LDSC provides aid to areas hit by ‘Rolly’ and ‘Ulysses’
Latter- day Saint Charities ( LDS C), the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, started relief efforts last week in areas hit by Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) in partnership with TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation and the Philippine Navy Reserve Command.
LDS C also coordinated with local Church leaders and partners to provide assistance in assembling relief kits, transportation, security, delivery and distribution to families and individuals.
The donated items included family food kits, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits.
Nineteen meeting houses were used as evacuation centers and have, at various times, provided shelter to hundreds of displaced people. All missionaries were safe and accounted for following Rolly.
Members in Oas mourned the loss of two fellow members— a 49- yearold woman and a 10-year- old boy— who were reportedly killed. Another member from the region was reported missing.
Typhoon Ulysses
One week af ter Typhoon Rol ly exited the Phi l ippines, another typhoon went through the same trail last November 11.
Typhoon Ulysses ( international name Vamco) carried heavy rainfall that triggered massive flooding in several areas in Luzon, particularly in Marikina City in Metro Manila, the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Cagayan Valley.
All Church missionaries were safe and accounted for. More than 400 families were affected.
Forty meetinghouses were used as evacuation centers in Marikina, Pasig and Taguig in Metropolitan Manila; Antipolo in Rizal; Tuguegarao in Cagayan; Bulacan; Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; and Ilagan, Isabela.
Currently, local Church leaders are providing assistance to those who have evacuated, especially those taking shelter in Church meetinghouses.
Members have pooled resources and have organized donation drives to provide food and clothing to affected families and individuals.
LDS C has also started mobilizing assistance to hard- hit areas.
Emergency response
One of LDS C’s core projects is to help relieve suffering following natural disasters. When local resources are strained or unavailable, LDS C provides short- term, life- sustaining resources, such as water, shelter, clothing, food medical and hygiene supplies.
After a thorough assessment, LDS C deploys the needed relief operation through the help of volunteers and partner agencies.