Typhoon Haiyan: How you can help

The Canadian government says it will match any donations to registered Canadian charities providing aid to the Philippines to deal with the devastating and deadly effects of Typhoon Haiyan.

Governments and humanitarian organizations that work in disaster zones stress that anyone wanting to help should donate money rather than goods like clothes or food. Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development recommends that Canadians donate to well-established organizations with solid experience working in disaster situations.

Here are some of the organizations accepting donations:

Typhoon Relief Fund: Any donation — up to $100,000 — to a registered Canadian charity involved in the relief effort will be matched by the Canadian government. Donations will be accepted until Dec 8. A list of organizations experienced in relief operations and tips for how to help are here. To verify whether an organization is a registered charity, use the Canada Revenue Agency's charities website.

United Nations World Food Programme: The UN agency has allocated $2 million US for the disaster response. Donations can be made here.  Several UN agencies have relief campaigns underway, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which is collecting donations here to help the more than nine million people displaced and otherwise affected by the disaster. The UN itself has launched a global appeal for $300 million US it says is needed to fund the relief efforts. 

UNICEF: The UN children's organization has sent an airlift to the Philippines with water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies. Donations can be made to the Canadian arm of UNICEF here.

World Vision: The Christian humanitarian organization works around the world, and said its relief efforts for the Philippines will include food, hygiene kits, emergency shelter and protection. It accepts donations here.

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans​ Frontières): The respected global organization that provides medical help in crisis situations has 15 staff in the city of Cebu on Cebu Island, one of six Philippine islands hit by the typhoon. The organization said it will send an additional 50 people, as well as cargo planes with medical and relief supplies, in the next few days. It accepts Canadian donations here. 

International Rescue Committee: The 80-year-old global organization provides aid to people displaced by crisis or conflict. It has dispatched an emergency team to Manila and launched a $10-million US appeal for donations. Its donation page is here.

Canadian Red Cross: The Canadian arm of the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is working with its local affiliate to assess what is needed and put together rapid response teams. Canadians can donate here.

Humanitarian Coalition: An umbrella group for several charities that co-ordinate their international relief efforts to reduce duplication. The group includes Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, CARE Canada, Save the Children Canada and Plan Canada. Donations to their Typhoon Haiyan aid efforts can be made here.

Action Against Hunger (Action Contre La Faim): The international aid organization has been working in the Philippines since 2000. Its relief effort includes setting up mobile water treatment plants, massive "bladders" for distributing clean water, and emergency pumps and filtration systems to ensure access to water in the coming weeks. It's accepting donations here.

Global Medic: A Canadian charity, part of the David McAntony Gibson Foundation, that provides medical units and water purification systems in global emergencies. It has worked in the Philippines during past natural disasters and its current operation there is focused on providing water purification units. It will also be air-freighting 1.4 million tablets capable of purifying 1.4 million litres of water to the disaster zone. Donate here.

Anyone concerned about family or friends who might be in the disaster zone can contact Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre at 1-800-387-3124 or 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted), or email [email protected].