Episcopal Relief & Development has been in contact with its local partner, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan. The storm made landfall in the central Philippines on the morning of November 8, causing widespread damage and disabling power and communications lines. Rescue and relief efforts are reportedly being hampered due to roads being clogged with debris. The Episcopal Church in the Philippines is working with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, an ecumenical group of which it is a member, to develop a coordinated response strategy. Episcopal Relief & Development plans to offer technical and financial assistance to aid these efforts. “Our prayers are with all who were impacted by this storm,” said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President for Programs. “We will continue to be in touch with our partners at the Episcopal Church in the Philippines to support them as they work with their colleague churches to determine how best to respond in this time of crisis.” The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines reported on the evening of November 10 that an estimated 9.5 million people across 41 provinces were affected by the storm, with 630,000 displaced and served both inside and outside the 1,645 active evacuation centers. The report also estimates the number of damaged houses at just under 20,000. High winds approaching tornado-like speeds caused significant damage as the storm swept across the country, producing storm surges up to 20 feet high in coastal areas and sending waves of water more than half a mile inland. The typhoon weakened as it crossed the South China Sea to make landfall in Vietnam on the morning of November 11, and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it entered southern China later in the day. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori offered the following prayer for the people of the Philippines: O God our help in time of trouble, we pray for the Filipino people who have suffered this grievous natural disaster. We pray that survivors may find water, food, and shelter, and news of their missing loved ones. There is trauma and destruction in many places, and little news from some of the areas hardest hit. Give peace and confidence, O Lord, to those in the midst of the whirlwind. Open hearts and hands around the world to respond sacrificially to the urgent need. Help us to remember that we are connected, one to another, the living to the dead, the comfortable to the suffering, the peaceful to the worried and anxious. Motivate us to change our hearts, for our misuse and pollution of the earth you have given us to share has something to do with this disaster. Show us your suffering Son in the midst of this Calvary, that we might love one another as he has loved us. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Earlier in the day, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby sent a message of prayer and solidarity. According to ACNS, “[t]he Archbishop said the Church is praying for those who are most vulnerable in this crisis – children separated from their parents, the sick and injured, the disabled and the elderly – and will ‘stand beside the people of the Philippines’.” Your donation to the Disaster Response Fund will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to offer immediate assistance where most needed in times of disaster. episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/donate-now/individual-donation Donated Facebook Post episcopalrelief.org This is the message donors post after a transaction
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:37:20 +0000
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