<https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002552641279&ref=tn_tnmn> The only 1st. Aid of any type for three weeks in our BRGY was Tom & Tex. No assistance whatsoever. NOTHING. Shameful --- nothing short of disgusting. And it continues to-day. WHO & OXFAM & RED X riding around Tacloban in Toyots LandCruiser 4X4's while Samaratans Purse can get by with cab vans with flatbed rear. PHP550,000 compares to 4X4's at 10 times that price. Tom
I really would like to know exactly where the more than £83 million that the British public have so far donated to the DEC appeal has been spent. How much has been used to pay salaries to those charities' quite highly paid executives and non-field staff? And what exactly are these charities using the rest of the money for because there is scant evidence of their presence in the badly-affected areas? This appeal is one of the most successful, in raw cash terms, that DEC has mounted but there appears to be absolutely no accountability as to where this huge sum has gone.
I agree with you Markham, it really does make you wonder where all the money goes, it certainly doesn't filter quickly through to the most needy which is paramount in these disaster areas. I remember years ago that I was interested in doing a little charity work overseas as I was unemployed and had time on my hands. I thought it might enhance my CV. I was astonished to find that you had to pay the charity to work for them. I have many years experience on overseas engineering projects and I thought they would snap my hand off, all I wanted was free board and lodgings.
Looks rough Tom, all credit to you and Tex for trying to help others in the middle of your own personal disaster (I mean your own storm damage), you had not been there that long for this kind of thing to happen.
There was a website somewhere that I can't remember now that listed the apparent salaries / expenditure of charities. Oxfam is supposedly one of the better ones where something like 90% of donated money gets to where its supposed to be going. It is very apparent that aid is not getting to those outside of the main cities. The wifes province one barrio next to the main highway has seen one aid drop since all this happened. Other villages a little futher of the beaten track have received none. It is disgusting how this has / is being handled and it appears to have been swept under the carpet now, there was talk of how this has highlighted corruption etc out here but it looks like the next big news story came along and its forgotten about. 83milkion quid is a lot of money, some will "disappear" that's for sure. I estimated only about 20% of money raised will make it to where it needs to go to make an impact
Now at Brum Airport for flight to Cyprus . I served there in the '60 and have been back a few times. It will be like going home. & great FOOD.!!! Tex is attending an Art school there for 6 months. Her selfless help in our community and National TV interviews had the great result of an offer to attend the art school. No fee, "waived" & just Euro 1,500 for accommodation for both of us for the 6 months. She will have a studio space and I am hopefull that she will de-stress in her time there. I felt "restricted" from saying a lot while in Leyte BUT when I reach Cyprus I will post more. Two "Foreigners" to my knowledge on Leyte were "threatened" with deportation +++ ? for their outspoken comment on the stolen Aid.. ... I was videoed reminstrating with a Red Cross exec. watched by PI Soldiers and Police at the Airport. Tex feared I would be arrested and deported... I was applauded instead BECAUSE the watchers knew I told the truth. My Engineer Bro-in-Law returned to his office 15 days after Typhoon Terrible and he and colleagues with the irrigation/domestic water supply maps calculated that the donations pledged and receiver in the Philippines at that time, November, 2013 would have ?? given EVERY household on the domestic water supply map a sum of £24,500 ................AND the $$$$ CASH kept rolling in for a further 3+ months. Tex researched her family's receipt of "Foreign Aid" and also other town on Leyte and her figure was a MAX of Aid worth £100 and she said she was being generous in her calculations. I visited a Pinoy Dr. friend yesterday, in UK, and he said "Tell them Tom - go to the BBC - write about the shame of our politicians and the complicity of the Aid Agencies." (though not all) He said "Tom I told, his wife, £10,000,000 aid for a "project" will immediately become PHP10,000,000 and then further reduced by the "contractors" "Tell them Tom" "You now know the truth". I spoke to the Mayor of Tanauan who told Tex, when she reported that NO food had been received by some families in our BRGY, that he had been sending food parcels for EVERY family FOR 10 DAY's. The BRGY Capitan had only given to those who voted for him.!!! My Khukuri arm was twitching. NO ONE spoke against him.!!! but Tex did and her sister told Tex not to annoy the Capitan.. z@#xsar2345t's So very VERY sad that such resilient people are led by SCUM = Crooked & GREEDY politicians Tom
I will John while in Cyprus. I still feel the "rage" well up at the thought of such abuse of monies given with good intent.!!! AND then stolen by the £M's Tom
Exactly the same thing happened to Elsa's family in Brgy. San Juanico - the captain said quite bluntly to Tatay there's no food for you because you "didn't vote for me, and anyway, the Barangay was apparently full of foreigners" so Tatay and Nanay didn't get any food aid and had to rely on other family members to resort to stealing or looting. Words fail me, hope that Barangay captain chokes on his ill-gotten supply of aid meant for people who really needed it. Scum is indeed the correct word.
Sad to say but the BBC are unlikely to be interested, the liberal namby-pambies employed by the Corporation don't do investigative journalism any more for fear of upsetting somebody. A much better bet would be Channel 4 Dispatches whose researchers have less regard for the niceties of not treading on others' toes.
This still makes me sick to my stomach. This whole episode has really tarnished this country for me. The physical place is still beautiful to me as are some of the people but in general any small amount of power out here corrupts absolutely. I've had enough and as soon as we can I'm going to be looking for an exit back to blighty. The wifes sister has advised against traveling to Western Samar via Tacloban as its still too dangerous. Maybe we'll get there in 4-6 months. Philippines will always be a 3rd world country whilst those that have the power remain in power. Unfortunatley I don't think this will ever change regardless of who is in power at what ever level.
Now in Cyprus 2 weeks staying in an Art College room. Looked at two appartment's with Med view. A 1 bed @ Euro 220 a month and a 2 bed @ 260 a month furnished. Less than 1/2 the rent I get for my UK flat. All my possessions other than 2 suitcases will stay in PI. I will NOT return. Tacloban is safe to travel through IMO. Samar I do not know.?? Tom
