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Tropical Storm in the Philippines: Number of people affected doubled since Monday

Malteser International to provide supplies to two hospitals in disaster region

Situated at the foot of the mountain and near the river bank, Orchid Village is one of the most devastated places in Iligan. Photo: Malteser Philippines

Cologne. According to the most recent reports by the Philippine disaster management authorities, the number of people affected by Friday’s flash floods has doubled since Monday. More than 63,000 families, or 338,000 people, have lost their homes and belongings due to the storm waters. More than 42,000 residents have taken shelter in evacuation centres in the disaster area, and more than 1,500 people are injured. The death toll now nears 1,000.

The Philippine association of the Order of Malta, which is conducting relief activities in the region on behalf of Malteser International, are sending nearly two tons of food, medicines and supplies to the disaster area around Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Four volunteer aid workers of the association’s auxiliary corps will arrive in Cagayan tomorrow. 

“My wife lost some relatives in Iligan, in the Lanao del Norte province. Many other people remain missing,” reports Ramon Pietro, local member of the Order of Malta. “We have been coordinating our help with many people. We are sending supplies such as blankets, towels, hospital gloves, sleeping mats and soap to our partner hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy in Iligan and to St. Paul’s Hospital in Cagayan de Oro.”

Malteser International is supporting the Philippine association with an initial 10,000 euros. The organisation has worked with its local partners since Typhoon Ketsana in 2009, providing trainings in emergency relief management and helping set up projects in disaster risk reduction, since the island state is constantly afflicted by natural disasters.

The flash floods were caused by tropical storm Washi, which caught hundreds of families on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao unaware in the middle of the night last Friday.

Attention editors: Roland Hansen, head of the Asia department at Malteser International, is available for interviews. Contact through Malteser International’s headquarters at +49 (0) 221 98 22-169.

Please support Malteser International’s relief efforts in the Philippines:

Reference: “Disaster relief Philippines”

Malteser International is the worldwide relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid. The organisation provides aid in about 100 projects in more than 20 countries without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence are the foundation of its work. For further information: www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.int