A YOUNG Hampshire woman from the Philippines whose family is struggling to survive in the wake of the devastating typhoon is raising money to try to save them.
Elmarie Ward, 24, a talented singer who now lives in Ringwood, performed in Bournemouth Square and is looking for more gigs to raise vital funds for her family.
All the homes of her extended family have been destroyed on the Island of Batanyan in the Philippines and her four sisters and brother have been left with nothing. She said: “They are all starving and have no water, shelter or medicine because the typhoon completely devastated everything in its path.
“I want to raise money which I can send directly to them because I’m worried the aid and support by the charities will not reach them.
“I have barely been able to contact them because the electricity is down on the island, so no one can charge their phones.”
Elmarie raised £287 singing and hopes to organise more concerts so she can send as much as possible to help her family and village.
More than 4.3 million people have been affected by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan according to the Filipino national disaster agency and 10,000 could be dead in the city of Tacloban in Leyte alone.
The British Government has pledged more than £6m in aid and support for the Philippines while UK public support has taken the total to £50m. The UN estimates 2.5million people need food aid.
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