The devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda in the worst-hit areas of Leyte and Samar provinces have traumatized people. Hunger and confusion is a deadly mix.

We know the Philippine National Police is doing its best to protect the peace. While we trust the commitment of our men in uniform, we also know how important information is to the emotional well-being of our brothers and sisters in the affected areas. The PNP has only one hotline in Tacloban.

We thank Globe and Smart for offering free text service to victims of Typhoon Yolanda. We would like to ask them to pour resources to expand the PNP’s peace and order hotline and use their networks to allow the government to FEED ACCURATE INFORMATION AND CORRECT FALSE REPORTS.

Aside from equipment, maybe both Globe and Smart can send people to help the PNP man the hotlines. Likewise to allow the Department of Social Welfare and Development to disseminate information on the delivery and mechanisms of relief services.

This would be a giant step towards healing the trauma from Typhoon Yolanda.

Photo Credit: Reuters/Romeo Ranoco http://www.dw.de/chaos-and-violence-threaten-aid-operations/a-17221380