Story
<p><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;amp; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;amp; color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst VSO is not a traditional emergency response provider, we have had a base in the Philippines for over 12 years and are working with partner organisations to help families affected by the flooding.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">VSO volunteers from Davao have been helping to repack relief goods meant for 1500 families of Bgy Hinaplanon, Iligan City and other communities in Lanao del Norte. Some of these goods have been donated by Alaska, Monde Nissin, Amesco and the British Embassy among other donors.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Volunteers on the ground are helping with distribution, but we need money to buy food for affected families who have lost their homes and possessions and are living in evacuation sites.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The first wave of distribution happened on the 21 December together with a medical mission and trauma healing session. Coffee for Peace and Starbucks opened their doors as drop-off centers for donations. Thank you to all our donors and volunteers.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; font-size: 10pt;">Please donate what you can now.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; font-size: 10pt;">Read the latest blog update on the flooding here:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt -0.75pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://blogs.vso.org.uk/index.php/2011/12/22/philippines-flood-response-efforts/">http://blogs.vso.org.uk/index.php/2011/12/22/philippines-flood-response-efforts/</a></span></p>