The devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the planet this year continues to unfold. World Vision reports that an estimated 11.8 million people (almost double Singapore’s population) have been affected, and the death toll remains unconfirmed with recent reports estimating 4,000 killed in Tacloban.
2.5 million are now in need of food assistance, water and shelter. The Methodist Church in Singapore will support World Vision International in its appeal for funds for its emergency and relief operations for the victims of Haiyan.
Respond to this appeal through your local churches, where second offerings and collections may be taken. Should you wish to make a donation separately, please contact your Pastor-in-Charge.
The Permit granted to World Vision by the Commissioner of Charities allows them to raise funds from the public between now and 31 May 2014. 100 per cent of funds raised will go towards the Haiyan disaster relief.
Photos by World Vision International
Janine’s story (Share s131329-8): World Vision, along with Samsung Philippines, yesterday distributed relief goods to around 700 affected families in Samosa and Manlagtan, two villages in the municipality of Tabogon, Cebu.
The municipality of Tabogon is one of the hardest hit municipalities in northern part of Cebu where more than 23,000 families have been displaced and economically affected by super typhoon Haiyan.
Janine, 30, who has no place to live after super typhoon Haiyan blew away her house, has been living inside the unfinished health center of Manlagtan, Tabogon. A single parent, she attends to the needs of her 4-month old son, James, and 4-year-old daughter, Samantha alone.
“It was difficult for me. My husband left me 7 months ago. I have to take care of James and my 4-year-old daughter. I have no work. My relatives live far from here. I don’t know where or how to start,” Janine says in Cebuano, the local language in Cebu.
Janine said she has been with no place to live expect the health center which is still under construction.
Tabogon still has no electricity. Local officials say power may be restored 2-3 months because of the extent of damage super typhoon Haiyan caused to power supplies and electric posts. The municipality is also having difficulty in terms of communication signals.
“The usual day-to-day life here is that people wake up early either to fix their houses or look for food. We get our water here from a nearby well. We only use it for washing our clothes, utensils and for bathing. Water for drinking is a problem. We usually wait for a supply of clean water, if there’s none, then we just boil water from the well. At night, we sleep early, around 6:00. I used to sleep at 10:00pm before, right after watching my favorite TV soap opera. Now, there’s not much to do, so we sleep early.”
The village of Samosa is a 3 hour drive away from Cebu City, the capital of Cebu, in the central part of the Philippines. One has to go through