By now most of my readers will have heard, read or seen about the devastating effect that typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda as it's named in the Philippines, caused around the Philippines and especially around the Tacloban area.
In this post I like to highlight the damage that occurred on Malapascua island, a place I've visited a few times and where I conducted a few PADI IDC programs and hence I have a few friends there, that hopefully I can help with this post.
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
The above and below pictures give an idea of the devastation on Malapascua and I hope you are willing to help by donating, so the good folks on Malapascua can rebuild their lives and their island.
There's a website for donations dedicated to Malapascua which can be found here and there's a Facebook page 'Help Malapascua'.
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
The island is known in diver circles for the rare sightings of Thresher sharks that can be observed here. Over the years a thriving diving industry has been build up and has become a livelihood to many local people.
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
Despite the devastation as shown on the pictures, first reports seem to indicate that no one was seriously injured on the island or was killed by the typhoon, which is great news, considering other footage from around the Philippines.
The roads are now also open all the way from Cebu City to Daanbantayan, where the boats leave for Malapascua. relief efforts are being set up and tomorrow the first help should arrive on the island.
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
If you want to get in touch with someone on the island, SMART communications stated that most of their towers should be back up and running within 1-2 days from now, hopefully that will include Malapascua.
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
My thoughts are with the people in the Philippines and especially with all my friends on Malapascua!
Photo courtesy of Edmund James Y Porter
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2 comments:
spent feb. 2013 on malapascua island. I recognize all the photos of the island damage. Made good freinds with dieter and luz at the malapascua garden resort. I have not been able to contact them as of this posting. this will not be the first place that will receive any help. This is a very small island but I am sure they all need immediate assistance. If you would please, give immediate assistance to this small island. Know this, that any aid you can give to this island of wonderful people will go directly to them! Everyone on this island knows each other. Only one road on the island. Not one automobile on the island, no need for them. I will hopefully reach out to my freinds there as soon as possible. Want to help these people directly? then please respond and I will do my very best to direct you to people there. Thank you, charles.
Thanks for your post Charles,
The link provided is solely for donations that stay on Malapascua, why would such a link be better or worse than, with all due respect, an 'anonymous' internet user like yourself?
Many dive centers already have set up or are about to set up their own donation links to support their staff.
It's indeed good to warn about the dangers of donating on internet (think Oxfam)though.
This link seems bona-fide and has been supplied by dive centers on Malapascua itself.
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