26 November 2013 - Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and USAID Assistant Administrator Nancy Lindborg during a briefing on the U.S. response to typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)  last  November 23.

The briefing was held at the Student Union Building of NEIU from 1:00 to 2:30 pm with members of the Filipino American community present.  Ms. Lindborg, who flew all the way from the Philippines, briefed the Senator and the audience on the activities being undertaken by USAID in the typhoon-ravaged areas of the central Philippines.

During the briefing, she stressed that the crucial time is the time for rebuilding and rehabilitation, which would take several more months.  She also informed the audience that in disasters such as this, “the best way to help those affected is to make cash donations to reputable relief and charitable organizations working in the disaster zone since it reaches the victims faster and is more efficient due to the fact that the institutions that receive these donations already have people on the ground who are more familiar with the immediate needs of the victims.

In answer to questions from the audience, Ms. Lindborg then directed them the the website of USAID which lists several reputable organizations that people can direct their monetary donations to.

The latest figures on typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) as well as a list of organizations can be accessed at their website http://www.usaid.gov/haiyan. END