ASIA/PHILIPPINES - "Yolanda" survivors now helping "Hagupit" victims

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Palo (Agenzia Fides) - Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda are now helping those affected by Typhoon Hagupit (also called Ruby): So says a statement from Caritas of the Philippines sent to Agenzia Fides. From the Archdiocese of Palo, the most affected by Yolanda, rescue teams of volunteers are giving relief assistance to the newly displaced people in the city of Catbalogan, Samar Island.
The new tropical storm that hit the island has so far caused 27 deaths, destroyed or damaged about 50 thousand homes, and over 1.6 million people have been displaced.
As reported to Fides, the group of Catholic volunteers is led by Don Alcris Badana and travelled more than four hours to reach the parish of St. Bartholomew in Catbalogan and deliver humanitarian aid to more than a thousand families affected by Ruby.
Don Badana remarked: "All 85 Philippine dioceses are helping Ruby victims. There was an immediate response from the area affected last year: this is also our way to repay the kindness of those who committed themselves wholeheartedly to assist Yolanda refugees".
The team led by Don Badana is engaged in rehabilitation in Leyte province. The provision of tents, food, sanitation are among the interventions carried out, but also training sessions for the prevention and recovery of the ecosystem.
The Social Action Center of the Diocese of Calbayog, in Samar, led by Don Cezar Aculan, the beneficiary of new interventions, expressed deep gratitude to the Archdiocese of Palo. So far, the Catholic Church, through Caritas Philippines, has already sent about three million pesos to the local Church, while other funds are made by Caritas Internationalis.
The Church in the Philippines is using funds raised through the "Alay Kapwa" specific program, launched during the Lent period, aimed at helping the victims of calamities and natural disasters. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2014)


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