TYPHON DESASTER IN DUMAGUETE CITY AND TANJAY NEGROS ORIENTAL.wmv

Typhoon disaster strikes Philippines


17 December 2011

More than 650 people have been killed after a typhoon struck the southern Philippines.

Hours of continuous rain unleashed flooding which has left tens of thousands of people homeless on the island of Mindanao, with the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan particularly badly affected.

Hundreds of people are missing following the storm, which struck on Friday night, with many of those unaccounted for being swept into the sea.

A military spokesman said some villages had been entirely destroyed by the fast rising flood waters.

Tearfund has responded to many similar emergencies over the years, and we know that these next few days, when people are searching for loved ones and trying to retrieve valuable items, are extremely distressing for everyone in the community affected by floods.

Please pray for people who are grieving the loss of family and friends and for those who are living with the terrifying uncertainty of wondering whether their family members are still alive.

Pray for those who have lost their homes and their livelihoods because of the floods; that they will find the help they need to rebuild their lives.

We know that it's going to be a long time before people in these communities feel that they have rebuilt their lives. Pray that they have the equipment and the help they need to 'build back better', to make sure that any future floods have less devastating impact.

There are many islands and countries around the world who are more prone to natural disasters than previously, because climates are changing. Pray that world leaders will reach an agreement to provide money to help vulnerable countries to prevent, prepare and respond to changing climates and natural disasters.

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Tags:

• Typhon
• Desaster
• Dumaguete
• Philippines