From: Rivera, John
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 8:53 AM
To: CRS-US
Subject: Catholic Relief Services Poised to Respond as Super Typhoon Slams Philippines
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 8:53 AM
To: CRS-US
Subject: Catholic Relief Services Poised to Respond as Super Typhoon Slams Philippines
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACT: Liz O’Neill Laura Sheahen
Catholic Relief Services Catholic Relief Services
Baltimore Manila
(443) 955-7125 63 (0) 915 772 9319
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES POISED TO RESPOND
AS SUPER TYPHOON SLAMS PHILIPPINES
Manila, October 18, 2010--Catholic Relief Services is readying emergency humanitarian aid for families affected by Typhoon Megi, the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines in years. The typhoon struck northeast Luzon on Monday and has already damaged houses, infrastructure, and crops.
"Heavy rains are blanketing northern Luzon following the extreme winds experienced today," says Joe Curry, country representative for CRS in the Philippines. "We are watching for potential flooding and getting access to affected areas."
CRS is working with local dioceses and with Caritas Philippines to respond to the crisis. Arnaldo Arcadia, Emergency Program Manager for CRS, was at a parish outside the city of Baguio during a bad point in Monday's storm. "We took refuge in the parish when the winds were strong and the rain was battering down," he says. He and CRS partners were eventually able to return to the city.
Crop damage is a concern for northern Luzon's impoverished farmers. "The wind has become very strong now," said Father Val Dimoc on Monday from the mountainous Cordillera region. "Upland rice farmers who planted in early July were about to harvest, but their crops have been blown down by the wind."
In the immediate wake of 2009's devastating Typhoon Ketsana, CRS reached over 10,000 people with emergency items like cookware, soap, and buckets. In the following months, CRS employed survivors to remove flood debris and clear drainage areas. It also rebuilt houses.
CRS has worked in the Philippines since 1945, assisting those in need without regard to race or creed.
"Heavy rains are blanketing northern Luzon following the extreme winds experienced today," says Joe Curry, country representative for CRS in the Philippines. "We are watching for potential flooding and getting access to affected areas."
CRS is working with local dioceses and with Caritas Philippines to respond to the crisis. Arnaldo Arcadia, Emergency Program Manager for CRS, was at a parish outside the city of Baguio during a bad point in Monday's storm. "We took refuge in the parish when the winds were strong and the rain was battering down," he says. He and CRS partners were eventually able to return to the city.
Crop damage is a concern for northern Luzon's impoverished farmers. "The wind has become very strong now," said Father Val Dimoc on Monday from the mountainous Cordillera region. "Upland rice farmers who planted in early July were about to harvest, but their crops have been blown down by the wind."
In the immediate wake of 2009's devastating Typhoon Ketsana, CRS reached over 10,000 people with emergency items like cookware, soap, and buckets. In the following months, CRS employed survivors to remove flood debris and clear drainage areas. It also rebuilt houses.
CRS has worked in the Philippines since 1945, assisting those in need without regard to race or creed.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org.
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