VOAD will track all donations

An umbrella organization of volunteer groups will track and monitor all donations—whether cash or in-kind—that are streaming into the Commonwealth as relief and recovery operations continue in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor.

The group, called the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, has started work and had its first meeting on Monday.

“For the long-term recovery planning, members of the VOAD are formalizing to ensure the flow of donations are accounted for and to ensure that they reach the intended recipients. We will continue to monitor and provide reports to donors,” Gov. Eloy S. Inos said.

Press secretary Ivan Blanco said the government “is working with members of the local and national VOAD, including local and federal government partners.”

Blanco said the VOAD is modeled after similar organizations in the United States.

In the CNMI, the VOAD will include local and national non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross NMI Chapter, Empty Vessel Ministry, Karidat Foundation, Ayuda, United4Saipan, Salvation Army, and religious groups.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the CNMI government are also members of the VOAD.

According to Blanco, the first meeting on Monday formalized the group’s creation and identified areas of unmet needs to address for the short-term and long-term recovery efforts.

Once formally established, the VOAD will be able to channel all cash and in-kind donations to a single receiving point and establish measures on various distribution points, he said.

This will ensure proper channeling of donated goods to recipients and the purchase of goods and services that may not be part of local and off-island donations such as to pay for hospice care, mental health counseling, and other administrative costs.

For cash donations, a bank account in the name of the VOAD will be set up, according to Blanco.

Donations still welcome

The CNMI government said that donations are still welcome as Saipan continues its post-typhoon recovery efforts.

“We continue to appeal to donors on and off-island that many in our community still face hardships. We welcome any charitable donation to any foundation of your choosing,” said Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres.

On Wednesday, Saipan Tribune reported that TSL Complex’s REM Center has been made available by Tan Holding Corp. as the warehouse to be used by the VOAD for various donations that will be coming in from off island.

Tan Holdings will let the VOAD use the REM Center for a month for free.

Organizations have started providing technical assistance and support for nonprofit donation management as well as working on volunteers to manage the site.