Metro Detroit Philippine Community Raises Money For Typhoon Relief

DETROIT (WWJ)- Officials expect a skyrocketing death toll as recovery efforts get up to speed following a typhoon in the central Philippines. As many as 10-thousand people are believed dead in one Philippine city alone and 300 have been confirmed dead in another.

Metro Detroit's Philippine community is working to help since many of the 3500 Filipino people living in Metro Detroit have relatives in the area affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Tony Kho is the Executive director of the Philippine-American Community Center in Southfield.

"I just can't believe that every day , you know, first they say it's a hundred, then it says it's 1200, now there's talking about thousands and thousands. And they're just , you know, as soon as the water subsides, they see all these people just laying on the street."

Kho says many who live in Metro Detroit are trying to get information about relatives who live in the area hit by the typhoon.

"Some of them can get in touch with them through the satellite signal with their cell phones, you know, their I-Pad, but others just nothing because of the, the fact electricity , you know, electricity in the Philippines, in that part of the region, you know, just got shut down."

They are working to raise money to help the Philippines, just a few weeks after an earthquake hit the same region. Checks can be made out to: FILAMCCO Foundation.

Donations can be sent to : Philippine-American Community Center
17356 Northland Park Ct.
Southfield, MI 48075

Philippine Red Cross volunteer rescue and relief teams are providing assistance in the hardest hit communities, including assisting in search and rescue efforts and distributing food and relief supplies to survivors.

People who want to donate to the American Red Cross to support the response for this typhoon can go - HERE or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

Mail in a donation to your local Red Cross chapter.

For corporate or larger community fundraising events, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.