Church rushes aid to Manila flood victims

(Sept.29, 2009): In the Philippines, thousands of Manila residents are still trapped by floodwaters caused by tropical storm “Ketsana” and the government’s unpreparedness. "We are concentrating on massive relief operations. The system and the local government units are overwhelmed," said Anthony Golez, head of the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council.
Caritas volunteers and humanitarian associations are trying to cope with the emergency. “Students and other volunteers deployed in the various parishes are handing out food worth 5,000,000 pesos (US$ 105,000),” said Sister Rosanne Mallillin, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action. An additional US$ 146,000 has been pledged by the US Bishops’ Conference.
Official sources said that 7,000 people were rescued from the waters. So far, floodwaters have killed 106 people; 108 are missing and 435,000 are displaced. In addition to the capital Manila, the government has issued a state of alert for 25 other provinces. Government has set aside 4.57 million pesos (US$ 1,000,000), an amount that is insufficient to meet the needs of the over 435,000 displaced people and the thousands still trapped on the roof of their homes.