1.6M families-typhoon survivors still need basic provisions

Donated sacks of rice are repacked by volunteers.
 

SOME 1.64 million families who survived the devastation wreaked by typhoon Yolanda are still in dire need of basic necessities, according to Caritas Manila. 

Caritas Manila executive director, Fr. Anton Pascual said more than a million families in Palawan, Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Naval and Cebu are still short of basic provisions.

At least around 85,000 relief food bags with additional medicines, hygiene and household items have already been distributed by Caritas to the provinces of Aklan – 3,500; Antique – 1, 604; Capiz – 5,750; Cebu – 7,000; Samar – 11,641; Iloilo – 8,150; Masbate – 3,130; Naval – 5,725; Palawan – 11,000; and Leyte – 27,501.

Caritas’ campaign for donation is ongoing especially for basic provisions such as rice, biscuits, bottled water, coffee, canned goods, soap, toothpaste, new underwear, cooking ware, beddings, tool boxes, working/school clothes, crucifix/rosaries. 

Hundreds of volunteers turn up every day at the San Carlos Seminary gymnasium, the temporary warehouse and repacking center of Caritas Manila to prepare the relief goods for distribution.  
 

According to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the Manila archdiocese is planning long-term assistance for rehabilitation of the people and the areas. 

The campaign drive for Yolanda survivors as of Nov. 21 has garnered cash donations of 14 million pesos from parishes, lay people, organizations, corporations and foreigners. 

The amount does not include donations and pledges that are still being verified and also the second collections of two Sundays from several parishes.  

Msgr. Rolando de la Cruz, parish priest of San Fernando de Dilao Parish, said the special collection held during the Prayer Service and Holy hour for those affected by the recent calamities at the San Fernando de Dilao last Nov. 16 wherein Cardinal Tagle, the deacons and priests also put in their offerings, has collected Php 97,000. 

The parish finance council contributed Php 3,000 more to round off the donation to Php100,000.  

As of Nov. 22, Caritas has total donations of Php 38M in cash and Php 5M in kind, according to Pascual. 

Those who wish to donate for Yolanda survivors may send their donations to CARITAS MANILA, INC. Trunkline: 562-0020 to 25; Fax No: 563-9306; Email: cm@caritasmanila.org.ph; Bank Accounts: BPI S/A 3063-5357-01; BDO S/A 5600-45905; Metrobank S/A 175-3-17506954-3UNIONBANK or logon to www.rcam.org.