Emergency Response

December 19, 2011

The southern and central regions of the Philippines have been hit by one of the worst tropical storms in years. According to United Church partner the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), more than 650 people were killed and more than 911 are missing, many of them women and children. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that 146,550 people were affected, a figure that is likely to rise as national authorities gather and consolidate additional information. An estimated 35 percent of evacuees are children, said Trevor Clark, head of UNICEF in the southern Mindanao region.

According to ACT Alliance, Tropical Storm Washi came swiftly like a thief in the night and tore down houses, swept away sleeping residents, and drowned hundreds. Severely hit are the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in northwest Mindanao and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental. Also affected is the province of Zamboanga del Norte and Compostela Valley in the southeast.

ACT member organizations in the Philippines are currently assessing the damage. UCCP staff and volunteers are working feverishly to provide relief assistance and accompaniment to victims of the flood damaged areas. Several of its churches are under water. Relief operations have been hampered by floodwaters, washed out bridges, impassable roads, and fallen trees and electricity lines.

The United Church immediately released $50,000 from its Emergency Response Fund in support of the UCCP's relief efforts. Additional funds may be released to other United Church partners in the Philippines once contact has been established with them. Also under consideration is a United Church-initiated food aid response through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Learn what United Church partner ACT Alliance is doing in the Philippines

What You Can Do

Pray: Please pray for the people of the southern Philippines who have been affected by the floods. United Church partners in countries affected by such disasters tell us they always appreciate our prayers.
Donate: Donations in support of individuals and families in the affected region are welcome and will be distributed either through ACT Alliance or directly to United Church partners in the Philippines.

• Online via our secure donation page.
• Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 3012 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
• Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
  
  The United Church of Canada
  Philanthropy Unit—Emergency Response
  3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
  Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
  
  Please be sure to note "Emergency Response—Philippines floods" on the face of your cheque.

For more information contact:

• Bern Jagunos
  Program Coordinator, Asia/Pacific Area Relations
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4077
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4077
  E-mail: Bern Jagunos
• Gary Kenny
  Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4051
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051
  E-mail: Gary Kenny