CARITAS Australia has requested urgent support from the Australian Catholic com-munity to deal with the large-scale emergency response needed in the Philippines following a devastating typhoon and floods.
Hundreds of people are feared dead, tens of thousands of families are displaced and many people are still missing after Typhoon Washi struck the eastern province of Agusan del Sur on December 16 and crossed northern Mindanao.
The storm caused severe flooding and continued to cause widespread devastation across northern Mindanao.
The floodwaters destroyed roads and infrastructure in numerous cities and towns, leaving many of them very difficult to access, making the immediate response challenging.
The city of Cagayan de Oro City has suffered a great loss of life.
In response Caritas Australia has opened its Philippines Floods Appeal.
“This is a very, very sad situation. We feel deeply for the families and individuals of the Philippines who have lost loved ones, friends and neighbours,” Caritas Australia chief executive officer Jack de Groot said.
“It is extremely important that the emergency response is well supported and effective to reduce the physical and emotional toll such a disaster can have on communities like those now impacted in the Philippines.
“Caritas Australia, the Caritas Internationalis network and its partners are already engaged in long-term programs in the region and more broadly in the Philippines, so we are very well placed to engage in an effective emergency response.
“We now need to stand in solidarity with our neighbours across the Mindanao.”
The provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Sur are also among the most affected.
For more information go to www.caritas.org.au/philippinesfloodsappeal or call 1800 024 413.
