Grace Balankig is painting a situation of desperation in the Philippines. The native of the Pacific nation went back to her home country from Woodstock last month, following a devastating typhoon that caused widespread flooding. Here at home, the Rotary Club of Woodstock-Oxford continues to raise funds for relief efforts. Balankig tells Heart FM what has been done with some of that money so far. "There's still a lot of people left at evacuation centres...they have a terrible, terrible situation right now. So the Rotary was able to raise some more money and built some portable toilets for the people and we bought mats and blankets as well." She says rainy conditions continue to plague the Philippines, and many people remain without shelter. She says the need for fundraising continues so they can purchase roofing materials such as nails, wood and metal sheets. Balankig also talked about the scramble for food. "There's a big number of them and you wish you could give to everybody, but only the strong ones can get the food or the help. Everybody would be fighting just to get the help." The Woodstock-Oxford Rotary Club continues to raise funds for relief efforts for the Philippines. Visit www.woodstockoxfordrotary.org. (Photos are courtesy of Gov. Toto Cupin.)

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