Cardinal Tagle calls for unity in response to Philippine flooding

21 Aug. 2013: Workers of Catholic relief agencies prepared to deliver aid to tens of thousands of displaced people in the Philippines capital – Manila, and surrounding communities after flooding caused by seasonal monsoon rains and an offshore typhoon. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila appealed for unity to meet the challenges of the disaster, which affected more than 500,000 people, including nearly 41,000, who made it to 199 evacuation centers, reported ucanews. "In this time of crisis, I'm appealing to everyone, let us help one another in little or big ways, to lessen the pain of those who have suffered from this bad weather," Cardinal Tagle said in a radio broadcast. "I hope this scourge of Mother Nature will result in deep cooperation among our people to ease the pain of those who may have lost their loved ones, their properties and homes," the cardinal said. Ucan reported late Tuesday (Aug. 20) that eight people had died, 41 were injured and four were missing because of the floods.
At the peak of the flooding Aug. 20, the government reported that more than half of Manila was under water, and people made their way through chest-high water to evacuation centers.