BALTIMORE—Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is providing cash assistance to more than 1,100 families to meet immediate needs in the wake of damage caused by Typhoon Tembin, which swept across the island nation of the Philippines in the days before Christmas.
Typhoon Tembin (known as Vinta in the Philippines) made landfall on December 22 in the southern island of Mindanao, crossing a number of provinces and causing flash floods and landslides in several locations. The storm killed more than 190 people, a toll that is expected to rise. It damaged nearly 7,000 houses and caused agricultural losses estimated at $26 million. With more than 800,000 people affected by the storm, the needs are immense and LWR is positioned to expand its initial response as resources become available.
The typhoon is the second major upheaval for families forced to flee Marawi City seven months ago due to armed conflict between ISIS-affiliated militants and the Philippines military. Evacuation centers in Iligan City and Lanao provinces, which are still hosting displaced families from Marawi City, also suffered damage.
LWR is well-positioned to respond to the needs of families affected by Typhoon Tembin. The international NGO has been working with local partner MARADECA to assist more than 3,000 families displaced during the siege of Marawi City. While many displaced families from the earlier conflict have returned to their homes in Marawi, up to 70 percent of the families who will receive assistance because of this latest typhoon remain displaced and are living with other host families or in evacuation centers.
LWR has been working in the Philippines since the 1960s, with programs in Mindanao focusing on agriculture and food security, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, peacebuilding, and emergency response. LWR has responded to several major emergencies in the Philippines, including Tropical Storm Washi in 2011, Typhoon Bopha in 2012, and Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
How to Help:
Donate By Phone: (800) 597.5972
Donate By Mail: Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061
Donate Online: donate.lwr.org/worldofgood
About Lutheran World Relief: LWR is an international NGO with nearly 75 years of demonstrated expertise that works in partnership with local communities to build their capabilities and collaborate on long-term solutions to reduce extreme poverty. In times of emergency, LWR is also a trusted partner to distribute aid and ensure people are prepared to withstand the next unexpected challenge. For more information, visit lwr.org.
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