Aid for Philippines
Nearly 300 people have died and countless numbers of people made homeless in the severe flooding this summer.
More than nine million homes have been affected by the flooding, caused by typhoon Ketsana (‘Ondoy’), which pummelled the capital, Manila, and its 25 surrounding provinces.
According to international press agency AP group, more than 16 inches of rain fell in just 12 hours, causing the worst flooding seen in decades. The government has declared a national state of emergency.
Relief efforts have been hampered further by a series of devastating natural disasters around the Pacific Rim: a tsunami in Samoa, earthquakes in Sumatra and other disasters further afield, such as in Vietnam.
Ground action
Christian groups such as ACTION already have people on the ground in Manila. Jeff Anderson, ACTION Philippines director, and his wife Mary-Ann, were there when the flooding struck. He writes:
‘I was inundated with texts and calls telling me about stranded children who had gone to school, homes being washed away, people scurrying to safer ground and a church requesting food because they had become an evacuation centre.
‘The weather has calmed down and God has heard our prayers for mercy. Some of the kids are accounted for and I am still waiting for word on others. Our relief team has been affected, so pray for wisdom as I am sure we will receive many requests for relief aid in the coming days.
‘We are waiting for confirmation on the ACTION missionaries and workers, to be sure all are safe and accounted for’.
Doug Nichols, founder and international director (emeritus) of ACTION, flew out in October with some money to help the relief effort and to report on the situation. He told ET that at least US$30,000 will be needed to help even 1,050 families. To find out more, visit http://www.actionuk.org%20
