Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is mobilizing in multiple
countries in Southeast Asia battered by a typhoon, a tsunami
and an earthquake over the last week. While the immediate
focus is on rescue efforts and emergency relief, CRS and
partner Caritas Internationalis (CI) are already planning for
the long-term reconstruction vital to recovery efforts.
• Typhoon Ketsana (known locally as Typhoon Ondoy) made
landfall in The Philippines Sept. 26. More than 80 percent of
the capital city Manila experienced flooding, and as the
waters recede, residents face monumental cleanup efforts. Luc
Picard, CRS’ country representative in The Philippines, said
“The mud is horrible. People’s houses were completely
submerged, and now they’ve basically lost everything. In some
towns, they’re using front end loaders to clean the mud off
the streets. Figuring out what to do with all that mud will
be a challenge.”
• After dropping torrential rains on The Philippines,
Typhoon Ketsana hit Vietnam Sept. 28. In the Quang Nam
province more than 150,000 homes are severely damaged. Road
washouts and mudslides have hindered emergency response
efforts. CRS is coordinating a response with the Vietnamese
government and local partners.
• An 8.3 magnitude earthquake Sept. 29 triggered a
tsunami that hit American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga. CRS,
working through Caritas Australia, will support the efforts
of Caritas Samoa and Caritas Tonga to provide relief for
those who lost their homes and livelihoods to 15-foot- high
waves.
• Finally, a Sept. 30, earthquake caused major injuries
and damage to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. CRS Indonesia
has extensive experience responding to emergencies and a team
is en route to begin assessing local needs.
CRS’ Emergency Response Team will utilize their decades of
experience coordinating disaster relief around the world to
provide assistance on multiple fronts. “We have mobilized,
and with our Caritas Catholic Church partners, we are
providing emergency assistance to the families affected by
these disasters,” said CRS President Ken Hackett. “These are
our brothers and sisters who are in dire need. Our prayers
are with them and we will do all we can to help.
“The emergency phase of these disasters will pass quickly,”
he said. “But the recovery phase will go on for many months.”
How to Help
Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Donate online: crs.org
Write a check: Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
