Calamity Response

Dear Alumni and Friends:

Two recent disasters in the country – the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda – have challenged the resiliency of the Filipino nation. Both have caused the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. While Silliman has been spared by the devastation, we decided to act in inspiring hope among the many who continue to suffer until today.

In both disasters, we took cognizance of the needs of our students from the areas that were affected. We are conscious of their struggles, and are aware of how their present condition may pose a threat to their dream of earning a Silliman education. We are conscious as well of the need to give material, psychosocial and technical relief assistance to devastated communities, and to fortify our own campus from such events.

Relating to this, Silliman University has created the “Continuing Calamity Response Program”. The establishment of this Program was confirmed by the Board of Trustees in its November 30, 2013 Special Meeting.

About the Program

The Program is guided by four objectives:

• Provide financial assistance to students from the affected areas, calibrated according to need and based on availability of funds. The financial assistance comes in the form of any or a combination of the following: partial or full discounts for tuition and/or board and lodging.
• Mobilization of a team for continuing psychosocial intervention, technical assistance and service-learning activities in the communities affected.
• Reinforcement of the University’s climate resiliency in its logistical preparations, precautionary measures, infrastructure design and development, and IEC (information, education and communication) approaches.
• Provide immediate disaster relief to affected communities.

Appeal for Support

The University is appropriating 3% of its audited annual income starting this fiscal year 2013-2014 towards the Program. We are aware though that with natural disasters increasing in frequency and magnitude, we need more in order to better prepare for what are “new normal” natural occurrences.

We call on our friends and alumni for support.

Current figures point to 105 students from Bohol and 92 from Leyte and Samar – areas affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the super typhoon Yolanda. A good number of these students whose means of living may have been compromised can benefit under this Program.

How to Support

Donations can be made through any of the following:

Option A

Donations may be made directly to Silliman via any of the banks listed below. For us to trace donations deposited in any of these banks, please observe  the following: (1) send through e mail the validated deposit slip to [email protected], cc [email protected]; (2) write in the subject line “Continuing Calamity Response Program Donation”; and (3) indicate in the e-mail [a] the purpose of the deposit, [b] full name of the donor, and [c] mailing address and contact number of the donor.

Option B

For those in the United States, donations may also be made through the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. These are donations specifically for “Scholarships” for the students from the areas affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the super typhoon Yolanda.

Accountability to Donors

The Program will adopt mechanisms of ensuring best benefit to those most in need of assistance. This includes being able to assess applications for assistance, in order for any support to go towards the continuing education of the students involved.

Through the Office of the Vice President for Development, the University will issue official receipts to our donors. We shall also endeavor, as we always do, to provide regular updates on the utilization of funds under this Program. A similar report will be  released to the public on the University website.

Please let us know how we may further facilitate your engagement in the “Continuing Calamity Response Program”. Feel free to e-mail us at [email protected], or call us at +63 35 422-6002 local 224.  You may also get in touch with the Director for Alumni and External Affairs at [email protected] or call local 290.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

JANE ANNETTE L. BELARMINO
Vice President for Development