On the morning of November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the central Philippines, causing widespread damage and knocking out power and communications lines. Episcopal Relief & Development’s local partner, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, is working with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines on a coordinated response under the banner of Operation Paglingap (“caring” in Tagalog).

Your donation to the Philippines Fund will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to support the Episcopal Church in the Philippines as they respond to Super Typhoon Haiyan.

In the week following Super Typhoon Haiyan’s impact on November 8, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) engaged its member churches, including the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, to mobilize youth volunteers for Operation Paglingap (“caring” in Tagalog).

So far, the combined effort has produced 6,000 family food packs containing a week’s worth of basic supplies such as rice, fish and cooking oil.   The supplies were purchased in Manila with local and international funds, and an additional 5,000 food packs are currently in assembly.

Food and water are being distributed from Catbalogan, a city on the island of Samar, where Haiyan first made landfall.  Supply delivery is slowly progressing via truck and ferry, and NCCP staff are working with government and ecumenical partners to coordinate distribution to families in need.  Member church presence in rural communities will greatly help in expanding the reach of relief supplies.

Assessments are currently underway that will inform ongoing response efforts, including the relocation of displaced persons and pastoral care for those who have lost loved ones.