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Posted: 11/11/2013 at 7:12pm
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Philippine Emergency Alert - "The Devastation is Heartbreaking"
From Christian Aid Mission
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amie Cotton, APR
amie@christianaid.org
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (ANS) -- As their nation reels from incomprehensible destruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, several Philippine ministries are pleading for immediate help and the steadfast prayers of Christian Aid Mission supporters.
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Filipinos salvage what items they can following Typhoon Haiyan Nov. 8. Christian Aid Mission is supporting ministries already on the ground meeting dire needs of food, water,
shelter and clothing.
(Photo credit: Newscom) | One of the strongest storms in recorded history -- with winds reaching upwards of 235 mph -- slammed ashore November 8 in the central Philippines. Tens of thousands are feared dead and more than half a million are now homeless.
Entire coastal villages were swept away by giant waves reminiscent of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The wide swath of structural destruction across the archipelago has directly affected some four million Filipinos.
The city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte was hit particularly hard, where the death toll is expected to rise to thousands. Clean water and food supplies are running low and reports began to surface Monday of cases of dysentery.
A Christian Aid ministry partner expressed great concern for residents of Tacloban. "We have not yet heard from our believers there. Communication has been cut off," he said.
Bohol Island, which suffered significant damage from an earthquake three weeks ago, was further ravaged by the typhoon. Missionaries and pastors serving in the area lost everything in the quake, and the typhoon has only added to their distress.
"Due to the strong earthquake, houses, church buildings, roads, and bridges were badly damaged," said a ministry leader who works on the island. "As a result, most of these believers were temporarily living in tents. Food, medicine, water, communication, and transportation are very hard for them to find."
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Destruction continues for miles in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
(Photo credit: Newscom) | He asked for urgent help for the 25 pastors who were directly affected by both the earthquake and typhoon. In addition, he reported there are "300 to 500 families from these pastors' congregations who are very much in need."
"No complaints are heard from them for they know Jesus knows what they are going through. Still, they need our prayers for comfort," he added.
Numerous churches and Bible schools assisted by Christian Aid have also been decimated by the typhoon.
Recovery efforts will take months, even years, and structural damage has been immense across the central Philippines. However, survival is the most pressing concern now, and water, food, and shelter are critically needed.
"The devastation on the islands is heartbreaking," said another ministry partner. "We covet your prayers."
About Christian Aid Mission
Christian Aid Mission (www.christianaid.org) is a non-profit organization that supports more than 800 ministries with over 80,000 indigenous or native missionaries that reach more than 3,000 different people groups worldwide. Our focus is on reaching the unreached - areas in the world where there are few Christians, where Christians suffer because of poverty or persecution or foreign missionaries are not allowed. Christian Aid Mission is a 60-year-old agency and one of the first organizations to support native missionaries overseas.
For more information, visit http://www.christianaid.org/News/2013/PhilippinesTyphoonEAle rt.aspx
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CAM53
Twitter: @LoveTheBrethren
LinkedIn: Christian Aid Mission
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Topic: Philippine Emergency Alert - "The Devastation is Heartbreaking"
