ABAG!

Rebuilding Lives, Empowering Communities c/o The Fair Trade Shop, Room 102, Jose R. Martinez Building, Osmeña Blvd, City

November 12, 2013

Dear Friends in the Global Fair Trade Network,

Greetings of Peace and Solidarity!

The recent earthquakes that hit Cebu and has claimed scores of lives have caused untold damages to homes, buildings and even old churches that we, Cebuanos and Boholanos have cherished as part of our heritage. But even more serious is the Dislocation following the quake that left thousands of our countrymen and women without food, water and shelter even as aftershocks and new quakes continue to be felt.

Last November 8, 2013, the Super Typhoon Yolanda seriously hit visayas causing grave destruction and lives to thousands of families and communities. Cebu and Bohol are not spared from the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Northern part of Cebu is seriously devastated from Catmon, Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, Daan Bantayan and and Bantayan Island. The Earthquake affected areas in Bohol experience again the impact of Yolanda.

We have not been able to provide fully the relief needs of affected communities in Bohol and now we are compelled to give response to affected communities with our Networks in the Northern Part of Cebu and Bohol devastated by Yolanda.

In response, the CebuBohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center (CRRC), Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET), Southern Partners Fair Trade Center (SPFTC), Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC), Women’s Resource Center of the Visayas (WRCV), Iglesia Filipina Independiente- Visayas Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD), Visayas Primary Health Care Services (VPHCS), Visayas Human Development Agency (VIHDA), FIsherfolk Development Center (FIDEC), Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) -Visayas Unit and other concerned civil society organizations have joined together to form Abag-Central Visayas to answer the need not only for the immediate relief of affected communities but also to begin their long-term rehabilitation.

As part of these efforts, we are appealing to you for any financial or material assistance in the form of bottled water, rice, canned goods and other supplies that will be distributed to communities in Bohol and Cebu affected the recent Natural Disasters we have had and that have not yet been reached by ongoing relief efforts.

We fervently hope that you can also help and support our efforts to rebuild the situation of our Community Partners in Cebu and Bohol.

It is a sad fact that the poor and marginalized are the most affected in times of disaster. Your help will not only help them make it through this difficult time but also help them rebuild their shattered communities.

In anticipation of your favourable response, we extend our thanks.

Sincerely yours,

Teresisia Jagmoc Oliver Gimenez, MD Geraldine Labradores

Executive Director, CRRC Executive Director, CERNET Managing Director, SPFTC

Drop In Centers:

1. The Fair Trade Shop Address: Room 102 Jose R. Martinez Bldg Osmeña Blvd., Tel. No. 238-2671 Cp. 0939-624 3408 0923-420-4166

2. Farmers Development Center (FARDEC) Address: # 13 P. Rodriguez St. Capitol Site, Cebu City Tel. No. 254-8548, 253-5602 Cp No. 0933-386-8334

3. Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET) Address: Door 5 Rosdell Apartment Englis V. Rama Ave., Cebu City Tel. No. 256-3803, 514-9919 Cp. No. 0918-651-6132 0933-378-5501

Task Force Members:

1. CebuBohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center (CRRC) – lead agency

2. Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET)

3. Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC)

4. Bohol Peoples Arts Development Center (BPADC)

5. Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) – Visayas Unit

6. Fisherfolks Development Center (FIDEC)

7. Southern Partners Fair Trade Center (SPFTC)

7. Visayas Primary Health Care Services (VPHCS)

8. Visayas Human Development Agency (VIHDA)

9. IFI-Visayas Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD)

10. Womens Resource Center of Visayas (WRCV)