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Release date
September 28, 2009
Contact
Laura Sheahen
Regional Information Officer, Asia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
855.12.931.189

Philippines Flooding: CRS aids Typhoon Survivors, Provides $250,000 in Immediate Assistance to Evacuees

September 28, 2009, Manila, Philippines —

Catholic Relief Services has pledged $250,000 to help victims of Typhoon Ketsana who fled their homes following massive flooding caused by the storm as it swept across the Philippines main island of Luzon.

With our partner Caritas Philippines, CRS is providing thousands of families with immediate food aid—rice, canned goods, noodles, and vegetable oil—in the aftermath of the storm that left the capital city of Manila under water. We will also provide people affected by the flooding with blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, soap and more.

Since smashing into the island on Saturday as a tropical storm, Ketsana, which is known locally as Typhoon Ondoy, has killed dozens and left thousands homeless. "Many of the people who have lost everything are sleeping in schools right now," says CRS Country Representative Luc Picard. "They're calling this the Katrina of the Philippines."

Twenty-three provinces have declared a "state of calamity."

"Lowlands were especially hard-hit," continues Picard, "so we're focusing on coastal areas." Picard says heavy rains have destroyed houses and infrastructure, and the search for missing people is still ongoing in Manila and in rural areas.

CRS has pledged aid to our partner, Caritas Philippines, which is distributing the food and other items to flood survivors. As more information on needs becomes available, CRS will continue to work closely with Caritas.

"Our church partners were able to respond immediately," says Picard, "and we will support them during this incredibly difficult time."

CRS has been working in the Philippines continuously since 1945 when it launched relief and reconstruction efforts in the wake of the Second World War. While CRS continues to provide relief to victims of natural and man-made emergencies, it has evolved into a premier development agency that supports ongoing programs in Peace and Reconciliation, Health, Enterprise Development, and Agriculture/Natural Resource Management.

Editors: Picard is available for interviews.

How to Help:

Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS

Donate online: www.crs.org

Write a check: Catholic Relief Services

P.O. Box 17090

Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org.