As a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Philippines – '66 – '67) and having returned many times since, I can tell you that this disaster is unprecedented there. We have found in an e-mail from the local Las Vegas Salvation Army corps (church) that the Salvation Army GARANTEES 100% of donations earmarked for Pilippine relief will go there. I trust the Salvation Army completely. Should you choose to donate I recomend the Salvation Army. The Red Cross? Not so much. They distribute only part of earmarked funds.
Obvious to all of us here on BPL potable water is the FIRST requirement for survival beyond adequate shelter and clothing. That is in very short supply in the Phils. disaster areas at this time. Even finding pots to boil water is a problem given the devastation according to one report from a relative there (island of Cebu). Hopefully they will get the supplies they need in time to avoid the spread of typhus.
For we backpackers with filters, purifiers and stoves potable water would not be a problem IF we could get to these aids should we be in a disaster situation. Perhaps carrying a pot, lid and one of our many stoves (and we all have several) and fuel in a crash-safe area in our cars is a good idea for emergency situations away from home. At the least ESBIT is one "crash-safe fuel" we can consider.
As a matter of personal protection for me and my Filipina wife when travelling in the Philippines I have always taken a filter, chlorine dioxide tabs and my Steripen Adventurer along with a small survival kit. All this fits into my fanny pack front pocket and a small headlamp in the main pocket. The water purification came in handy many times on outrigger trips to small islands and other land outings. The headlamp was a life-saver, as was my Gerber multi-tool, when our car had carbuerator problems one night many kilometers from home.
I remark on this to show that travel in 3rd world nations pretty much requires a "SHTF" kit as many of you who have travelled in them know.
Our home "SHTF" kits should be a bit more elaborate. These days Homeland Security puts disaster kit lists online. I consider them only a starting point.
