RAFI cancels Christmas party for typhoon victims

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) president Roberto “Bobby” Aboitiz announced the cancellation of their Christmas party last Dec. 13 to give priority to the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda in northern Cebu.

“In solidarity with the many individuals and families devastated by the calamity, I regret to announce that we are canceling this year’s Christmas party,” Aboitiz said.

“During this time, lives have been shattered. The recent happenings need our attention,” he said.

RAFI used the budget intended  for the Christmas party in their relief efforts.

The RAFI team went to northern Cebu on the same day to distribute 4,500 shelter kits to the beneficiaries in the towns of Medellin, Daanbantayan and Madridejos in Bantayan Island.

The shelter kit contains kitchen ware, carpentry tools such as hammer, saw and nails, a blanket, a mosquito net, a tarpaulin and a ground sheet.
Given along with the kit is a voucher entitling the beneficiary to avail of lumber and bamboo matting (amakan) that are needed in rebuilding their damaged houses.

The shelter kits are also funded by the RAFI partner organizations, such as the  Islamic Relief Worldwide, People in Need, Vereniging Haarlemmermeer Cebu, International Rescue Committee and Caritas Germany.

Prior to the distribution, RAFI deployed teams to assess the needs of the beneficiaries.

RAFI’s relief operations are ongoing in northern Cebu.

It is likewise helping the Archdiocese of Palo in its relief efforts in Samar and Leyte.