http://www.jw.org/en/news/by-region/asia/philippines/super-typhoon-haiyan/
MANILA, Philippines—Super Typhoon Haiyan (called
Yolanda in the Philippines), one of the strongest storms ever to make
landfall, ripped through the Philippines on November 8, 2013.
As of November 13, 2013, the Philippines branch
office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Manila reported that 27 Witnesses have
been confirmed dead. Well over 100 homes of the Witnesses and five
places of worship were destroyed.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is
coordinating the international disaster response from their world
headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. As part of these arrangements, the
Philippines branch office has been making efforts to deliver food,
water, medicine, and other supplies into the affected areas. By Sunday,
November 10, about ten vans filled with relief supplies had been
delivered, with additional trucks being dispatched the following day.
The region has had little time to recover from the
magnitude-7.2 earthquake that shook the Philippines on October 15,
2013, killing 218 people. Reports indicate that the massive quake
claimed the lives of three of Jehovah’s Witnesses, one in a landslide
and two more when their homes collapsed. The earthquake came on the
heels of Typhoon Nari, which struck the Philippines on October 12, 2013,
killing at least 13 people.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses cares
for expenses related to their relief efforts by utilizing funds donated
to their worldwide work. The Governing Body also assesses the need for
skilled volunteers, and works with their global network of branch
offices to provide qualified personnel to assist with disaster relief
work in cooperation with local authorities and other relief agencies.
Dean Jacek, a spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in
the Philippines, stated: “We are all deeply grieved over the extensive
loss of life caused by these recent catastrophes. There is a great need
for comfort in view of the destruction as well as the trauma to the
victims. We will continue to do our best to provide ongoing relief and
spiritual assistance to our friends and neighbors.”
Media Contact(s):
International: J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, tel. +1 718 560 5000
Philippines: Dean Jacek, tel. +63 2 411 6090
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