United Methodist bishops launch appeal for Philippines
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Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines deliver family food packs to aid communities affected by
Tropical Storm Ketsana in Manila.
A UMNS photo by Lance Cpl. Marie Matarlo, U.S. Marine Corps.
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By United Methodist News Service
Nov. 19, 2009
The United Methodist Council of Bishops has issued a
Churchwide Appeal for Philippines Disasters in response to the multiple
typhoons that have struck the country.
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Families receive relief supplies by boat. A web-only photo by Ciony Eduarte, UMCOR.
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The appeal, which was announced Nov. 19, will provide
humanitarian relief and support for the ministries of The United
Methodist Church in the Philippines.
In late September and October, four typhoons—Ketsana, Parma,
Lupit and Mirinae—hit the Philippines, leaving more than a thousand
dead and an estimated 1.3 million people displaced. Causing drowning,
landslides and electrocutions, the storms also had a disastrous impact
on farmlands, houses and infrastructure. The country faces a public
health emergency and is struggling to fight outbreaks of infection.
“Can you imagine all the small villages near a mountainside being
buried and thousands of lives lost?” said Bishop Leo A. Soriano,
episcopal leader of the Davao Area. “Our people are so very sad because
they have lost their wives and husbands, their children, their loved
ones. Their homes are gone. Crops and livestock have disappeared. They
have no livelihood.”
In addition, the storms and flooding affected more than 200,000 United Methodists in 1,372 local churches.
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Bishop Leo A. Soriano
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“The greatest needs facing the Filipino people are rehabilitation
programs for their destroyed houses, livelihood, rice and vegetable
farms,” said Bishop Lito Cabacungan Tangonan of the Manila Episcopal
Area. “For The United Methodist Church, there is also a need for
repairs and renovation of the churches affected by the typhoon and
floods.”
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has started distributing
relief supplies to displaced families, working with other organizations
as well as local volunteers through its UMCOR Philippines Office.
With support from several Asian American bishops and the National
Association of Filipino American United Methodists , Bishop Rodolfo A.
Juan of the Baguio Area showed a moving presentation to fellow bishops
during the council’s Nov. 2-5 meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C.,
displaying the graphic devastation in the Philippines. The bishops then
voted on a special appeal.
“Everybody was silent,” Soriano said. “No discussions. No questions. They simply approved it immediately.”
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The bishops of The United Methodist Church are launching an appeal to
help the people of the Philippines.
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The bishops are developing the appeal with support from the General
Council on Finance and Administration, the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries and United Methodist Communications, in partnership
with the Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops.
Bishops are asking the denomination’s annual (regional) conferences and
local churches to designate a Sunday to give congregations an
opportunity to participate in the churchwide appeal.
Donations can be made directly through local churches. Conference
treasurers will forward contributions to the General Council on Finance
and Administration No. 818-002-PHP. In addition, givers can donate
online at umcappeal.org.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Video Interview with Bishop Leo Soriano
“This probably will be the worst Christmas they will ever experience.”
“People are still having trauma about it.”
Related Articles
Typhoons leave Philippines ‘reeling,’ bishop says
Philippines emerges from flood-inducing typhoons
ACT workers preparing for fourth storm
UMCOR distributes relief supplies in the Philippines
Relief Office in Philippines offers help, hope
Resources
The Churchwide Appeal for Philippines Disasters
UMCOR
ACT International
UMC-Manila Episcopal Area
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