A local foundation known for rushing medical aid to developing nations in the wake of natural disasters is asking for help in its effort to offer short- and long-term assistance to the Philippines.
Brother’s Brother Foundation is working with the Philippine American Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania to move medical supplies to areas impacted by Typhoon Yolanda.
Brother’s Brother is asking for cash donations to move the supplies.
“We do provide medical supplies … but we would get those from corporate sponsor and hospitals,” said Luke Hingson, president of Brother’s Brother.
A truck full of supplies has already left the foundation’s warehouse and as of Friday morning was on its way to Baltimore, where it will be loaded onto a ship bound for the Philippines.
Hingson says it will take about a month to get those items to the Philippines.
“There might be some air shipments in between,” Hingson said. “The needs are long-term. You can help there today, but they might need help in three months, six months. It just takes a while to recover.”
Hingson said Brother’s Brother has worked with Philippine American Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania and other Philippine American groups for more than 30 years to send medical supplies and volunteers to more than 30 Philippine hospitals so they already have a good foundation in the region.
“The typhoon is just now leaving the Philippines so there is a lot of information that has to be learned beyond the declaration of disaster,” Hingson said.
Checks can be sent to Brother's Brother Foundation/Philippines Relief, 1200 Galveston Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Credit card donations can be made at the foundation’s website or at 412-321-3160.
Hingson stresses that all of the money donated will be used to cover shipping costs. None will be used for overhead costs.
