Shine God's Love After the Storm
Typhoon survivor attempts to salvage some of her family's belongings from the wreckage of Haiyan
ZOA/Word & Deed
As the number of disaster-affected and displaced people continues to rise in the central Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, Christians are at the forefront providing aid and support to storm survivors.
Typhoon Haiyan battered the country on Nov. 8 and so far 4,460 people are confirmed dead.
“The devastation faced by the people of the Philippines is horrific,” said Wayne de Jong, director of disaster response and rehabilitation for World Renew.
“Homes have been washed away, villages are completely destroyed, and many don’t know where their loved ones are or if they are safe. It is a time of true pain and darkness in which the presence of God’s love is sorely needed.”
World Renew is responding. Its primary partner is the Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines (CRCP), a denomination that World Renew has worked with since 1970.
One of World Renew’s main goals in its long-term partnership with the CRCP has been to raise up church leaders who are equipped to reach out and respond to the needs of those in their communities.
As a result of this partnership, the CRCP now has a well-organized Disaster Response Team that has been trained by World Renew in the past and has gained significant experience responding to natural disasters.
“Through the CRCP, World Renew has been able to be Jesus’ hands and feet after countless typhoons, tropical storms, earthquakes and other disasters in the past,” said de Jong.
“These local churches are ideally located to identify people most in need. They also offer Christian personnel to sort, transport, and distribute goods as well as provide grief counseling.
“By working through the CRCP, World Renew is better equipped to respond quickly when disasters arise, and we also have an opportunity to build up the reputation and Christian witness of the local church in the community.”
Together with the CRCP, World Renew is providing urgently needed food, water, temporary shelter and hygiene items to 3,000 families left homeless by Typhoon Haiyan on the islands of Panay and Samar.
World Renew is also considering partnering with Philippine Relief and Development Services – an agency of the Philippines Council of Evangelical Churches. In the longer-term, World Renew will be assisting with reconstruction and rehabilitation through these capable Christian partner organizations.
“The needs of typhoon survivors are great and will continue for years to come. We would love to walk alongside them by providing physical and spiritual aid for the coming months and even years, but the scope and duration of our response will depend on the amount of financial support we receive,” said de Jong.
Gifts made by Canadians between Nov. 9 - Dec. 9, 2013 will be matched 1:1 by the Canadian Government. Donations must be received by World Renew on or by Dec. 9 in order to qualify for the match. For more information, review our Frequently Asked Questions.
Checks marked “Philippines Typhoon Haiyan” can be sent to:
World Renew US
1700 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407
Tel: 1-800-552-7972
World Renew Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8
Tel: 1-800-730-3490
