Disaster in the Philippines (Compassion Support)

From: http://www.compassion.com.au/article_view.asp?inttype=2&intid=5675

Compassion has begun large-scale relief efforts in the Philippines after the devastation caused by Typhoon Ketsana in late September and Typhoon Parma, which hit just a week later on 3 October. Flooding and landslides are still continuing and the total death toll has risen to an estimated 600, with fears it will grow as the water subsides. Over six million people have been affected and more than 300,000 are still taking shelter in evacuation camps.

Forty Compassion child development centres have been affected in the Philippines, including all of Compassion’s 14 church partners in Northern Luzon, which bore the brunt of Typhoon Parma. The La Trinidad Student Centre in the mountains near Baguio City has been the hardest hit, with a landslide last Thursday night burying most of the village where the Compassion child development centre is located. At least 50 people were killed, including three Compassion assisted children and their families.

The road leading to the Marikina Foursquare Student Center.
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The churches and child development centres of the other projects in the Northern Luzon region, as well as the homes of many staff and assisted children, have been flooded. The continuing rain has also cut food supplies and work opportunities in the region.

Sally Castro, the project director of the San Nicolas Student Centre in Laoag City, says, “The parents can't find work because of the prolonged rains. Most of their sources of livelihood like grain and vegetable farming have been destroyed.”

In addition, parts of the capital Manila are still flooded in the wake of Typhoon Ketsana, including two Compassion child development centres. At one centre alone, the homes of all 331 children were completely flooded. We thank God that no Compassion assisted children were killed in Manila, although three children lost parents and siblings, including eight-year-old Rose Anne, whose father was swept away while trying to get to his family. His body was found two villages away.

Miguel Flores was separated from his parents for 24 hours after the typhoon hit.
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The clean-up has begun, but recovering from the trauma will take time. When the typhoon struck, Compassion assisted child Miguel Flores and his brother were separated from their parents. They were rescued by a neighbour and were reunited with them the following day at the Compassion partner church, Marikina Foursquare Gospel Church. Their father says, “I pounded my heart in anguish, crying. I was thinking of my boys all the time. I didn’t know what to do. I tried to look for them several times. I swam back and forth thought the flood calling out for my sons. We have lost everything but I won’t complain because I still have what truly matters—my family.”

Survivors of the typhoon. DONATE NOW

Compassion’s response to the disaster has been immediate. Child development centres are continuing to distribute emergency relief of food, blankets, clothing and personal items. Compassion Philippines staff have also mobilised a donation brigade asking staff and friends to give household goods and food to be distributed to partner churches. As the water recedes, we have to begin the mammoth task of rebuilding and repairing impacted homes and centres.

This action is possible because of the generous and rapid response of our supporters, who gave almost $60,000 within a week of the typhoons striking. Thank you so much to all supporters who have already opened their hearts and their wallets to the people of the Philippines. We have committed to raising $150,000 to join Compassion International's overall efforts to help the more than 2000 Compassion assisted children and their families affected. Please click https://www.compassion.com.au/donation.asp?intid=25 or phone 1800 22 44 53 to give today.

Please continue to pray for the children, families and staff in the Philippines who have been affected by this tragedy. Pray also for the recovery efforts and that God’s name would be glorified through it all.