Help Sibuyan, Romblon, Philippines Recover from Typhoon Opong

Typhoon Opong has left a heartbreaking trail of destruction across Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Philippines. In just a few hours, lives were changed forever.

Homes have been destroyed, schools damaged beyond use, and entire livelihoods — especially those of farmers and fisherfolk — have been wiped out. Children are unable to return to school, and families are struggling to meet even their most basic needs like food, clean water, and shelter.

I am raising funds to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts for the people of Sibuyan, my beloved hometown. Every donation, big or small, will go directly toward:

• Emergency relief (food, water, hygiene kits)

• School repairs and supplies for students

• Shelter materials and home reconstruction

• Support for farmers, fisherfolk, and small businesses to restart their livelihoods

Sibuyan is a resilient and close-knit island community, but right now, we need your help. Your kindness can help families get back on their feet, give children a chance to return to school, and restore hope to those who have lost everything.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign. Together, we can help Sibuyan rise again.

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Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your incredible support and generosity. I wanted to provide some important updates and clarity around how the funds raised will be managed and distributed.

•Who is overseeing the withdrawal of funds, and into what bank account?

I, Mara Barot, am the sole person overseeing the withdrawal of funds. All donations will be transferred directly into my personal bank account, which is securely connected to this GoFundMe campaign. This setup ensures full accountability and proper tracking of all transactions.

•Who is responsible for the management of the funds (purchasing, distributing items, etc)?

I will be personally managing the funds, including making all purchases and coordinating the distribution of aid. I have a small, trusted team of volunteers who will assist in organizing and delivering the items to ensure everything reaches those in need as efficiently as possible.

•Will the funds be used for supplies or money? How will it be distributed?

The funds will primarily be used for purchasing essential supplies such as food, corrugated iron sheets and other urgent needs identified within the community. In some cases, a portion of the funds may be distributed directly as financial assistance to individuals and families, based on their specific situations. When financial support is given, it will be distributed fairly and transparently, in the form of direct cash assistance.

•What is the timeline for the aid to be offered?

The aid distribution begun already last October 2nd for our first batch and then followed by 2nd batch of distribution last October 7th… and hopefully to have the 3rd batch of helping the community if we have enough funds left. As of now, I haven’t transfer any funds yet from gofundme (due to some requirements that I need to do first before they release it) and the people who I got the foods and other stuff just trusted me and gave me the chance to pay it all later.

We aim to provide initial support, and then continue distributing aid over the following 4-6 weeks depending on the amount raised and the evolving needs of the community.

Your continued support means the world to us. Every donation, no matter how big or small, is making a real difference.

Thank you again,

Mara Barot

Campaign Organizer