21 November 2013 - Around €18.5 million were raised by the Dutch ”Giro 555 voor de Filipijnen“ (Giro 555 for the Philippines) initiative of the Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties (SHO), a collaboration of relief organizations to help the people affected by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Giro 555 is a bank account for receiving financial donations to assist victims of calamities. The call to donate to typhoon Haiyan victims opened on November 11 and culminated on November 18 with a whole-day live marathon of television and radio broadcasts to collect donations.
The campaign was widely supported in the Netherlands as people from all walks of life participated in the initiative by directly donating money to the account or organizing their own simple activities to raise money. Artists performed and donated personal items for auction, while physiotherapists donated one day of their earnings to Giro 555. Even children pitched in the fundraising event, with some baking cupcakes and chocolate drinks to sell in order to come up with the money they donated.
Politicians and celebrities appeared on the show to extend their support and also answered telephone calls to receive donations. The judges from the popular TV show “The Voice of Holland”, as well as prominent Filipino-Dutch personalities pitched in, including reigning Mrs. Globe Sheryl Lyn Baas who is of Filipino descent.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who was on a foreign visit, spoke to express his condolences to the victims of the typhoon and also urge people to extend support. Towards midnight, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, who was also on a foreign visit, appeared on TV to say that the Dutch Government was adding another €4 million to its €2 million assistance given to the Philippines.
Members of the Filipino community from various cities and municipalities in the Netherlands were present at the main venue of the telethon in Hilversum. They shared Filipino dishes with volunteers, kept vigil and watched with tears in their eyes as they witnessed the empathy and friendship of the Dutch people in action.
“For the first time in many days, my spirits was lifted. I am truly thankful. It really shows that we live in one world and that we care for each other,” said one Filipino community member.
The SHO consists of CARE Netherlands, Cordaid in Mensen in Nood, ICCO & Kerk in Actie, Dutch Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, Refugee Foundation, Terre des Hommes, Netherlands UNICEF and World Vision.
Mr. Henri van Eeghen, Chairman of the Dutch Appeal for the Philippines and Chief Operations Officer of Cordaid, said in a statement that it is overwhelming that people in the Netherlands have made a gift through action and have come to help victims in the Philippines. He added that the Giro 555 facility will remain open to accept donations.
The Philippine Embassy in The Hague issued a statement thanking the Dutch Government, its people, the Filipino community and the international community in the Netherlands for their show of solidarity for the Philippines. In the message, the Embassy said of those who participated in the initiative…”their empathy for those affected by the typhoon touches us. Their spirit of volunteerism and generosity move us.” The Embassy also thanked the Filipino community in the Netherlands who rose to the occasion to do what they can in the spirit of “bayanihan.” END