The typhoon swept through the Philippines this weekend with over 4.3 million people in its path.

NASSA/Caritas Philippines is responding and is carrying out assessments of the impact.

Heavy landslides, especially in the Cordillera and Nueva Vizcaya regions, have caused over 60 fatalities and many injuries. Initial assessments suggest that many houses have been damaged, with water and power having been lost in many affected areas.

The agricultural livelihood sector is believed to have been the hardest hit. Advisers in the Philippines estimate that up to four-fifths of the rice and corn crops in the agricultural district of Cagayan were damaged or destroyed from wind and rain.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Philippines today as they seek to assess the impact of Typhoon Mangkhut, "said Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

"We particularly remember those families and communities that have lost loved ones,"

Caritas invites New Zealanders to show solidarity with the Philippines and to donate to our General Emergency Fund. CANZ is sending assistance to Caritas Philippines for immediate response and is committed to support our relationship through long-term recovery efforts.

Donations can be made via the Caritas website:
Or by Internet banking into the Caritas account: 03-0518-0211216-00
Or by phone: 0800 22 10 22.

Supplied

Mark leads the humanitarian work programme of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. He has worked in emergencies in Kosovo, Africa and Christchurch.

In the Philippines he is heading up a five member Emergency Response and Support Team based in Cebu. Brought together to support Caritas Philippines, the team is coordinating the global Caritas relief effort after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which has displaced or left homeless 4.01 million people.

‘People here are in desperate need. We are working hard to get emergency supplies to where they are most needed', he says.

‘Water, food, medicine, shelter, hygiene and sanitation are immediate priorities. As well as clearing debris and sorting logistics so aid can get through', says Mark.

Mark travelled with the Australian Air Force yesterday carrying 500 tarpaulins from the New Zealand government to Tacloban, one of the worst hit cities.

‘There were people, dust, planes everywhere - incredibly loud with hundreds and hundreds people queued up to get on flights out of Tacloban. There were trees broken half way up and the airport terminal destroyed,' he said.

‘We saw the ceaseless activity of international aid and the challenges that come with it,' said Mark. ‘But working in partnership with Caritas Philippines means we have a good mechanism to deliver these emergency, essential supplies as quickly as possible. We are here to listen to what people want and assist however we can'.

Caritas Philippines has distributed more than 68,310 relief packs as well as NZ$365,888 to local diocese for food and immediate needs - this has gone to help 345,000 people.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand launched an emergency appeal for the Philippines last week. Already, well over $250,000 has been raised. This funding will help provide essential food, hygiene kits, non-food household items and shelter repairs for 55,000 of the most vulnerable households (275,000 people) severely impacted by the Typhoon.

Donations to the Caritas Philippines Relief Appeal can be made by:

• Phoning 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations;
• Phoning 0900 4 11 11 to make an automatic $20 donation from your phone bill;
• Donating online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz; or
• Posting toCaritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand.

Updates on the Caritas response are available at http://www.caritas.org.nz/philippines-typhoon and Facebook and Twitter.

Source

• Supplied: Caritas Aotearoa/New Zealand
• Image: Supplied Ryan Worms/Caritas.

Bishop Dunn said that a large congregation had been expected, but they had been overwhelmed by the numbers of people who came.

It was the biggest gathering he had seen at the Cathedral, he said.

Radio New Zealand reported that the church was filled to overflowing, with as many people standing outside the church as inside. The distribution of communion took almost one hour

"Our hearts ache for the people in the Philippines," Bishop Dunn said today, "and for those many thousands of Filippinos who live here in our Auckland Diocese, many of whom are unable to make contact with their families and friends because of the breakdown in infrastructure and communications."

A special collection was taken up to be sent to the Catholic international aid agency, Caritas, to augment the $100,000 they are raising to send to the Philippines.

Other Masses to pray for the Philippines scheduled:

Wellington
7pm, Friday 15 November
Sts Peter & Paul, Knights Rd Lower Hutt

Hamilton
7pm, Friday 15 November
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grey St Hamilton

Christchurch
6.30pm, Friday 22 November
St Teresa of Lisieux, Puriri St, Riccarton

4pm, 8 December
Christ the King, Greers Rd Burnside

Ashburton
7pm, 8 December

There are other Masses planned but times and places have yet to be decided.

St Patrick's Cathedral will is open each day from 6am to 8pm for people who wish to pray, light a candle, or make an offering in the donation box to support the Caritas appeal.

Sources

• Catholic Diocese of Auckland
• Supplied: Archdiocese of Wellington
• Supplied: NZCBC
• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: Screen Shot TV3

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is working through NASSA (Caritas Philippines) along with other Caritas member agencies. Teams are assessing immediate needs for food, water, clothing and shelter, among the 9.5 million people thought to be affected by the latest typhoon.

Donations to Caritas can be made by:

• Phoning 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations
• Phoning 0900 4 11 11 to make an automatic $20 donation from your phone bill
• Donating online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz
• Posting to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand

‘A picture of massive devastation is emerging from our contacts on the ground,' says Caritas Director Julianne Hickey. ‘We fear the scale of destruction in yet unreached areas will be catastrophic, as many of the areas affected are among the Philippines' poorest communities. As well as loss of life and homes, people's livelihoods from farming, livestock and fishing are greatly affected.'

The hardest-hit communities have no water, no food and no electricity. Families from informal settler communities are the worst hit by the storm surge and need immediate assistance according to the local church.

"It's the strongest and biggest storm that has hit the country,' says the head of Caritas Philippines-NASSA, Fr. Edwin Gariguez. ‘It's hit an area already devastated by an earthquake. We are in great need. It's a really big calamity.'

‘We will support the emergency response through to long-term recovery,' says Ms Hickey. ‘Caritas expresses its heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Filipino community in Aotearoa New Zealand as they wait for more news from their homeland and loved ones.'

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• Image: news.com.au