Jessica Torrion is working to bring a little light back to the Philippines.

In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, Torrion, a research assistant professor in biological systems engineering and a Philippines native, has allied with two organizations helping with recovery efforts in the Pacific nation. Those organizations are the Solar Power Initiative Project (SPIN), which is helping bring solar-powered lights to the region; and Exempli Gratia, a group of young professionals providing funds to accelerate typhoon recovery projects.

“About 80 percent of my relatives still live in the area where the typhoon struck. Luckily, everyone in my family is doing OK,” Torrion said. “I have reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving, but I can’t really celebrate because of what happened to so many others in the Philippines.”

Communication between Torrion and her family has been limited to a few brief phone calls and occasional Facebook posts. While relief efforts are slowly spreading, Torrion said the situation is still rough. The central Philippines currently lack electricity and cellular phone coverage. Families are living in tents, and the prices for necessities like food, water and gasoline/kerosene have increased due to limited supply with great demand.

“Typhoons are part of growing up in the Philippines,” Torrion said. “Growing up, when there was a typhoon, the next day everyone would be out gathering bananas and coconuts. Everyone came together to make the cleanup a community effort. We found it fun.

“But, this storm was so much stronger than any other.”

Haiyan, with winds measured at 195 miles per hour and gusts up to 235 MPH, is believed to have been the strongest tropical cyclone to ever make landfall in recorded history. The death toll stands at 5,200, with more than 1,600 still missing.

Among the dead are the four children of one of Torrion’s friends.

“I just feel that I have to do something to give support,” Torrion said. “I don’t want anyone in the Philippines to feel as if they have been abandoned.”

Torrion and friends here in the United States banded together immediately to help offer support to individual family members who needed assistance. On campus, a coin collection drive in the UNL Dairy Store raised nearly $100.

To help make a broader impact, Torrion has allied with SPIN and Exempli Gratia.

The Solar Power Initiative Project accepts donations to fund the installation of solar powered lights in areas where electricity is unavailable or unreliable. Torrion said each of the solar light units costs about $130.

“Even when an ordinary typhoon strikes the electricity is out for at least two weeks,” Torrion said. “You have no idea how important it is to have just a little bit of light when it’s so dark. It helps provide hope.”

For more information on the SPIN Project, or to give a donation, go to http://www.spinproject.webs.com.

Torrion said Exempli Gratia has already started to make an impact, going door to door in the damaged areas, helping where it is needed.

For more information on Exempli Gratia, founded by Ronald Bong Rodriguez, go to https://www.facebook.com/EGF.HELP.

Torrion hopes UNL faculty, staff and students can help with a relief effort in the Philippines.

“Just giving $5 or $10 can really make a difference,” Torrion said. “If enough of us come together, we can really help the people in the Philippines stand on their own feet.”

For more information, contact Torrion at jtorrion2@unl.edu.