November 15, 2013
Philippines
A humanitarian team of Caritas Internationalis has moved to the Philippines to intervene in the most affected areas of the typhoon Hayian. The team has cooperated with local parishes and Caritas workers in Tacloban and Ormoc.
A team member, Eoghan Rice, said that the damage is astounding: “In some areas of the city of Tacloban, up to 90% of buildings were destroyed. Living conditions in which the local inhabitants were caught in are extremely difficult.
People find shelter in shops, schools and other public buildings in Tacloban City. Caritas team, led by Father Edwin Gariguez, the director of Caritas Philippines, has visited the local seminar, which had been transferred to an evacuation center. The local Caritas and parish volunteers have so far helped more than 500 survivors.
Mulvarosa Pibilra Perote (57 years old), a mother of five and grandmother of three ages 11, 10 and 4 years old, is one of such survivors. The whole family was at home when the storm struck. "We were all very scared," says Ms. Perote. "We thought we were going to die. The children were crying. We were holding onto anything that was around. Many people died in our neighborhood, including seven members of one family."
The official number of casualties in the city of Tacloban increased to 2,000 on Thursday, but this number only accounts for victims whose bodies were found and confirmed by the public authorities. "We saw rescue teams pull bodies from the rubble. There are still corpses wrapped in plastic bags lying in the streets "says Eoghan Rice.
A lot of people are still missing, including the relatives of Mr. Mulvarosa – his wife and their nine-month old baby, his nephew, and his mother in law. "Nobody knew that waves were coming. My nephew's family lived on the coast. I told him to leave but he did not listen. We are still looking for them," says Mulvarosa.
Thanks to local network, Caritas Philippines who was able to provide food and water and blankets to this area. Further help is on the way as 18 000 food packages will arrive in Ormoc and another 18 720 food packages will arrive in Tacloban. The Mulvarosa family received rice, noodles and canned food. "My house is practically destroyed. There is no roof, says Mulvarosa." I am very grateful for imported food and shelter.
Caritas Philippines has so far donated 150,000 EUR (about 3.75 mil. CZK) to eleven dioceses in order to provide food and water for the people. Caritas Manila has sent more than 20,000 bags of food and diverse material aid on trucks and ships to thirteen affected dioceses.
International aid is also of significance. Caritas Netherlands (Cordaid) has sent a plane with 5,000 special tarpaulins and 3,300 medical first aid kits to the Philippines. Another member of Caritas Internationalis, an American organization Catholic Relief Services, provided 32,000 tarpaulins, of which five thousand arrived to the city of Cebu. As the shipment of tarpaulins, drinking water and hygiene kits arrived at its desired destination, it will only take one week to distribute it to the families in affected areas.
Mons. Broderick Pabillo, Manila Auxiliary Bishop and President of Caritas Philippines (NASSA), is one of those who reviewed the situation in the Philippines – you can find more in the article called ‘’We are trying to help even in the remote areas’’.
The charity collection for Philippines continues. Any financial aid can be sent to the bank account no. 55660022/0800, variable symbol 133.
The Czech donors have donated the amount of 3,189,978 CZK to the collection account for the Philippines (as of November 15, 2pm).
We would like to thank all our donors wholeheartedly for their support.
