From Sisters Hospitallers we launch a solidarity campaign, with the aim of raising funds and collaborating with people affected by Typhoon Rai, in the Philippines.
The super typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, made landfall in the Philippines, on the island of Siargao, on December 16. Since that time, nearly 400 people have lost their lives and more than a million residents remain displaced. According to the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Philippines, it is estimated that more than 4 million people have been affected by this phenomenon, in more than 400 cities in the Philippines. The United Nations has classified as “absolute devastation” the areas hit hardest by the typhoon, such as the tropical paradises of Siargao and Bohol, which have been left unrecognizable after the floods.
Thousands of people, especially the poorest, have been left without houses, due to the plastic and metal wooden roofs being blown up; without food or drinking water, due to floods; and no electricity, due to falling utility poles. Many people continue to be housed in unhealthy evacuation centers without running water, with the consequent concern of the spread of diseases, such as Covid-19.
Sisters Hospitallers in the Philippines
The storm hit several densely populated areas, including Cebu, a major city of almost one million people, affecting two centers of Sisters Hospitallers, the Divine Mercy Family Home (DMFH), a center that welcomes and rehabilitates people with mental illness, and the Maria Josefa Therapeutic Center (MJRTC). While the residents of these are well, the centers have suffered some damage to the buildings and are without power. The Sisters have some generators, but due to the high costs of gasoline, they cannot be in operation for more than two hours, which is not enough to avoid the emergency. But the most worrying thing is that some families of the sisters and workers of the Centers have been left with their houses practically destroyed.
To collaborate with affected people, and help rebuild some homes of those relatives of sisters and workers of the Sisters Hospital centers, from the Benito Menni Foundation, of Sisters Hospitallers, we join the call to collect funds for the Philippines. Donations will be received in the account ES41 0049 1834 192110182167 from the Benito Menni Foundation, during the months of January to March 2022.
