Malibu locals Carla Rowland and Ian Zamora are joining the Philippines relief effort after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the country on Nov. 8.
Rowland and Zamora were in La Union, Philippines when the typhoon hit and, although La Union did not suffer much damage, they are now travelling to Cebu, Philippines, to provide water filters and education about water-borne illnesses.
Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, is reportedly one of the largest recorded typhoons in history. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III told CNN that the death toll is expected to be around 2,000 to 2,500, and the government reported that more than 2 million people are in need of food aid.
Rowland and Zamora were in La Union doing work with their organizations, The Surf Institute and Zamora Surf; and Waves for Water. The Surf Institute provides comprehensive surf lessons in California and the Philippines. This was the third year Rowland and Zamora teamed up to supply clean drinking water filters to communities in the Philippines main island, Luzon.
Rowland has been providing updates about her actions and how other can help through her Facebook page since the typhoon hit. Her most recent update, posted Tuesday, asks for support:
“[We] need your help covering costs for [our] mission to bring clean drinking water filters to the Filipino victims of #supertyphoonhaiyan. Here is one way you can show your support…” she wrote, linking to a TSI fundraiser page. “Even the smallest gesture can make a BIG difference!”
Rowland and Zamora are asking for donations on The Surf Institute website to help fund their stay in Cebu and other relief costs.
