Caritas Australia says support is reaching typhoon-ravaged communities across the Philippines but more help is needed as the number of people affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan continues to rise.
Just a month since the typhoon tore through more than 10,000 Filipino villages, Caritas Australia has distributed over 68,000 food kits, 8,000 sanitation and hygiene kits, and has provided shelter and clean water for almost 40,000 people living in the country’s worst hit regions.
But as 14.9 million people grapple with the aftermath of last month’s disaster, Caritas Australia says it befalls all of us to ensure that the relief effort continues long after the headlines.
“The number of people affected by this disaster amounts to more than half of the Australian population, and the devastation has displaced almost as many people as live in Sydney,” Caritas’ Melville Fernandez said.
“It’s almost impossible to imagine destruction on this scale but Australia’s compassion knows no bounds.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by prayers and support from the Australian community and we’re humbled to have raised $3.8 million in the first month of our appeal.
“On Friday, I visited families in some of the worst hit areas in Leyte Province.
“Many have already benefited from shelter and sanitation kits provided by the Caritas network, it was inspiring to see the courage of so many as they begin to slowly recover from the devastation.”