Catholic bishops join calls for more aid to storm victims

MANILA, Philippines—Catholic bishops in Mindanao joined local government officials and aid agencies in appealing for help for the victims and survivors of the flash floods that struck the island over the weekend.

“There are many victims, many lost their homes and we’re helping them,” Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

Diocesan social action directors Fr. Albert Mendez of Iligan and Fr. Bong Galila of Tandag said those in Manila could course their help through Radio Veritas, Caritas Manila and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action.

The victims need bottled water, medicines, food supplies, like canned goods, and kitchen tools, according to Mendez.

Fr. Anton Pascual, the Caritas Manila executive director, said the charitable institution had formed “Caritas Damay Mindanao,” a fund-raising program to help those in evacuation centers in affected areas in Mindanao.

“In the spirit of Christmas, I am appealing to our countrymen that if they have excess money (to spend for the holidays), they just give it to our countrymen who were affected by the typhoon,” Pascual said. Those interested in donating can find instructions on www.caritasmanila.org.ph.