Northern Nevadans Walk Sunday to Support Philippines Typhoon Victims

Northern Nevada students and others are holding "Walk for Philippines Typhoon Victims" starting at University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) on November 24 in support of the victims of deadly super-typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), one of the most powerful ever recorded on land.

It is organized by GienieMae Camacho Oquendo, who heads the "Nevadans Helping Philippines Typhoon Victims", and backed by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Various campus and outside-campus organizations are supporting this “Walk” effort, which, after starting from Joe Crowley Student Union in UNR campus at ten am, will go to Reno Arch on Virginia Street.

“Walk” organizers will be reaching out for contributions to help the victims. A Condolence Book will be opened for the public to sign at the start of the “Walk”, which will begin with lighting a lamp and invocation by Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism. Organizers have requested participants to wear white t-shirt to show support to victims.

Rajan Zed has urged public to wholeheartedly support the victims as the need was massive and immediate.

About a dozen relatives of Oquendo; who was born in Sapian in Capiz province of Philippines, which is part of the damaged area; are affected by this typhoon. Until recently, she was a Senator in Student Government of Truckee Meadows Community College; and now she is a freshman at UNR, aiming at accounting major.

Thousands of people are reported dead and injured and houses damaged and many are missing by this typhoon in central Philippines which brought winds up to 195 mph and which has been declared a national calamity. It has affected millions of people, making many homeless, and costing damage worth many billions. Reports add that in some cities/towns, 90% of housing has been destroyed with this typhoon, which struck November eight and left a trail of devastation and brought waves as high as 45 feet. Some islands are completely flattened and reduced to piles of debris. This region was still reeling from the Bohol earthquake in October and Haiyan’s impact could slow the entire Philippines economy.

For more information, please contact Rajan Zed at rajanzed@hotmail.com