Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda: How to find loved ones, donate and volunteer (FAQ, video)

At least 1,000 people are dead in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan hit the region last week. The death toll, one of the worst on record, could climb to 10,000. 

The global Red Cross network is responding to emergency needs with food, water and relief supplies while the American Red Cross is lending people, expertise and equipment. Nonetheless, communications are still down, and our local Filipino community is desperate for news about survivors. 

Joel Jacinto, executive director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), a non-profit community outreach group in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown, says about 1.5 million Filipino Americans live in California, at least third of them in the Southland.

“People are concerned about their families, they are concerned about their loved ones. They haven’t talked to them," he said. 

Below are tools that help Southern Californians locate loved ones, as well as resources to donate to the disaster relief efforts. 

HOW DO I FIND LOVED ONES? 

• If you have information on the whereabouts of a specific person, or if you're looking for a loved one, Google has launched a people finder. Click here for more. 
• The Red Cross is also directing folks to its Restoring Family Links program. Read about it here and call (626) 407-4536 or email IntlTracing@arcla.org to begin your search. 
• Folks from around the world have been using this Facebook group called TACLOBAN (and nearby WARAY towns) YOLANDA UPDATE to share information and locate loved ones. 

ARE THERE NUMBERS TO CALL? 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has set up communication facilities in Tacloban City, which can be found at the Tacloban City police station, according to Rappler.com. Below are telephone numbers (area code is 053) to call:

CD,TCPO: (053) 325-4442
OPERATION BRANCH: (053) 325-8808/520-188/321-2021
INTEL BRANCH: (053) 325-4477
CPSC GATER: (053) 520-8666/321-5133
POLICE STATION 1: (053) 323-3449/523-2510
V & G PCP: (053) 327-4413
SAGKAHAN PCP: (053) 325 1847
SAN JOSE PCP: (053) 323-9211
POLICE STATION 2: (053) 321-6968/325-3913

The Tacloban City Hall also has the following numbers: 09173104288 or 09333672737. 

HOW CAN I DONATE MONEY TO RELIEF EFFORTS?

• Philippine Red Cross provides disaster management, safety and volunteer services when typhoons hit the region; its staff and volunteers have disseminated early warning messages and safety tips while supporting pre-emptive evacuations during the current conditions. Donate to the Philippine Red Cross here. 
• Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) provides disaster assessment and spearheads recovery efforts in the Philippines. To donate directly to their account: 
  • Account Name : NDRRMC Donated Funds 
    Account Numbers: 0435-021927-030 (Peso Account); 
    0435-021927-530 (US Dollar Account); 
    Swift Code : DBPHPHMM Account #36002016 
    Address: Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Camp Aguinaldo Branch, 
    PVAO Compound, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines 1110 
    Contact Person: Ms. Rufina A. Pascual 
    Contact Number: (632) 421-1920;911-5061 to 65 local 116
• Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) coordinates care and coverage for Philippine's poor. To donate directly to their account:  
  • Account No.: 3124-0055-81 
    Bank Branch Address: Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan, Quezon City, 
    Philippines 
    Contact Person: Ms. Fe Catalina Ea 
    Contact No.: (632)931-8101 local 226; CP(632)918-628-1897 
• AmeriCares responds to natural disasters around the world like the Colorado flooding and storms in Mexico. Donate to AmeriCares here. 
• World Vision responds to relief efforts around the world with a focus on helping children. Donate to World Vision here.
• The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year; the organization also provides relief efforts abroad. Donate to the Red Cross here. 

RELATED: Thousands feared dead after deadly typhoon slams Philippines

CAN SOCIAL MEDIA HELP? 

We've created this Twitter list of agencies, journalists and non-profits either tweeting from or providing aid to the region. 

Tweets from @KPCC/typhoon-haiyan

The following hashtags have also been created: 

• #ReliefPH — resource coordination
• #RescuePH  — urgent rescue needed
• #SafeNow — if rescued
• #TracingPH — report missing people
• #YolandaPH — general news and updates
• #HaiyanPH — general news and updates

HOW CAN I DONATE MY TIME TO RELIEF EFFORTS? 

• Host a fundraising event: The global organization Oxfam offers free materials to help you host an event in your community. Start organizing here. 

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS? 

Google has created this crowdsourced crisis map, which curates evacuation centers, crisis areas, and relief drop zone spots. The Weather Channel has provided a series of videos that give a look into the scope of the typhoon. And we've got a map and collection of photos, as well as resources and personal stories at KPCC.org/typhoon. 

The video below shows a barge with a crew of 15 being rescued off a dock in Bohol as typhoon Haiyan slams into the Philippines. 

RELATED: Strongest cyclone ever? Typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines

Do you know of a fundraiser or local organization aiding relief efforts in the Philippines? Share with us in comments or on our Facebook page or email klepore@scpr.org.

This story has been updated.