Filipino-led gaming guild Yield Guild Games raised over P50 million from its donation drive and joined forces with the Philippine Army and Navy to deploy essential goods to those affected by Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao Region.
“While the community has acted fast and accumulated a significant amount of money from those who are willing to help the victims of the typhoon, we needed to tap organizations that already have the capacity to ensure that the goods reach everyone who needs them,” YGG Country Manager Luis Buenaventura said.
YGG has turned over close to 10 million pesos worth of medicines and diapers, potable water, canned foods, biscuits, coffee and cash donations to the Philippine Army and Navy, as well as non-profit organizations, to support victims in Leyte, Cebu, Siargao, Surigao, Bohol, Negros and Dinagat Island, among others.
“The typhoon has damaged electricity and telecommunication lines in many areas in Visayas and Mindanao, making it harder for people to connect and send help to those affected,” Major Cenon Pancito of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Media and Civil Affairs Group, Civil Relations Service said.
“With the combined efforts of communities such as YGG and our own resources, we can effectively provide the necessary support Odette victims need at this time.”
Additionally, YGG also worked with international and local organizations alike to provide support. The guild has provided cash donations to World Food Programme Philippines and World Vision Development Foundation Fund for their own disaster relief efforts in various locations.
YGG also supported community-led efforts targeting specific locations ravaged by the typhoon. These efforts include a medical mission in Siargao, provision for solar-powered lights by Bangon Bohol, and delivery of meals and water by Axies Alerts in Tigbauan, Iloilo and Sipalay, and Negros.
YGG has also provided thousands of affected victims with P10,000 cash payouts each to support rebuilding efforts.
“We, at YGG, are very grateful for members of the community who started this initiative, everyone who has contributed to our donation drive, and the organizations we reached out to and are working with,” Buenaventura said.
“We hope that all our efforts will provide relief for Odette victims and help them recover and rebuild faster.”