Philippines residents rush to safety past a fallen tree during strong winds brought by Typhoon Haiyan. Photo: REUTERS/Zander Casas, courtesy www.alertnet.org
Situation
As Typhoon Haiyan barrels down on the Philippines, nearly 13 million people are preparing for torrential rain, immense winds and potential flooding in what is expected to be a large-scale emergency. The storm is anticipated to affect 33 provinces, including those already struggling to recover from the recent earthquake in Bohol, and is prompting preparation efforts in other countries across Asia.
CWS Response
Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.
CWS staff are closely monitoring the situation in concert with ACT Alliance and its members who have significant operations in the Philippines, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Lutheran World Relief, Christian Aid and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. These partners have alerted the communities in which they work, taking precautions as possible and preparing for immediate needs assessment once the storm has safely passed.
As the storm’s track is expected to continue beyond the Philippine archipelago, CWS staff across Asia – especially in Vietnam – are preparing for its impact and anticipated humanitarian response.
How to Help
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be made online, sent to your denomination or mailed to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.