Rotary is truly international - Rotary cares!

Weekly Elixir – Rotary Club of Parry Sound

…for the week of October 5, 2009

Rotary is truly international – Rotary cares!

Westlake Village Rotary Club in California helps the Philippines

When Tropical Storm Ketsana hammered the Philippine capital city of Manila Saturday, it caused an escalating humanitarian disaster that may soon become a major health crisis, said Edwin Velarde, an Oak Park businessman who is leading a local disaster relief effort to help thousands of flood victims.

“Because of massive flooding, we’re looking at huge health issues. We need to brace for a malaria outbreak as a result of standing water,” said Velarde. “And there’s also the threat of cholera — their sewer systems are mediocre and could be overwhelmed.”

Velarde, 48, was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States when he was 15. For the past 10 years, he’s been involved in humanitarian work in his native country through the Rotary Club of Westlake Village. Earlier this year, with funding from the Rotary Foundation and local Rotary Clubs, he helped build water wells in eight Philippine villages.

Last weekend, Typhoon Ketsana, known as Ondoy in the Philippines, pummeled large population centers in Manila and outlying areas, leaving 1.8 million people displaced or adversely affected by flooding, officials said. At least 240 people have died. The Philippine government has declared a “state of calamity” in Manila and 25 provinces.

Velarde said he wants to get bottled water and hot meals to flood victims in relocation centers. The best way of doing this, he said, is to provide funding to those already working on the ground in the Philippines.

The widespread devastation in the Philippines has made it almost impossible for thousands of people to get help, said Tony Grey, executive director of the Filipino-American Council of Ventura County.

“My concern is for the poorest victims because they’re the ones who suffer the most,” said Grey. He said that dozens of shanty towns in river areas and along railroad tracks are easily toppled by a typhoon.

“Their homes have been wiped out, and they’re in dire straits,” Grey said.
A failing infrastructure coupled with high rates of poverty contribute greatly to the crisis, said Bing De La Vega, founding president of the Philippine Emergency Disaster Relief Organization based in Los Angeles. One of the biggest concerns is the scarcity of clean water, he said.

“The Philippine government is doing its best,” he said, “but many are skeptical because of its limited resources.”

By Cynthia Overweg
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Source http://www.venturacountystar.com

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Location of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village in California
http://www.rotarywlv.org/