Winter 2014
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Typhoon Haiyan
Stronger bonds and
building faith
The Salvation Army Philippine Relief Team
On November 8, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan devastated vast portions of Southeast
Asia, particularly the Philippines. More than 6,190 lives were lost; families
displaced, with the storm officially recorded as the strongest typhoon for its
wind speed.
The Salvation Army began responding immediately, offering what they could,
sharing prayer and words of hope, being a compassionate presence. Since
then the international Salvation Army has provided additional support. Over a
quarter of million meals were served, 4,000 received immediate medical care,
and 8,200 families were provided with food relief consisting of rice, noodles
and canned goods. Three thousand families have received roofing supplies
and an additional 5,000 have received vegetable seeds and agricultural tools
to restart their farms again. The ability to respond quickly, and to work through
the logistical challenges such a disaster creates, is made easier because of
the Salvation Army has been present in the Philippines since the early 1930’s.
There is much more to be done. The Salvation Army has focused its efforts
in Tacloban, and will now move into providing support as those in the
communities re-build their lives. An international team will provide additional
support as community assessments continue. Manjita Biswas, a member
of the World Missions team, will be joining in the assessment process in the
Philippines at the beginning of February.
We are grateful for the generosity of our many donors – more than $500,000
has been donated. For more information of the response of the international
Salvation Army, please visit www.salvationarmy.org. Updates of the specific
response your donations have supported, please visit the World Missions
website at www.saworldmissions.ca.