ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Typhoon Gaemi hits Southeast Asia: the Church of Manila rushes to help the displaced

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - Typhoon Gaemi continues to hit Southeast Asia. The storm is heading towards Taiwan, leaving behind death and destruction in the Philippines. In this country, the fury of nature has hit especially the north of the country and the capital, Manila. The city is covered in mud, the streets are flooded and impassable. The death toll is currently 13 people.

According to official data, Gaemi has caused 300 millimeters of rain to fall throughout the region. In the city, during the monsoon - which has already lasted fifteen days - the water reached very high levels, reaching the first floors of the houses. Many citizens have climbed onto the roofs to escape the water. Local authorities have declared a “state of emergency due to natural disaster” to facilitate the evacuation of thousands of people, but the number of displaced people is staggering: 600,000.

The city is in a state of collapse: schools closed, infrastructure out of service. International flights are also cancelled. Areas around the capital are also on their knees, where rains have caused several landslides, one of which has killed a pregnant woman and three children. Local authorities report that several landslides have occurred, blocking three main roads in the mountainous province of Benguet.

The humanitarian disaster is compounded by an environmental one: in Manila Bay, work is being done tirelessly to try to contain the damage caused by the sinking of an oil tanker that capsized and sank. The ship was carrying 1.4 million litres of fuel.
At the moment, of the 17 members on board, one is missing. Rescue operations are hampered by strong winds, which are causing heavy waves. Bad weather is also slowing down environmental containment operations: the liquid contained in the tanker has leaked, turning the sea black.

Faced with this grim situation, the local Church is not sitting back, but is rolling up its sleeves and reaching out to the community to help it get back on its feet. In fact, the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal José F. Advíncula, in a letter sent to all the realities of the archdiocese, announces the start of a new collection to help the victims of the typhoon.

In the letter, the Cardinal encourages the faithful to participate in the religious services on July 27 and 28, during which the collected offerings will be donated to support those who have lost everything due to the violence of nature.

The Cardinal, addressing priests, men and women religious, asks them to "continue to be compassionate towards the victims of the typhoon, the poor, the hungry and all people in need."

The letter states that "donations must be sent to the accounting office of the Archdiocese of Manila no later than August 7, 2024." At the end of the letter, Cardinal Advíncula concludes with a brief prayer to be said during these days in support of the displaced and in suffrage for the victims. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 26/7/2024)

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displaced persons

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local churches

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humanitarian aid

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