Writing Prompt #2 - Aid

• Why have some countries donated more aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan than others?

Many countries have donated more aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, such as the United States who donated around 20 million dollars to the victims of the typhoon. I honestly believe that countries don't donate aid to due genuine altruism because I feel as if those countries would only donate if they get benefits from that donation. Yes, it could potentially partly because of altruism; however, they would also get a better reputation if they donated more. China is one country that was an anomaly out of the other countries for the amount that they're donating (100,000 US dollars) while having their economy is worth 7 trillion US dollars. A lot of perspectives insist that the reason behind this is due to the geopolitic controversies between the Philippines and China. 

• How does the aid being sent to victims of Typhoon Haiyan represent the following:
• altruism
• geopolitics
• economic interests
• neo-colonialism? 

Aid being sent to the victims represent altruism because it seems perfectly genuine for countries to donate millions of dollars to those who suffered under a calamity; therefore, it'll showcase the country/company's reputation as "genuine", and "kind" due to their donations. Countries such as China with their "low" donation show the geopolitical issues; however, they still donated an amount to show their respects, I believe? I'm not entirely sure.

Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda

So, as many of you may know, a "super-storm" has hit my country a couple of days ago that many know as "Typhoon Haiyan". Well, in the Philippines, we've been calling this "super-storm" Typhoon Yolanda. I always get confused whenever I see the news and thinking Typhoon Haiyan was a completely different typhoon. This typhoon was horrible, it resulted in the aftermath of around 10,000 estimated deaths in the province of Leyte alone. The storm didn't initially hit my area (Manila), but we experienced intense rainfall and wind action. Luckily, the storm passed our area on Saturday evening.

How does the devastation brought from Typhoon Haiyan make you feel?
Typhoon Yolanda was a bit of an experience for me, unlike Typhoon Ondoy where I experienced the intensity first hand, such as the intense flooding that hit my area in Manila, this typhoon created a lot of stress among my family even if the typhoon didn't necessarily hit us. But, I would remember the constant checkups on our relatives down in the province when the typhoon was hitting down the South of this strong archipelago. I saw my yaya crying because she had her father living in Leyte, one of the areas where the typhoon had it's peak. She told me that she couldn't contact them for weeks, because there was no signal. I honestly am saddened about my people, after all the natural disasters that we had upon our land, we still survive. I feel as if the Filipino people spirit never dies, as they say "The Filipino Spirit is waterproof", we will always survive despite the bumpy roads that come upon us.

How should people prepare for and respond to disasters like Typhoon Haiyan?
During the summer, I've been interning at the Senate of the Philippines under Senator Pia Cayetano. Sen. Pia gave me, and my friend Kevin an assignment that guides us to cooperate with a disaster organization that is striving to educate the Filipino people about preparing, and responding to incoming disasters. This organization is called Get Ready Pinas with a motto "Prepare. Inform. Act." Their aim is to provide information about preparing, responding, and surviving natural disasters/calamities, such as: Floods, Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions, etc. through the social media so that it has accessibility. However, while talking to this organization they believed that the Philippines should provide cheap survival kits, and establish evacuation centers for those who are vulnerable to calamities. I, on the other hand, believe that we should also educate those about preparing, and responding to such calamities.

Why do people live in vulnerable areas?
People live along the coastline due to the fishing industry, and because they can't afford to live in other areas.