Typhoon Durian leaves 240,000 homeless

Media Release December 8, 2006.

Typhoon Durian leaves 240,000 homeless in Philippines at Christmas

The swathe of destruction caused by Typhoon Durian has left more than 570 people dead, 746 people missing presumed dead and hundreds of thousands of people homeless in the Philippines on the verge of Christmas.

Caritas Australia has pledged an initial amount of $50,000 and launched an appeal to assist with the emergency response and the long term rehabilitation. Currently estimates of damage to infrastructure and agriculture are in excess of $34.5 million.

Local partners of Caritas Australia, NASSA (Caritas Philippines) and the Social Action Centre of the diocese of Legazpi are active in emergency assistance. The Social Action Centre of Legazpi is coordinating the overall relief activities in the province Albay.

Food parcels including rice, noodles, sardines and water are being distributed in the first phase of the emergency response in addition to hygiene kits. Two areas in Legazpi City have been identified by Caritas Philippines as possible relocation areas for the families left homeless. Caritas Australia will commit funds to the reconstruction phase after initial emergency needs are met.

“This is a tragedy for hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines on the cusp of Christmas” said Caritas Australia’s CEO Jack de Groot. “With more than 1300 people missing and presumed dead, more than 79,000 houses totally destroyed and millions of people affected, we call on the Australian community to support the families so tragically affected”.

Typhoon Durian has also caused large scale devastation in Vietnam overnight and Caritas Australia is waiting for reports from our partners to gauge what response is required there.

You can pledge your support for the people affected by Typhoon Durian by donating to Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413 or via Caritas Australia’s website www.caritas.org.au

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