Bermuda has so far donated close to $500,000 to the Philippines recovery effort in the wake of last year’s devastating Typhoon Haiyan.

This includes $65,000 raised by ANCOP, or Answering the Cry of the Poor, and $60,000 from the Association of Filipinos in Bermuda.

The Bermuda Red Cross has collected a total of $370,000 from across the community, according to director Ann Spencer Arscott.

The colossal storm struck on November 8, killing more than 6,200 people.

Some 1.4 million homes damaged or destroyed, making shelter a top priority.

“Shelter teams are now providing the most vulnerable typhoon affected families with more long term support, including tools, cash and support to rebuild their houses and make them safer against future storms,” Ms Spencer Arscott told The Royal Gazette.

“Shelter project teams, which include local carpenters and masons, are working directly with people who have lost their homes supporting them in typhoon-resilient construction techniques.”

She said more than 90,000 households have received materials and tools to help with self recovery.

“The shelter project teams will work closely with the water and sanitation programme to make sure all houses supported have access to water and sanitation, and will coordinate with the livelihoods team to promote activities related to the shelter projects.”

The Bermuda Red Cross will close its appeal at the end of this month.

ANCOP, assisted by Couples for Christ, is still taking donations to help with ongoing relief efforts. Its contribution includes $2,000 raised by Mount Saint Agnes, and $4,000 from Tokio Millennium Re.

The group gave $7,000 to Bermuda residents whose families were affected by Haiyan; $58,0000 went to recovery efforts in the Visayan region, which was pummelled by the storm for a full day.

ANCOP head Evelou Mosley said the Island’s response “marked a strong sense community spirit, providing a comforting response to the Philippine nation half way around the world”.

“It was a true inspiration and a testament of the resilience of the human race in the face of global catastrophes.”

Donations are still being taken by the Bermuda Red Cross at Butterfield account 20 006 060 663859 200.