Wharton Journal

Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News

Last Saturday, the 26th of September, the Philippines was ravaged by the worst tropical storm it has seen in 40 years – Tropical Storm Ketsana (“Ondoy”).   An equivalent of a month’s worth of rain poured into the northern part of the country within six hours, and saw several towns and cities – including the capital, Manila – literally submerged in floodwater.

So far, more than two hundred have died and over 500,000 – including some of the family and friends of our Filipino classmates – have been evacuated from their homes.  Damage to infrastructure has hit the US$100 million mark, and the death toll continues to rise.  Hundreds are still missing and scores continue to go without food, dry clothing, drinking water, or shelter.  To make matters worse, another tropical typhoon is headed towards the same region, threatening to compound the damage Ketsana has already inflicted.

In this light, the Philippines truly needs your help.  We invite you to spread the word about this tragedy and to lend a helping hand to the ongoing relief causes.  No amount would be too small – whatever you could spare would go a long way. 

Below are the ways to donate online:

a. Ateneo de Manila University Relief Fund (through the Ayala Foundation website):
1)  http://af-usa.org/donate_now.asp
2)  Select "Ateneo Task Force Ondoy”

b. Philippine National Red Cross
1)  http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972
2)  Select “Typhoon Ondoy”
For more information, go to www.PhilippineAid.com. Thank you very much for your support, thoughts, and prayers.

We are proud to be coordinating this initiative as part of the Student Calamity Fund, a student-led donation drive for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (also called Typhoon Ondoy) in the Philippines. It is a joint effort of students and alumni all over the world including: Columbia, Harvard, INSEAD, MIT, Stanford, Penn/Wharton, Audencia Nantes SOM, London Business School, University of New South Wales, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, SMU, IESE, AGSM, Berkeley and others. Our Singapore partners include the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Singapore Management University.

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