How to Help Typhoon Survivors: Organizations Offering Relief

Millions of residents have been displaced and are in need of drinking water and food.

Typhoon Haiyan, which struck six central Philippine islands this month, was the strongest typhoon of the year and one of the strongest storms on record.

Estimates of the number of people it has killed vary, but the Phillipines government put the death toll Saturday at 3,637 deaths.

For full coverage of typhoon Haiyan, visit NBCNews.com

Millions of residents are in desperate need of drinking water and food. Several organizations are deploying urgent relief efforts on the islands, according to a list compiled by NBC News. Most organizations are asking for monetary donations, so they can help provide relief. Find out how to help:

The American Red Cross is opening a call center in the national capital region to accept inquiries about missing people in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the area. The Red Cross says its call center is operating Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Inquiries about family members in the Philippines can be directed to 703-584-8761. Inquiries about U.S. citizens in the affected area should be directed to the U.S. State Department at 1-888-407-4747.

The Philippine Red Cross said it has mobilized teams on the ground to help with rescue and relief operations.

UNICEF is taking donations to help provide children with shelter, clean water, nutrition and vaccines.

World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations organization, said it will send more than 40 tons of high energy biscuits and work with the Filipino government to help with logistics and emergency communications systems. It asks for donations at www.wfpusa.org or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.

Save the Children is mounting disaster relief efforts to help children and families in the region with emergency assistance.

The Registered Nurse Response Network, a project of National Nurses United, has sent more than 2,000 volunteer nurses to the Philippines. The RNRN needs donations to get large numbers of nurses on the ground to assist over the coming months.

Catholic Relief Services is accepting donations on its website as it begins moving supplies and staff to respond to the typhoon.

World Vision said it will provide food and water to those in evacuation shelters. It asked for one-time donations to be made at worldvision.org.

Habitat for Humanity plans to offer shelter repair kits for families who need to re-build their damaged houses.

Operation USA said it will allocate donations directly to relief and recovery efforts.

National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) has created a disaster relief fund for victims in the Philippines.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has begun collecting donations for relief efforts. To contribute, go to www.jdc.org or call 212-687-6200.

Google has also launched a person finder.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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