my family members have been found," he said, but added that "odds are not good” due to current conditions; all of their homes have been destroyed and their belongings are gone. “They are hungry, thirsty, severely injured and with only the clothes on their backs, are trekking up to Manila to relocate and live permanently with our aid.”

November 14, 2013 – As international relief groups pour into the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, the Women’s Refugee Commission has issued an alert identifying ten crucial needs to protect the victims – including special needs of women and children. 

Beyond such essentials as food and water, the WRC urges steps to prevent women and children from sexual violence or human trafficking and to provide medical care to minimize mortality among pregnant women and their babies.  Other needs include providing education for displaced youths, economic opportunities for women, and help for the disabled.

 By Nadin Abbott

 October 14, 2013 (San Diego) Reports are coming in from the Philippines that the southern island of Bohol was hit with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake this evening, according to the United States Geological Service.  At least 20 people have died, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

According to Earthquake report, this was a shallow earthquake, which has caused building collapse, including the main church in Bohol, with Mindanao affected as well. USGS has a notice that due to the shut down, operation are at a minimum.