Dear
Friends,
Although we all care about people hit
with natural disasters in any part of the world, we in
SCNC have special concern today on behalf of our own
churches with family and friends in both the Philippines
and Samoa. We are waiting with them for word
of any of their congregational connections in the
disaster areas. Below you will find the latest situation
reports from Church World Service. Until we have
more specific news, we invite you to hold our own
congregations and their home countries in prayer.
In Christ,
Your SCNC
Staff | | |
|
|
| CWS situation
report: Philippines floods |
Tuesday, September 29,
2009
Situation
Tropical Storm Ketsana has
killed 140 persons in the northern part of the Philippines,
and at least 32 people are reported missing, the Associated
Press reported today. Tens of thousands remain displaced from
their homes.
The
24-hour downfall of rain, on September 26, amounting to more
than a foot in a one-day period, resulted in devastating flash
floods and landslides, mainly affecting the northern island of
Luzon.
CWS
Response
CWS will be responding through
local partners in the Philippines. The National Council of
Churches in the Philippines, an Action by Churches Together
member and a long-time CWS partner, reports that member
churches have opened their doors to survivors as evacuation
and relief centers. Another ACT member, Christian Aid, reports
that its local partner, Socio Pastoral Institute, is working
with poor urban communities in the riverside areas of Quezon
City.
Christian Aid reports that the
homes and possessions of 350 families, some 2,000 persons,
were severely damaged by the flood while 85 houses were
completely washed away. Almost all affected families lost all
their possessions. Many residents have also lost their means
of livelihood as factory workers, tricycle drivers and small
vendors. Other Christian Aid partners are conducting
assessments.
CWS
will support an appeal being prepared by NCCP and Christian
Aid. NCCP has already indicated that requested relief
assistance will include food, drinking water, non-food relief
items, basic medicines and personal hygiene needs. Christian
Aid's partner SPI has indicated initial plans to address the
needs of 350 urban poor families through distribution of
relief goods. This would include food, water, clothes,
candles, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and cooking items, such
as pots and pans.
How to
help
Contributions to support
Church World Service emergency response and recovery efforts
may be made online, by
phone (800.297.1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O.
Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.
|
| CWS Situation
Report:2009 Samoan Tsunami |
Wednesday, September
30, 2009 
A
sub-sea earthquake appears to be the cause of a massive
tsunami some 120 miles off the coast of Samoa, an island in
the South Pacific and home to around 475,000 people. The
8.0-magnitude earthquake created a tsunami that eyewitnesses
say was around 20 feet high, engulfing buildings around the
island's perimeter.
Situation
A sub-sea earthquake
appears to be the cause of a massive tsunami some 120 miles
off the coast of Samoa, an island in the South Pacific and
home to around 475,000 people. The 8.0-magnitude earthquake
created a tsunami that eyewitnesses say was around 20 feet
high, engulfing buildings around the island's
perimeter.
The
Independent State of Samoa sustained at least 110 casualties,
while at least 24 lost their lives in the adjoining U.S.
territory of American Samoa. The death toll is expected to
rise.
More
casualties are confirmed on the small northern island of
Niuatoputapu, in Tonga.
U.S.
President Barack Obama has already declared a major disaster
in American Samoa, with teams from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency already on the way, and with additional
support guaranteed for the Independent State of Samoa and
Niuatoputapu.
Widespread damage to houses
and infrastructure has occurred in the region. Caritas
Australia workers report efforts underway to provide emergency
medical care at converted facilities.
CWS
Response
Church World Service staff are
monitoring the situation, staying in contact with FEMA Region
9 staff and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs.
CWS
stands ready to provide material resources, training and
project development support to the affected areas.
How to
help
Contributions to support Church World
Service emergency response and recovery efforts may be made online, by
phone (800.297.1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O.
Box 968, Elkhart, IN
46515. | |
| |
