Chancellor: Typhoon-Ravaged Philippines Needs Our Help

In the wake of the devastating typhoon in the Philippines, UC San Francisco Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, sent out the following message to the campus community last Wednesday:

Dear Colleagues:

I share the deep concern and sadness that the UCSF community is experiencing with the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which has devastated the Philippines, particularly with heavy destruction within the Visayan islands of Samar and Leyte, where the number of casualties is feared to be in the thousands and lack of resources extremely critical.

As reported, the demands on the rescue effort are overwhelming. Many relief organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Philippine Red Cross and the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), have mobilized to provide the basic needs of water, food, shelter and medical care. The following story in The New York Times provides a broader list and introduction to these organizations:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/how-to-help-philippines-typhoon-victims/?ref=asia

For those here at UCSF, there are free, confidential resources that are available to help during this time. Students seeking counseling can call Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) at (415) 476-1281, option #2 or go to the SHCS at Parnassus or Mission Bay during business hours. After business hours, students can speak with a counselor by calling (415) 476-1281, option #7. For more information, go to the UCSF SHCS website.

Faculty and staff should contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at (415) 476-8279 and indicate that they are calling regarding Typhoon Haiyan.

The Bay Area is home to a large number of Filipinos who are directly affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their loved ones who may live in the Philippines.

Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor