Dear Diocesan Family,
Our prayers are
with the people of the Philippines who have been devastated by typhoon
Haiyan. I am pleased to report that Episcopal Relief & Development
is already working closely with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines
as they determine the best way to provide assistance and relief.
The storm made landfall in the central Philippines on the morning of November 8, causing widespread damage and disabling power and communications lines. Reports estimate that 9.5 million people across 41 provinces were affected by the storm, with 630,000 displaced and served both inside and outside the 1,645 active evacuation centers. The report also estimates the number of damaged houses at just under 20,000. Rescue and relief efforts are reportedly being hampered due to roads being clogged with debris.
The storm made landfall in the central Philippines on the morning of November 8, causing widespread damage and disabling power and communications lines. Reports estimate that 9.5 million people across 41 provinces were affected by the storm, with 630,000 displaced and served both inside and outside the 1,645 active evacuation centers. The report also estimates the number of damaged houses at just under 20,000. Rescue and relief efforts are reportedly being hampered due to roads being clogged with debris.
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines is working with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines,
an ecumenical group of which it is a member, to develop a coordinated
response strategy. Episcopal Relief & Development will provide
technical and financial assistance to aid these efforts.
You can respond to the
needs of those impacted by this disaster with your gift to Episcopal
Relief & Development's Disaster Response Fund. Click here for more information.
Faithfully,
Bishop Hollerith
O God our help in
time of trouble, we pray for the Filipino people who have suffered
this grievous natural disaster. We pray that survivors may find water,
food, and shelter, and news of their missing loved ones. There is
trauma and destruction in many places, and little news from some of
the areas hardest hit. Give peace and confidence, O Lord, to those in
the midst of the whirlwind. Open hearts and hands around the world to
respond sacrificially to the urgent need. Help us to remember that we
are connected, one to another, the living to the dead, the comfortable
to the suffering, the peaceful to the worried and anxious. Motivate
us to change our hearts, for our misuse and pollution of the earth you
have given us to share has something to do with this disaster. Show
us your suffering Son in the midst of this Calvary, that we might love
one another as he has loved us. In your holy name we pray. Amen. -- Prayer offered by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
