Surviving in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan is a big enough
test for the people of The Philippines. Scrambling for aid and living among the
severely damaged infrastructure is an ongoing, harrowing result of this major
natural disaster. On top of this nightmare exists the often undocumented struggle
that women and girls face during such vulnerable and desperate times. There is
a grave concern by Soroptimist International for the safety of women and girls
in the Philippines, post disaster.

In times of disaster there are surges in violence and
trafficking. Sexual exploitation, abuse and rape are all atrocities that become
more prevalent. Without secure shelter, women and girls having to travel on foot to obtain resources, and girls being abandoned or orphaned all contribute to
easier exploitation.

Approximately 600,000 people have been displaced by Typhoon Haiyan,
with at least 10,000 feared dead. The scale of this displacement has left women
and girls in the Philippines facing insecurity and gender crime. Soroptimist
International wishes to raise awareness of this and work to help the recovery
of those most affected.

Eighteen months after the earthquake in Haiti, a UN report
showed that sexual abuse and exploitation were widespread mainly because women
and girls could not obtain the goods and services they needed to survive.
Soroptimist International are acutely aware that the Filipino women and girls
desperately need protection mechanisms in place to prevent such crimes and to prevent a repetition of such crimes.

Some Governments are sending out protection specialists to
the affected areas to respond to this, and shipments of lanterns and mobile
phone chargers are being sent out to arm women and girls with some, if not a
small means of protection. Solar shelters are being discussed by the UN to
provide women and girls with light and security. Something which Soroptimist
International are really championing for over the next two years with our December 10^th Appeal.

Soroptimist International Action:

Soroptimist International of the Americas spoke with the Soroptimist Philippines Region
Governor on Monday but as yet there is very little information about the
Soroptimist clubs and members that have been affected.

Soroptimist International of the Americas are working with Soroptimist International of Europe and have a disaster
program in place – ‘the
Soroptimist Disaster Grants for Women and Girls’. Within this they have
dedicated a fund
for the ‘Super typhoon’ where you can make your donations to assist women and girls in the aftermath. These grants are most frequently made after the
immediate disaster relief efforts have been addressed, and focus on the
disaster recovery efforts for women and girls. Soroptimists of the Americas will also work with
Philippine SI members to identify any mission-based immediate relief
opportunities.

As well as focusing on recovery projects, SIA are asking members and supporters to contact governments and
emergency relief organizations to remind them that women and girls have special
needs in the aftermath of the disaster, including additional needs for safety,
sanitary supplies, and additional food and relief in their role as caregivers
or as pregnant or nursing mothers.

President Siew Yong for SI South West Pacific has also expressed
her sadness and shock of the scale of the disaster. She states ‘We as a Federation
of SWP would like to show our Soroptimist support and solidarity to assist our
100 sister clubs in the Philippines when the time comes in their mission to
help in disaster relief for those badly affected by the hurricane’. I am aware that many clubs, Soroptimists, and members of the public would like to
offer help and support in the form of a donation.  I am sending out this appeal for funds. Please send your donation
marked for ‘Haiyan’ SWP President’s Special Appeal.

Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) also have an Emergency Relief Fund in place which has been
created to provide immediate relief to victims of national and manmade
disasters throughout the world. SIGBI has so far made a donation of £2,000 to the
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which works with 14 UK based aid
agencies.  The DEC will direct funds to
aid agencies on the ground. Please visit their dedicated webpage to offer assistance through their programme.