Anglican Communion News Service

Continuous heavy rains caused by the Southwest Monsoon and aggravated by Typhoons Saola and Haikui have left more than 2.4 million people affected.

The areas of Luzon and Visayas have been severely affected. According to the latest reports 67 people have died, 362,300 people have evacuated to 729 evacuation centres and an additional 284,200 people are staying with relatives and friends. You can read more information about the situation in The OCHA Humanitarian Report.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente reports that people were trapped in the deluge. The transport system was paralyzed, leaving thousands stranded in the streets, as major routes became impassable for vehicles. Families lost their homes and many were forced to find temporary shelter. 8 parishes are functioning as evacuation centres to refuge mainly women, children and infants. Relief goods were also distributed to families who decided to remain.

At the time of writing this appeal we have information that the Anglican Agencies US (USPG) and ER&D have given grants to the help the relief effort. We will continue updating this information regarding other Anglican Agencies involvement.

Bishop Joselito T. Cruz, General Secretary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente is asking for support to continue and reinforce their relief work. The Church has an established disaster response program under the IFI-TFER (Iglesia Filipina Independiente-Task Force on Emergency Relief). This program is implemented through Operation Sambayanihan which facilitates relief missions to families dislocated from their homes and deprived of their source of living in the course and aftermath of any calamity and catastrophic event. More details are below:

Targeted area: South Central Luzon
Targeted community: Urban poor and farmers (see the table)
Number of beneficiaries: 5.000 families
Time frame: 11 August to 31 August 2012
Who is responsible for implementing the response: The Office of the General Secretary

If you would like to contribute to this appeal, please send your donations to the following account of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Account Name:               Philippine Independent Church
Dollar Account No:         4984-0023-14
Swift Code:                      BOPIPHMM
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Padre Faura Branch, Manila

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente will provide updates about the evolution of the situation and how resources have been used to respond to this emergency. The Anglican Alliance will post the report back on this appeal.

This is a pilot for the relief guidelines and online forms which are being developed by the Anglican Alliance.

If you wish to make a comment on the guidelines or on this appeal, please contact: tania.nino@aco.org