CWS situation report: Philippines floods
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tropical Storm Ketsana has killed 140 persons in the northern part of the Philippines, and at least 32 people are reported missing, the Associated Press reported today. Tens of thousands remain displaced from their homes.

Children displaced by flash flooding eat porridge in a makeshift evacuation center in Silangan village in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, September 28, 2009. Photo: REUTERS/Erik de Castro, courtesy www.alertnet.org

Situation

Tropical Storm Ketsana has killed 140 persons in the northern part of the Philippines, and at least 32 people are reported missing, the Associated Press reported today. Tens of thousands remain displaced from their homes. 

The 24-hour downfall of rain, on September 26, amounting to more than a foot in a one-day period, resulted in devastating flash floods and landslides, mainly affecting the northern island of Luzon.

CWS Response

CWS will be responding through local partners in the Philippines. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines, an Action by Churches Together member and a long-time CWS partner, reports that member churches have opened their doors to survivors as evacuation and relief centers. Another ACT member, Christian Aid, reports that its local partner, Socio Pastoral Institute, is working with poor urban communities in the riverside areas of Quezon City. 

Christian Aid reports that the homes and possessions of 350 families, some 2,000 persons, were severely damaged by the flood while 85 houses were completely washed away. Almost all affected families lost all their possessions. Many residents have also lost their means of livelihood as factory workers, tricycle drivers and small vendors. Other Christian Aid partners are conducting assessments.

CWS will support an appeal being prepared by NCCP and Christian Aid. NCCP has already indicated that requested relief assistance will include food, drinking water, non-food relief items, basic medicines and personal hygiene needs. Christian Aid's partner SPI has indicated initial plans to address the needs of 350 urban poor families through distribution of relief goods. This would include food, water, clothes, candles, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and cooking items, such as pots and pans.

How to help

Contributions to support Church World Service emergency response and recovery efforts may be made online, by phone (800.297.1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.