| Dear Gregory
I have been absolutely horrified to see the appalling tragedy that is happening on the other side of the world – in the Philippines – as a consequence of the typhoon that struck the two coastal provinces of Leyte and Samar.
Typhoon Haiyan is feared to have killed at least 2,500 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
The DEC, a group of 14 leading UK aid organisations, have said the relief effort is being severely hampered by roads made impassable and airports closed by the typhoon.
Apparently DEC members are doing all they can to get aid through but they need a huge injection of funds in order to do so. The priorities are getting food, water and shelter to people in desperate need.
The DEC comprises the charities Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
Eastbourne is also a coastal town and I can’t even imagine how utterly awful it must be for our fellow seaside residents, so I’d like us as a town to try and help in a co-ordinated manner. Consequently I will be contacting the Herald to see if together Eastbourne can do a real funding push. I’ve set up an appeal on the JustGiving website called the Eastbourne Philippine Fundraising Appeal – see link here. Every penny raised will go to the DEC
Many thanks
Stephen Lloyd MP
Eastbourne and Willingdon Constituency. |