The non-profit International Relief Teams was working Sunday with its in-country partners to deliver emergency supplies of food and water to communities in the central Philippines ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, where thousands are feared dead and tens of thousands have been left homeless.
IRT is working with Asia America Initiative, One World Institute, International Pharmaceutical Inc. Foundation and Health Futures International to provide clean water and water purification tablets, rice and canned fish to devastated communities, including Bohol, in the Pacific island nation.
"The need is especially great there because the area is still recovering from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol less than a month ago," IRT executive director Barry La Forgia said.
IRT coordinates with established agencies and nonprofits to ensure supplies are quickly distributed to those most in need.
"Our partners are already at work and have secured warehouse space, water trucks and vans," La Forgia said. "We are fortunate that the Manila region was relatively unharmed by the typhoon, so that we can procure relief supplies within the country, which allows for a faster response."
IRT is accepting donations online at www.irteams.org and by mail at 4560 Alvarado Canyon Road, #2G, San Diego, Ca., 92120, La Forgia said.
San Diego-based IRT assists victims of disaster, poverty and neglect.
The organization focuses on four core areas: disaster relief, medical education and training, surgical and clinical outreach and building healthy communities.
