Earlier this month, Typhoon Haiyan barreled through the South Pacific. While many countries were affected, including Vietnam, China, and Taiwan, the Philippines received the worst of the destruction in what was recorded as one of the largest storms on record.

Weeks later, authorities are still scrambling to assess the damage. Current estimates range from 2,500 to 10,000 deaths, with over 11 million people having been affected and 673,000 displaced. Many experts believe these numbers will continue to rise, with devastated infrastructure adding an extra hurdle to getting survivors the resources they need.

While the Philippines are thousands of miles from New York City, there are many ways you can add to relief efforts, both locally and on a global level. Please also educate yourself on the latest research on the connection between climate change and stronger weather, and on what policies the U.S. can take to mitigate the damage.

Take Action Now

Direct donations to international relief organizations:

International Rescue Committee
Save the Children
American Red Cross
Doctors without Borders
World Vision
Catholic Charities

Local fundraising efforts:

Fundraising Brunch at Purple Yam NYC (Nov. 17 & Nov. 24)
Filipino American Museum Fundraiser at Galapagos Art Space (Nov. 21)
Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment fundraiser at Lounge 247 (Nov. 21)
Fundraising concert at Payag Restaurant (Nov. 23)
Fundraising concert at Toshi’s Penthouse (Dec. 7)

Latest news:
BBC News: Asia
CNN: Asia
New York Times
Al Jazeera: Asia-Pacific

On-the-ground social media reporting:
Anderson Cooper (@AndersonCooper)
Andrew Stevens (@AndrewCNN)
Robert Mackey (@RobertMackey)
Tim Willcox (@BBCTimWillcox)
Yahoo! Philippines (@YahooPH)
Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross)

Resources for further reading:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report
The Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan
U.S. Global Change Research Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Climate Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply
NYTimes: The Inequality of Climate Change
United Nations Environment Program

(Photo credit: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)