Caritas in Relief Efforts After Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines

Nearly 1,000 dead, hundreds of bodies still buried in the mud, over 160 thousand displaced people who lack food and water: this is the toll that Fr. Edwin Gariguez gave a few days after the passage of Typhoon Bopha over the southern Philippines. "The situation is worse than estimated by the authorities - says the priest - In the areas most affected by the disaster there are still bodies under the mud. The number of homes and buildings razed to the ground by the fury of water and wind is enormous and it is as yet impossible to give a precise amount of the total damage." Fr. Edwin Gariguez is the head of Caritas International in the provinces of Davao, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro and Compostela Valley (Mindanao) hit on 4 December by the typhoon Bopha. To date, the official toll is 548 victims, 848 missing and 300 thousand displaced. However, yesterday the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has confirmed the discovery of 592 bodies in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

"Unfortunately, many areas are still isolated - explains Fr. Edwin - and have not yet been reached by rescue teams." The priest fears that the death toll could rival that of Typhoon Washi, which in 2011 killed more than 1,500 people in the provinces of Cagayan de Oro and Illigan (Mindanao).

To date, the most affected areas are Davao, Surigao, Butuan, Matri, Compostela Valley. In these areas, Caritas helps with the collaboration of parishes tens of thousands displaced. "As of today - says the clergyman - we are in contact with the local population to plan the management of aid. So far we have been able to raise 2.4 million US dollars to buy essential goods to be allocated to the people affected by the floods." However, the situation is much more tragic than expected. The area where the typhoon made landfall is inhabited mainly by farmers and miners with many children. Often the daily ration of rice and water is not sufficient to feed the whole family. This situation is likely to worsen over time. Many of the survivors complain because of the government delays in rescue and disorganization in the distribution of aid. In the innermost parts of the provinces many people have walked tens of kilometers to pick up a package that is not even enough to meet the needs of a day. 

Dozens of bodies still lie under the rubble and polluted waters. The fields are flooded or destroyed by winds that exceeded even the 200 kilometers per hour.This makes people completely dependent on humanitarian aid. 

To alleviate the suffering of the flood victims, in view of Christmas Fr. Edwin launches an appeal to all Catholics Filipinos and foreign countries: "Pray and support with a small donation these families who have lost everything in a few hours." 

At the request of Fr. Edwin Gariguez, here are the details for those who want to send their contributions to the flood victims: 

To support ongoing interventions in the two emergencies, you can send offers to Italian Caritas via C / C POSTAL N. 347013 specifying the reason: "Emergency Philippines".

Offers are also possible through other channels, including:

UniCredit, Taranto street 49, Rome - Iban: IT 88 U 02 008 05 206 000 011 063 119

Banca Prossima, Aurelia street 796, Rome - Iban: IT 06 A 03 359 01 600 100 000 012 474 

Intesa Sanpaolo, Aurelia street 396 / A, Rome - Iban: IT 95 M 03 069 05 098 100 000 005 384

Banca Popolare Etica, Paris street 17, Roma - Iban: IT 29 U 05018 03200 000000011113

To make an online donation from abroad go to: http://www.caritas.org/services/donate_now.html