Vatican City, 4 December 2006 – In the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Durian (Reming), which lashed large parts of the Philippines
last Thursday, Caritas volunteer teams from the 16 affected dioceses and archdioceses in Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions immediately swung into action, providing relief and solace to affected
populations. As part of their long-term social and development work with communities, Church schools and parish centres became an immediate refuge for thousands of families across the affected
regions. In the diocese of Legazpi, 3,700 families from eight towns in the area are being provided with shelter, food and solace by diocesan Caritas relief teams. Nine hundred sacks of
rice have already been dispatched to affected dioceses in the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions and some parts of Central Luzon. Caritas diocesan relief teams are currently assessing the
situation and establishing priority immediate response needs. Caritas Philippines has launched an appeal for US$ 1.3 million to the Caritas network, targeting a month-long relief operation for more
than 15,000 families. This appeal is intended only for relief efforts for the nine seriously affected dioceses of: Legazpi (3,000 families); Libmanan (1,500 families); Naga (2,000
families); Sorsogon (1,000 families); Masbate (1,000 families); Virac (3,000 families); Daet (1,000 families); Boac (2,000 families); and Gumaca (800 families). Local Caritas
will cover food needs, medicines, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, kitchen utensils and shelter materials for the affected families.Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162
Catholic relief, development, and social service organisations present in 200 countries and territories. For more information contact:Jane Kronner, Caritas Internationalis
Communications Department Tel: +39 06 698 797 43 Email: kronner@caritas.va
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
