Early in April, a massive typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific.
Particularly hard hit were the Atolls of Ulithi (Mogmog, Falalop, Asor and Federai Islands), Fechaulap, and the Island of Fais.
You can help the recovery from this devastating storm. Habele is proud to recommend (this growing list):
SUPPLY CHAIN
Pacific Missionary Airlines (PMA): Decades of service and experience translates into an immediate response, daily delivering subsistence materials to islands with runways, notably Ulithi and Fais. Updates on the PMA Facebook page. Give to PMA here.
INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVES
Brad Holland is a free lance photographer whose startling pictures have brought world wide attention to the devastation. Among his ongoing efforts to tackle the crisis is a Fundly Donation Drive that allows for purchase of supplies on Yap Proper that are sent directly to Ulithi through PMA. Updates on Brad's Facebook page. Give to Brad here.
Peter Crispell is headed south from Guam to Ulithi with supplies. Peter is raising funds through IndieGoGo to bring basic building materials with him. Donate to Peter here.
REGIONAL NGOs and ISLAND COMMUNITIES
FUNSO (Fais Ulithi Ngulu Sorol Organization) was created to do exactly what is accomplishing now: coordinating immediate delivery of subsistence supplies to weather torn communities on its namesake islands. Connect with FUNSO through its Facebook Page.
Waa'gey is cultural organization using mentorships to sustain and expand traditional skills. Its defacto role as social organizer of Outer Islanders living on Yap Proper places it at the center of exchanges and logistics between islands. Wag'gey is particularly focused on remote islands (those lacking runways) and donations that fit within cultural practices. Donate to Waa'gey here.
Individual Micronesians -and their friends- living on Guam, in the Northern Marianas, on Hawaii and elsewhere have been fundraising and organizing donations.
Rotary Clubs throughout the region, including those on Pohnpei, Guam and in Palau and the Philippines are are compiling and sending donations of relief materials. Find your nearest club or contact one already organizing donations here.
SCHOOLS
Xavier High School, whose reputation as the preeminent secondary school in Pacific is undisputed, is soliciting donations through New York Province of the Society of Jesus. Funds will go both to the school and the surrounding communities in Chuuk. Donate here.
Outer Island High School (OIHS) on Falalop, Ulithi serves students from islands throughout Yap State. It was decimated by Maysak. Cal Tiweyang has a GoFundMe donation drive accepting contributions here.
BIG NGOS and GOVERNMENTS
The State Governments of Yap and Chuuk are organizing relief. The national government of the Federated States of Micronesia as well. International nongovernmental organizations such as the Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are similarly responding; so are US taxpayers through US AID.
... and of course HABELE!
Habele is an all volunteer, US-based, nonprofit established by former Peace Corps. Habele is working with it's local partners, including Waa'gey, creating Response Kits and Recovery Kits.
As Governments and large NGOs are taking big steps in providing water and food, temporary shelters, Habele is looking to the specific needs of communities in the mid- to long-term. This includes niche tools for demolition and reconstruction; logistical support and school materials for Outer Islanders migrating to Yap Proper for completion of the school year; as well as coordination and funding for women groups organizing donations of live planting food crops and trees.
To donate to Habele:
or send check or money order to
Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.
Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia.
If you'd prefer, then please consider one of the other groups or organizations listed above. Either way, thanks! Sa chigchig!
