Super Typhoon Haiyan, which many experts are saying is the largest storm ever recorded, slammed into the Philippines, and as reports continue to come in it appears that damage and loss of life is extensive.
It’s believed that 10,000 people have died, and some remote places that were hit were still recovering from an earthquake last month. Emergency response in these areas will be challenging.
The RCA CARE Network is doing an initial assessment of the impact of the disaster and preparing a response through its partners, World Vision and Food for the Hungry. RCA CARE Network is sending an initial $3,000 to World Vision and an initial $3,000 to Food for the Hungry.
World Vision is planning to target 1.2 million people with food, non-food items, hygiene kits, emergency shelter, and child protection. The financial request from the World Vision National Office in the Philippines is $6 million. World Vision teams are continuing to assess the situation.
Thankfully, Vietnam and Southeast Asia have largely been spared significant damage from the typhoon. A World Vision director in Vietnam says, “Initial reports showed both our staff and local communities are safe. Our staff in Hai Phong said only some trees have fallen and rain has stopped in the city.”
What you can do:
- Please pray for the people whose lives have been torn apart by this typhoon–for people who have lost loved ones, suffered injury, or sustained damage to their homes or businesses. Pray too for the rescue workers, first responders, and early response coordinators.
- To support disaster response efforts, donate online or send a check to Reformed Church in America, Attn: Finance Department, 4500 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 or, in Canada, to Regional Synod of Canada, 201 Paradise Rd. N., Hamilton, ON L8S 3T3. Checks should be designated “Haiyan.”