Photo: Reuters/Erik De Castro, Courtesy of Turst

Photo: Reuters/Erik De Castro, Courtesy of Turst.org

On Friday 8th November a massive storm struck the Philippines leaving an estimated 10,000 people dead and over 9 million affected.

Photo: Caritas Internationalis

This aerial shot shows the extent of the devastation in central Philippines.

Photo: Caritas Internationalis

Local residents attempt to salvage anything of worth from their destroyed homes.

Photo: Reuters/Erik De Castro, Courtesy of Trust.org

Two girls look for belongings among the wreckage.

Survivors take refuge inside a local church as thousands of homes are destroyed.

SCIAF has launched an emergency appeal to help the survivors of Friday’s catastrophic typhoon in the Philippines which has left an estimated 10,000 people dead and 9.5million people affected.

SCIAF’s partners on the ground, Caritas Philippines and Catholic Relief Services, have reached many of the worst affected areas. Clean water, food, shelter, hygiene kits and medicine are among the immediate priorities.

Lorraine Currie, Head of International Programmes said “There is an urgent need for clean water, food, temporary shelters, hygiene kits and medicines. I would urge everyone to give whatever they can to support the people in the Philippines as they try to survive over the coming days and recover in the longer term.”

Dear Lord,

We pray for the people of the Philippines whose lives have been devastated by this typhoon. We ask you to comfort the survivors and strengthen those who have lost loved ones.

Please bless the efforts of SCIAF and other agencies who are helping those in need. Give courage and hope to those who have been affected to help them cope with the challenges they face.

Amen.