Church provides emergency aid after twin typhoons in the Philippines – Church News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working to provide aid to nearly 50,000 people after two typhoons hit the Philippines within days.

Typhoon Karmaegi, locally known as Typhoon Tino, crossed the central region of the country on Tuesday, November 4, dumping about a month and a half’s worth of rain on Cebu and other central island provinces in just one day.

The storm killed more than 230 people and affected millions.

A few days later, on Sunday, November 9, super typhoon Fanwong, locally known as Uwang, made landfall in Luzon. The storm affected large areas of northern and central Luzon, especially Aurora, Isabela, Catanduanes, and Ifugao.

This second typhoon placed further pressure on national and local responses, and the national government declared a state of emergency.

According to the church’s Philippine Newsroom, the church opened the doors of more than 240 meetinghouses to members and friends who took shelter from the storm or were evacuated by the floods.

Churches also provided food, clean drinking water, utility services, temporary shelter, portable emergency lighting, hygiene products, cooking supplies, and communication equipment.

Church members across the country donated hot meals, clothing, bedding, and other necessities.

Approximately 6,200 church members have been affected by Typhoon Karmaegi, with many experiencing damage to their homes and loss of property, the church’s Philippine Newsroom posted on social media on Thursday, November 6.

According to Philippine Newsroom, many families are still unable to return home and need assistance with clean-up efforts.

All missionaries serving in the Philippines are safe and held accountable. They are also working to support affected communities. Damage to meetinghouses has been kept to a minimum, and all temples remain open.

Philippine Newsroom also posted on social media on November 12 that an assistance needs assessment is underway.

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to local church leaders, members, and missionaries who have shown Christlike love and exemplified the Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ spirit by continuing to support each other and their neighbors during this extremely difficult time,” the Facebook post said.