URJ Continues Disaster Relief Funding
This week, the Union for Reform Judaism disbursed its second round of disaster relief funding to support rebuilding efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. To date, the URJ has released nearly $250,000 for the relief efforts, and we continue to partner with both North America and Philippines-based NGOs to support the most critical needs related to the recovery. Here is a summary of the March 2014 allocations:
- Samdhana Institute, $60,700 As emergency supplies were being distributed immediately following the storm, Samdhana’s staff began a needs assessment of storm victims. They discovered large portions of the population with severely damaged homes and loss of income that were not being attended to by government or relief agencies. This grant provides emergency financial assistance to dozens of families, and will provide small business owners with the opportunity to repair or replace damaged and lost boats, businesses, and homes.
- Mercy Corps, $25,000 With more than 30 million Filipinos earning less than $2 US per day, many Filipinos have spent what little they have to do necessary repairs to damaged property. Mercy Corps has established an unconditional emergency cash program, disbursing funds in two waves. The first distribution ($45 per family) is helping storm victims cover emergency needs, including food and household supplies. The second ($27 per family) will help cover lost assets. The URJ’s grant will allow Mercy Corps to support nearly 350 additional families.
- National Asian American Coalition & Pandan Bay Foundation, $25,000 Together, the NAAC and Pandan Bay Foundation are working to rebuild schools and libraries that were destroyed in rural Antique province. This grant covers more than half of the anticipated costs of repairs and will ensure that building are rebuilt to withstand stronger storms.
- Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, $10,000 As part of the URJ’s international disaster relief efforts, we contribute a small percentage of funds raised to the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief (JCDR). The JCDR provides a coordinated Jewish response to storm efforts, and the URJ holds a seat on its executive committee. Learn more about JCDR’s allocations for Typhoon Haiyan recovery at www.jcdr.org.
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