Sil Wong is a member of the relief group, EMPACT Northwest. She and several teammates returned Wednesday from a 10-day mission to the Philippines where Typhoon Haiyan has killed more than 4,000 people and left millions more injured or homeless.Wong’s team worked with Filipino military and law enforcement on search-and-rescue operations. They combed through areas that hadn’t been searched, hoping to find people alive. They found none.
But amidst the destruction, Wong was left with some indelible images:
In the middle of absolute catastrophe, we saw the most amazing acts of kindness. My team was really having a problem finding transportation. Most of the cars were destroyed. And what cars there were left, it was really hard to find fuel. So we literally were going around the city asking if we could rent somebody’s private vehicle. There was one gentleman named Felix, and he was so grateful to be able to help and donate his large truck. He didn’t want any money for it. He didn’t have a clue where we were going to be headed -- we didn’t know where we were going to be headed -- and he just let us borrow his truck. Our security detail – our two guys who were with us – seasoned soldiers who have seen a lot, have done a lot, and they were in absolute tears as we were bringing the bodies of children out. They were so moved that people from the US – literally around the world – would come and help them. They’ve become lifelong friends now. I talked to a lady – there was a little boy that was living with her, a neighbor boy who is now an orphan -- and we asked her what was going to happen to him. And she said, he’s just now part of the family. And you know very well she’s going to be struggling to support her own family, let alone another child.
The Empact team has responded to other disasters around the world, including the earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in Japan, and flooding in Pakistan. But for Wong, this disaster has been different.
This relief effort seems exceptionally slow. It was frustrating to see so many areas just within five minutes of the heart of things -- just within five minutes of the UN compounds - to see these areas un-searched, with no food coming in. The good thing is, we were on the ground and the day we left, we were just starting to see a little bit of help coming through.
Wong urged people to do what they can to help.
If you’re able to donate $5, donate $5. Five dollars in the Philippines goes a long way. Just do something. Whatever that happens to be for you, but just don’t let it be forgotten.
The Filipino Community of Seattle is coordinating a number of fund-raising events and other resources to help victims in the Philippines, including a benefit dinner and dance Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center in Seattle. For more information, call 206-722-9372.
