Canadian Muslims Help Philippines Relief

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) “Masjids and Islamic organizations in Ontario have donated towards the relief fund in the amount of $80,000 so far and came together tonight, at this reception, to make the presentation to International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF),” Habeeb Alli, Community Development Manager of IDRF, told OnIslam.net.Typhoon Haiyan tore through the Philippines on Nov. 8th and 9th.It reduced most of what was in its path to rubble. It killed at least 5,796 people with 1,779 others still missing, displaced nearly 4 million and the UN estimates that 12 million lives are at risk.Offering help to devastated Philippines, Canadian Muslim efforts were organized through Canadian-based, charitable relief organization International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF).The IDRF’s stated mission is ‘dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged people of the world.’The organization has successfully implemented relief and development projects, over the past three decades, in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Americas.“IDRF has already begun responding with relief aid and, in an effort to offset the danger of water borne diseases from the polluted waters, is moving quickly to provide water purification units to families living in evacuation centers in the areas of Tacloban city and sites in Samar Province,” said Alli.“We will continue to assess the situation and, with generous community support, will respond in ways that have the greatest impact.”Canadian Muslims effort is not the first to offer help to devastated areas in the Philippines.Islamic Help, a UK registered charity and international NGO, has also launched an emergency appeal to rebuild destroyed areas.A Muslim Hands Emergency Relief team from the UK has also been on the ground, working alongside staff in the region to mobilize and coordinate direct relief to those affected by the disaster.Islamic Relief USA has also set an appeal to raise $1,000,000 for humanitarian efforts in Philippines, focusing on emergency assistance that may include food aid, shelter service or more.As the breadth of damage remains unclear, international relief organizations continued to support the massive relief effort to the archipelago.“Just because the situation in the Philippines is no longer in the news does not mean that the needs in the country have diminished,” said Elizabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN World Food Program (WFP), in a press briefing in Geneva.Meanwhile, Muslim organizations continued their efforts to offer clean water to devastated areas.“The funds will be used for water purification units supervised by GlobalMedic for those affected in the camps of Tacloban and the extension until December 23 provides Canadians further incentive to have their donations matched by the Canadian Government,” added Alli.GlobalMedic utilizes professional Canadian rescuers, specifically paramedics, police officers, firefighters and engineers who volunteer their time and skills to help those in need around the world.The organization specializes in providing clean drinking water to affected populations after a disaster.With the use of mobile water purification units and water purification tablets, GlobalMedic establishes easily accessible water stations for rural and urban centers in addition to mass distribution programs.“IDRF will not be charging any administrative fees on funds collected for this relief,” Habeeb Alli, Community Development Manager of IDRF, told OnIslam.net.“100% of donations collected will be going towards this water filters project.” /149