Typhoon Odette

We ask you to pray for our partners in the Philippines – our development partner, IFI-VIMROD, their Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) church, and for all communities affected by last week’s Typhoon Odette.

Both the Visayas and Mindanao regions have been affected. At least 375 people have died and more are missing. More than 500 have been injured. Houses, churches and other properties have been badly damaged.

There are also widespread communication outages, as mobile phone towers and electricity supplies were hit.

IFI-VIMROD is right in the middle of the resulting chaos.

“We are fine, even as we face the crisis, said IFI-VIMROD’s Executive Director, Ms Clagel Nellas who is still trying to contact her staff.

The Obisbado Maximo (Prime Bishop) of the IFI church writes:

“Let us continue to pray for the affected people in Northeastern Mindanao and in the Visayas ravaged by Typhoon Odette.

“In Mindanao, Siargao, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao City and other mainland towns of Surigao del Norte suffered the brunt of Typhoon Odette…We continue to struggle to get reports from these areas as electricity and telecommunications are still downed…Houses, buildings and churches were blown off, electric posts and trees were uprooted filing over homes and blocking roads, and debris were all scattered around…Reports on casualties from these areas are unclear.”

The IFI has launched a campaign for support for relief response through its IFI Cares Program.
ABM’s Anglicans in Development is responding by sending funds from its Global Disaster Management and Climate Change Fund. Thanks to all who have donated to this fund in the past. It is times like this when we are so grateful to be able to help our neighbours in distress.