The Philippines Typhoon - Christian Aid Appeal Launched
With international news organisation Reuters reporting more than 1,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the Washi Typhoon, which has devastated communities in the Philippines, Christian Aid's partner organisations are responding on the ground. The international charity is responding with a campaign to raise funds for immediate need and the prevention of such devastation in the future. Churches are invited to download their Appeal Poster .
(PICTURE: PHILIPPINES TYPHOON)
Current reports indicate that 51,000 people are in 46 evacuation centres and more than 360,000 people have been affected by flooding.
The typhoon swept across the Mindanao region, with strong winds and heavy rains causing massive flooding, flash floods and landslides.
The country awoke to the tragic site of washed-out houses, piled up vehicles and scores of bodies floating in rivers.
With latest reports suggesting the combined death toll has risen to 1,000, with 800 people missing, this could prove to be the worst disaster since tropical storm Ketsana in 2009.
In two of the worst affected cities, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, phone lines and electricity have been cut off, while severe water shortages are now hampering clean up operations.
Christian Aid partner MUCAARD is responding with emergency food and shelter, safe water and clearing up operations, while partner Unlad Kabayan is providing cash direct to families to help them meet their most immediate needs.
Our response
The typhoon hit while people were asleep. This coupled with that fact that the Mindanao region is not an area normally affected by typhoons, meant communities were not as adequately prepared for the scale of this disaster.
Part of Christian Aid’s long term work will include preparing these communities for future hazards.
Ramani Leathard, Christian Aid's South Asia Regional Manager, commented: 'Sadly we know that in times of disaster, the poorest families are generally the worst affected. They tend to live in the riskiest areas and their modest homes are the least able to withstand powerful winds and surging floodwaters.'
Christian Aid has already set aside £50,000 towards the immediate costs of responding to the disaster and is now launching the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Any donations to support the emergency and long term work in the Philippines would be warmly received.
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