NEW JERSEY 101.5

A massive relief effort is underway in Ocean County to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Residents appeal for help in the aftermath of the recent super typhoon in Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines
Residents appeal for help in the aftermath of the recent super typhoon in Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines (Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images)
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Medical supplies, hygiene items, canned goods and money are being collected through efforts led by the Filipino-American Community Development Center (FCDC) of Ocean County and a host of other partnering organizations.

FCDC President Doctor Jose Ramon Suatengco said items are being collected at Community Medical Center in Toms River today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

He said they're starting to pack boxes of donated items now because a distributing company has agreed to send the items to the Philippines for free on November 26th.

Suatengco explains that It's hard to imagine the impact that Typhoon Haiyan has had on the island nation of the Philippines when it struck on November 8th. He said the storm has left over 4,000 dead and 7 million homeless, and only now are government and international relief organizations getting a bigger picture of the true impact of the typhoon, which struck the chain of 7,000 islands.

Unlike the U.S., there are no insurance companies helping to cover rebuilding efforts, so the needs will be evolving and long-term.

Additional drop off sites will be announced on the group's website and on Facebook.

The FCDC has also established the FCDC Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund to receive tax-deductible donations at P.O. Box 4746 Toms River, NJ 08754. They can also be reached by phone at (732) 664-8120.

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