Charleston Responds... Will You?

Huffington Post

Listen up, Charleston: this is launching today. At the mayor's office this morning, Water Missions International—together with a number of local organizations (Charleston magazine included) kicked off the "Charleston Responds" campaign (#CHSresponds).

The goal?

» For Charleston residents to come together and raise $100,000 to help our own Water Missions International send four water systems to the Philippines to aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan—the largest storm to hit land in recorded history.

Nearly 4,000 are confirmed dead, another 1,600 missing and—get this—in the neighborhood of four million forced from their homes. 

Huffington Post

It's been nearly two weeks since disaster hit, and ever since, the slow relief and lack of supplies and help has made it difficult for survivors of the storm to, well, survive. 

courtesy of Water Missions International

courtesy of Water Missions International

This morning, the mayor recalled our own city's devastation nearly 25 years ago, when Hurricane Hugo hit. "Mayor Riley compared Hugo to a wound on the region, one that took a long time to heal," says Charleston magazine editor-in-chief Darcy Shankland, who attended this morning's campaign launch. "He also talked about the response from people across the country—people who offered assistance in our time of need—and how impactful and meaningful that was for healing the city."

It was painful indeed, but now we have the advantage of that perspective, not to mention having an organization like Water Missions International (WMI) based right here in our neighborhood.

They are already on the ground in the Philippines.

courtesy of Water Missions International

They need our support. Without water, people will perish.

courtesy of Water Missions International

WMI has served over 2.4 million people in 49 countries on five continents since 2001 and has responded to some of the largest natural disasters around the world, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2008 Sichuan China earthquake, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

courtesy of Water Missions International

Can you help? 

To be part of this movement, visit www.watermissions.org/CHSresponds to give today to provide needed relief for victims in the Philippines. And help spread the word! If you're on social media, use the hashtag #CHSresponds.