The Philippine Jesuits are joining forces with massive relief efforts to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda), the most powerful typhoon ever recorded in the Philippines. The scale of desperation and devastation is immense.
A team from the Jesuit social arm, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (Church in service of the Nation – SLB) sails today on a navy boat for the devastated areas of Leyte and Samar together with a Caritas Manila team and many supplies.
Yolanda left untold number of deaths in its wake and laid waste to entire cities and towns. Over 10,000 people have lost their lives. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 2,900,000 families have been affected, some 24,000 houses damaged and major infrastructures devastated. Low lying cities and poor neighbourhoods were the most at risk.
Philippine Jesuit Provincial, Fr Antonio Moreno, said, “The country still reels from the Zamboanga City siege and the earthquake that struck Bohol and Cebu a few weeks ago. Evacuees in those afflicted regions are still homeless, and yet now new cries arise from people suffering in other calamity-stricken areas.” In view of this and seeing the long term consequences, Fr Moreno has already asked the Jesuits to simplify any Christmas or other celebrations over the coming months in solidarity with victims and to give attention to the needed long term recovery.
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) through its Director, Fr. Xavier C. Alpasa, S.J., is coordinating all our efforts to assist victims of Yolanda.
- Funds can be transferred through its bank (BPI [Loyola-Katipunan Branch], Peso Checking Account # 3081-111-61, Dollar Account # 3084-0420-12, Swift Code: BOPIPMM, Routing #: 021-000-21).
- In the Philippines, cheques can be made out to Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City.
- The Philippine Jesuit Foundation (PJF) in New York also accepts donations. Please ask your contacts and friends to indicate in the memo “Yolanda Calamity Fund” to avail of the free service fee. PJF Donors can also earn tax credit for every donation made.
- Bank transfers in the U.S. can be made through our Merrill Lynch bank (Account # 176-04A01). Checks in the U. S. can be addressed to The Philippine Jesuit Foundation, 39 East 83rd Street, New York, NY 10028, through Fr. Victor R. Salanga, S.J.
- In Australia, donations for the Philippines are being received at Jesuit Mission Australia. Go to http://www.jesuitmission.org.au/site/5/donations. Donations can be made online or by telephone, fax or post by credit card. Call +6129955 8585.
- Donations made through JCAP will be passed to where they can be most effective.
Mark Raper SJ
President JCAP
12 November 2013