Caritas has been able to send food to people in desperate need in the Philippines, which is reeling after being hit by a massive storm.

Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) cut a path of destruction across several islands in the Philippines. Over 9.5 million people are in need of aid across nine provinces, 600,000 have been forced from their homes.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Secretary of Caritas Philippines-NASSA, said, “It’s the first time the Philippines has experienced a disaster of this magnitude. Despite the precautions, this was beyond all expectations. We couldn’t image a storm of this size hitting the Philippines.”

Much of Leyte is paralyzed after the storm made landfall on 8 November. A tidal surge of nearly 10 feet destroyed Tacloban City. A Caritas Philippines and Catholic Relief Service team (CRS is a Caritas member) reached Leyte by boat Sunday to assess the most urgent needs.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez said, “The casualties are increasing day by day. There are dead bodies everywhere. People are traumatised. The most urgent needs are for food and water.”

The Catholic Church in Leyte has been badly hit in Leyte too, with churches, convents and schools all receiving damage. “Despite the impact on the Church in Leyte, we are working with the neighbouring dioceses such as Maasin to get food in by road Monday morning,” said Fr Gariguez.

Caritas Philippines is also concerned about other islands which have yet to be reached.

“We are getting reports from Panay and Biliran that the situation there is very difficult. Houses have been levelled. There are many casualties. They haven’t been reached yet. People lack the basic necessities,” said Fr Gariguez.

Caritas and CRS say the priorities are emergency shelter, water and sanitation, household relief items (blankets, kitchen items, cookware), potable water and toilets as relief operations gear up.

“We really need all the help we can get,” said Fr Gariguez. “This is a catastrophe. We appreciate all the messages of solidarity from Caritas organisations and their supporters around the world.”

Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga said, “Our prayers are with the people of Philippines. They are a people who have suffered many natural disasters in the past, always with great resilience and faith. They can be assured of the support of Caritas around the world.”

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the typhoon after the Sunday Angelus in St Peter’s Square. He urged those present to help their brothers and sisters in the Philippines concretely, as well as through prayer.

For more information please contact Patrick Nicholson on +39 06 6987 9725 or by e-mail at nicholson@caritas.va.