Caritas ready as Typhoon Hagupit hits Philippines

Legazpi, a city in the south of Luzon island as Hagiput hits the Philippines. Credit: Diocese of Legazpi

Legazpi, a city in the south of Luzon island as Hagupit hits the Philippines. Credit: Diocese of Legazpi

A large storm has hit the Philippines, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate.

Caritas Philippines-NASSA says local staff in areas in the storm’s path have been stockpiling food and emergency supplies as aid to people in need.

Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Ruby, could affect the same areas where Typhon Haiyan killed thousands late last year.

“While communities are in general prepared for it, the typhoon opens anew the fear and trauma associated with the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) that hit us last year,” said Josephine Ignacio, Head of the Humanitarian Unit for Caritas Philippines.

“Join us as we pray for the families affected by this another calamity,” she said. Pray for the Philippines

Among the preparations made by Caritas are the prepositioning of relief goods and emergency kits, and the deployment of volunteers to give advanced information to affected residents.

Camp management committees have also been set up in the different provinces to continuously monitor and assess the situation in their respective areas.

Aside from this, community organisers and other local Church staff also assisted in the information dissemination and the evacuation of families to safer grounds.

“Considering the vast area to be affected, local funds may not suffice. We are, therefore, expecting bigger needs in the coming days,” said Josephine Ignacio.

Volunteers in capiz prepare food as Typhoon Hagiput hits the Philippines. Credit: Caritas Philippines

Preparing aid in Capiz, Caritas ready as Typhoon Hagupit hits Philippines. Credit: Caritas Philippines

Caritas Typhoon Haiyan response

In one of its largest relief operations in years, Caritas Internationalis helped over 800,000 people who lost homes, loved ones and livelihoods during Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Caritas staff members across regions, working in 35 different parishes, helped communities recover. They were supported by 43 Caritas national organisations around the world, who raised Euro 135 million from supporters.

  • 3,753 Permanent, disaster resilient shelters
  • 35,550 Clean water facilities
  • 10,125 Homes with food security and livelihoods

Media contact: Jing Henderson, Caritas Philippines: 0063 (0)908.557.4126 / (0)905.546.9977

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