Catholic students rush to aid flood victims in Manila

August 24, 2013 - Young Filipino Catholics are at the forefront in relief operations helping the population hit by devastating monsoon rains, especially in the capital, Manila where displaced people have risen to more than 600 thousand. Meanwhile, Caritas has distributed packages with basic necessities to families in need containing rice, canned food, soups, coffee and drinking water. To avoid the danger of epidemics Catholic activists have collected hundreds of bags for medicines and personal hygiene with soap, detergent and toothpaste. In addition there are over 200 bags of clothes, which are donated by individual parishes of the capital. According to the latest estimates there are at least 600 thousand displaced people due to the bad weather, which made landfall on the Philippines this week - especially Manila and neighboring provinces - resulting in 20 deaths. Many people are in emergency relief centers, while others have found hospitality from friends and family. A first estimate of the damage comes to losses of 2.2 billion dollars in infrastructure and agriculture. (Source: AsiaNews)