10 Global Haiyan Relief Efforts That Touched Filipino Hearts · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Also see Haiyan Devastates the Philippines, our special coverage page.
After supertyphoon Haiyan battered the central part of the Philippines last month leaving thousands dead and homeless, the global community quickly responded by sending aid, volunteers, and solidarity messages. Media groups provided extensive coverage of the disaster, UN agencies facilitated the entry of emergency supplies, and global aid organizations were immediately on the field assisting typhoon survivors. Foreign governments also deployed humanitarian teams which helped in the transporting of relief goods and other supplies.
There were many small and big initiatives that contributed to the global relief effort and all of them were greatly appreciated by Filipinos. These acts of kindness uplifted the spirits of many, especially typhoon victims. Below are some of these humanitarian actions which inspired Filipinos:
1. Two girls selling lemonade drinks in Los Angeles, California for the benefit of typhoon victims. The photo was taken two days after typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines
The future of humanity is alive & well in my neighborhood. Thank God 4 the beautiful hearts of children #Philippines pic.twitter.com/Tl2XA7oTDl
— Shekinah (@ShekinahEden) November 11, 2013
2. A six-year old Japanese pre-schooler donated his piggybank savings to typhoon survivors. Shoichi Kondoh was accompanied by his mother when he donated 5,000 Yen to the Philippine embassy in Tokyo.
Photo by R. Gavino. Philippine Embassy in Tokyo
3. The Empire State Building in New York lights up the colors of the Philippine flag
4. Toronto’s CN Tower lighting solidarity for the Philippines
Toronto's CN Tower is lit with colors of the Phil flag in solidarity with victims 'Yolanda' Photo by Jonathan Ponce. pic.twitter.com/5yE1eNmYuO
— CanadaEmbPhilippines (@CanEmbPH) November 20, 2013
5. Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker died in a car crash after attending a charity drive. He also sent a video message expressing sympathy for typhoon victims.
6. Pop star Justin Bieber came unannounced in the Philippines to cheer typhoon victims. He sang for the kids and played basketball in Tacloban, the ‘ground zero’ of the typhoon disaster.
Justin Bieber.. Playing basketball in Tacloban for the Yolanda survivors! pic.twitter.com/0ySs6RFOD2
— zyia moscoso (@ZyiaMoscoso07) December 16, 2013
7. ‘NBA Cares’ for the Philippines. Basketball is the most popular sports in the country. Filipino-American coach Eric Spoelstra of the Miami Heat sent his condolences to Filipinos:
On behalf of the Miami HEAT organization, we would like to extend our condolences to the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We value the many fans that we have over there, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Kobe Bryant, who visited Manila several times, also tweeted his support for the Philippines
#PrayForThePhilippines #heartbroken
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 12, 2013
8. Football teams showing support for the Philippines.
Help Unicef be there for children of the Philippines. Text UNICEF to 70123 to give £3. Thank you pic.twitter.com/1kPBMSjqu7
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) November 13, 2013
Doug Baldwin of Seattle Seahawks holding Philippine flag albeit the wrong way. It’s upside down (and it means the Philippines is at war) but Filipinos still appreciated the gesture.
Please continue supporting #Haiyan relief. @DougBaldwinJr appreciates your generosity. #PinoyPower pic.twitter.com/XbhoB8iNnm
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 18, 2013
9. Pope Francis offering prayers for the Philippines. The Philippines is the biggest Catholic-dominated nation in Asia.
I ask all of you to join me in prayer for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda especially those in the beloved islands of the Philippines
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) November 9, 2013
10. American singer Alicia Keys surprised typhoon victims in Manila. Keys visited an evacuation camp in Manila where survivors from Tacloban are temporarily sheltered.
Alicia Keys visits Yolanda typhoon victims in the Philippines, photos: http://t.co/fGuMm7WYaf http://t.co/y4OuO2qDeY pic.twitter.com/Heb9bBj8CE
— Alicia Keys Online (@aliciakeyson) November 25, 2013
Also see Haiyan Devastates the Philippines, our special coverage page.