According to Time Magazine, the Philippines is the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms. It is not unusual for the Philippines to have an average of twenty typhoons a year, with about three to five as more devastating than others. Compounding the current Covid-19 pandemic, having these unanticipated natural calamities further compounds the present scenario necessitating donations of funds and relief goods. Within three weeks these last two months, the whole of Metro Manila was submerged, disrupting relief and rescue efforts, especially to the most affected areas of the Bicol and Cagayan Valley Regions.

The University of Santo Tomas Nurses Association International’s (USTNAI) Executive Board and members have witnessed these occurrences on the media channels and are conscious of the most needed help. To some members and officers, this is another stress and cause of worry that have affected their loved ones. The Association feels the pain and angst of our families, especially in positively affected areas. We witness the formidable task of relief efforts, including rescue efforts, repair of damaged and ravaged areas, and the misery manifested in peoples’ faces while demonstrating intense resilience to survival.

The Association decided to extend its assistance to help those who do not have any other recourse to maintain basic needs. Despite the Association’s constraints in its mission and goals, the Association has to get out of its way to spare whatever it can to assist during this time of need. We continue to seek the guidance of the Almighty to grant us the wisdom to seek resources to meet basic needs and at the same time intensifying our Faith and pray for His provisions that human efforts cannot. Through USTNAI’s Alay ng Puso Program of the Community Outreach Committee, all our relief and rehabilitation efforts to aid the victims of Typhoon Rolly & Ulysses will be coordinated with the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association, Inc. (USTAI)

For His Greater Glory,
USTNAI