Peace Education

Urgent Call for Support: The Marianas in Crisis After Super Typhoon Sinlaku

A Region in Crisis

The Mariana Islands are facing a severe humanitarian emergency following the impact of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, a Category 4 storm that struck the region last April 14. As communities begin the long and difficult recovery process, the full extent of the devastation is becoming clear.

The storm swept across the entire archipelago, with Saipan and Tinian experiencing the strongest impact, facing winds of up to 170 mph. Rota and Guam were also significantly affected, with winds reaching up to 80 mph. Moving slowly, the typhoon lingered for over 50 hours, bringing record rainfall and widespread flooding.

Impact on Communities

  • Homes destroyed and infrastructure severely damaged
  • Power lines down; thousands without electricity and running water
  • Over 800 people in emergency shelters in Guam
  • More than 500 displaced in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
  • Injuries reported, with some residents still trapped

This is a moment of deep loss and uncertainty for communities across the islands.

Support Community-Led Response

Local organizations, including Common Wealth 670 in Saipan and Prutehi Guåhan, have mobilized quickly to support affected families. They have created a directory for direct aid, allowing supporters to contribute directly to those impacted.

Give direct support to families here


Direct mutual aid is critical at this time to ensure resources reach communities quickly and equitably.

Why Your Support Matters

In the aftermath of disasters, recovery efforts can become centralized or controlled in ways that may not fully meet community needs. Supporting grassroots initiatives helps strengthen local resilience and ensures aid reaches those who need it most.

Additional Ways to Help

Call for Resources

If you are aware of funding opportunities, partnerships, or rapid response resources that could support local organizations, please get in touch.

Stand in Solidarity

With limited internet and cell service, communication remains challenging. While efforts are underway to deliver essential supplies, direct financial support remains one of the most effective ways to help.

Now more than ever, solidarity and mutual aid are essential—not only for recovery, but for building long-term resilience.

Terry Rockefeller – Council Member

Terry Rockefeller was elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025.

Terry Rockefeller is based in the USA and is the Co-chair of the Rule of Law Committee of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. The committee’s focus is on closing the detention facilities on the Guantanamo Naval Base and ending the extrajudicial military commissions that have failed to deliver justice and accountability for the crimes of 9/11. Peaceful Tomorrows is part of a coalition of organizations that advocate for human rights and security with the U.S. government and through UN structures.

She is on the Board of Directors of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security. SHe is the National Co-convenor of United for Peace and Justice, a network of national and local, peace, disarmament, social and economic justice organizations in the U.S. She is a 40+ year member of Amnesty International—USA, where she focuses on the work of the Security with Human Rights Co-group. (She served on the Board of Directors from 2013-19.

She is an award-winning documentary film producer. She had the honor of working on Eyes on the Prize, a history of the civil rights and black power movements, and the NOVA science series, among other productions for public television.

Mina Damnjanović – Council Member

Mina Damnjanović was elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025.

Mina Damnjanović is a long-standing peace activist from Serbia, now based in Berlin. She is affiliated with Women in Black in Serbia and an engaged member of WILPF International (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom).
She is the co-founder and program coordinator of the Initiative against sexual violence “I trust You” in Belgrade.

Miguel Álvarez Gandara – Council Member

Miguel Álvarez Gandara was elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025.

Miguel Álvarez Gandara is based in Mexico. In 1996 he co-founded SERAPAZ – the abbreviation SERAPAZ has got a double meaning: Services and Advices for Peace and also There will be peace. It is a Mexican civil society and non-for-profit organization, independent from the state, political parties, corporations and any other actors. In 2017 Miguel received the prestigious Premio Nacional de Derechos Humanos (National Human Rights Award).

Hevelyn Ghizzi – Council Member

Hevelyn Ghizzi was elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025.

Hevelyn Ghizzi is based in Brazil; she is an international analyst and a master’s student in International Relations.
She is the president of Dhesarme – Ação Brasileira pelo Desarmamento Humanitário (Brazilian Action for Humanitarian Disarmament), a non-profit, non-partisan civil society organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening Humanitarian Disarmament as a central pillar for the protection of human security.

She is also a Mine Action Fellow and a member of the Stop Killer Robots Network.