Help Cebu Rise Again: Donation Drive for Typhoon Tino Survivors

Hello everyone, I’m Emjei, a proud Cebuana now living abroad. Cebu will always be home, and my heart breaks seeing how Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) has left heartbreaking damage across the Visayas region — especially in my hometown.

Most of my neighbors who live near the river were severely affected. Their houses were flooded, roofs torn away, and families lost their homes, food, and clothing overnight. Electricity remains unstable in some areas, and many people are struggling to access clean water and basic necessities.

My family and neighbors back home were among those affected. Some of their homes were mostly destroyed — roofs ripped off, walls damaged, and furniture ruined by the floodwater. Others have been sleeping in damp clothes, relying on limited supplies, and trying to rebuild with whatever they can salvage.

As someone who now lives abroad, it’s painful to watch from afar and feel helpless. But I believe that even small acts of kindness can rebuild lives. That’s why I’m organizing this fundraiser and donation drive to bring direct help to those who need it most.

How Your Donation Will Help

All monetary donations and clothing contributions will go toward immediate and long-term relief for affected families.

Monetary donations will be used for:

Food packs: rice, canned goods, instant noodles, baby formula, and bottled water.

Basic health & hygiene: soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, first aid kits, alcohol, and face masks.

️ Emergency items: candles, flashlights, batteries, mosquito coils, and rain gear.

Dry clothes & bedding: for families who lost their belongings to flood damage.

Home repairs: roofing sheets, wood, nails, and other materials (if funding allows).

Even a small amount goes a long way:

• $10 can provide food and water for a small family for a few days.

• $25 can help purchase materials to repair a damaged roof.

• $50 can cover a week’s worth of essentials for one household.

For Those Who Want to Donate Clothes or Essentials

We are also collecting clothes, blankets, towels, slippers, and hygiene kits.

Donations can be shipped or dropped off — I’ll provide a local collection address once confirmed.

We also accept gently used clothes, as long as they are clean, wearable, and properly packed.

How We’ll Distribute Donations

My sister in Cebu will serve as the local coordinator. Once enough funds and donations are gathered, she will:

1. Buy supplies locally (to support small stores affected by the typhoon).

2. Work with volunteers from our barangay to pack and distribute relief goods.

3. Document the distribution — photos, updates, and receipts will be shared publicly for transparency.

We’re starting small — focusing first on families from our community, especially those living near the river — but as donations grow, we hope to extend help to nearby barangays that were also hit hard.

P.S. I’m also contributing personally to help our neighbors.

️ Why This Matters

Many families in Cebu are still trying to recover from the recent earthquake, and Typhoon Tino made things even harder. Some children haven’t returned to school because they lost their uniforms and supplies. Others are elderly or sick, struggling to rebuild while managing health concerns.

Through your generosity, we can help them get back on their feet — with shelter, food, warmth, and hope.

How You Can Help

Donate what you can — even the smallest amount matters.

Send clothes or essentials if you prefer physical donations.

Share this post or GoFundMe link to spread the word.

️ Keep Cebu in your thoughts and prayers.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for reading, sharing, and caring.

Together, we can bring light and hope back to Cebu.

DAGHANG SALAMAT.

— Emjei Mihich