December 13, 2013
Mrs. Bach Mai Nguyen
Vietnamese Refugees for the Philippines (VR4P)
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
On behalf of the directors and members of the US-Philippines Society, thank you for the generous contribution from the Vietnamese Refugees for the Philippines in support of typhoon relief. We gratefully acknowledge receipt of your contribution of $20,000 received on December 2. Assistance is flowing to those in need.
Some 4 million people in the central Philippines were displaced by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Many hundreds of thousands sought shelter in makeshift evacuation centers. Medical services, electrical power, and basic infrastructure were severely interrupted. More than 6,000 people died, 27,000 sustained injuries, and 1,700 are still missing.
International assistance led by U.S. public and private sector initiatives is boosting the Philippine government’s ability to provide help to stricken areas. Emergency relief and the rebuilding needs that follow pose challenges that require massive resources. Your generosity will have an impact now and in the period ahead.
Your contribution is supporting on-the-ground work by reputable partner foundations headed by and accountable to Society directors.
For example, VR4P assistance is helping to distribute more than 8,000 relief kits along with medical supplies, repairs to maternal health clinics, and restoration of livelihood projects in hard-hit towns in Eastern Samar. Funds are also providing rice, tents, communications equipment and medicine in Leyte and Cebu. Your members are supporting debris removal and the rebuilding of fishing boats used by local fishing families in parts of Iloilo, as well as relief to indigenous people in Palawan who lost their homes.
Please accept my best regards along with deep appreciation for the concern shown for Philippine typhoon victims and their families. The decision by so many Vietnamese-Americans to “give back” in this time of need is a truly compelling humanitarian gesture.
Your donation will conform to activities appropriate to the Society’s 501(c)3 tax status, and is earmarked specifically for typhoon relief.
Sincerely,
Ambassador (ret.) John F. Maisto
President
US-Philippines Society
E-mail: Pres@usphilsociety.org