An Unprecedented Level of Destruction UPDATE:  Saturday, November 9th, 2013, 6:30pm PHT Manila, Philippines: The Philippine Field Office (PFO) Disaster Response Rapid Assessment Team (DRRAT) has been meeting since early morning hours on Saturday, reviewing the aftermath of the Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), reported to be the fourth strongest typhoon in world history, and the second strongest to ever make landfall. Communications are difficult as the infrastructure has been significantly damaged in the area hit hardest by the typhoon. Current Action:

• Meetings have been held via Skype between the PFO and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries – Headquarters.
• Rapid assessment teams have been deployed and are enroute from neighboring districts.
• Heart-to-Heart International is partnering with the local Nazarene Disaster Response and has made arrangements with FedEx for 6 pallets of relief supplies to be flown to the Philippines  as soon as logistics are in order for their arrival.  Should be arranged Monday.
• Philippine Field Office is working around the clock with our local district superintendents, facilitating the local churches response.

Summary of area impacted:

• 2 districts have been hit the hardest, they are:  Eastern Visayas, and Panay,  4 others were impacted: Bicol, Central Visayas, Negros, and Southern Tagalog.
• We have over 4,400 Nazarene members on the two hardest hit districts according to 2013 statistics.

Reports received by District: Bicol

• DS Reports no large scale damage.  Local pastors are reporting minor damage only.

Central Visayas

• DS Reports that communications are limited, but no significant damage.

Eastern Visayas (Samar & Leyte) *** Hardest Hit Area

• Several Nazarenes were in an evacuation center.  Reports are that they had to evacuate the center due to a rising storm surge. No updates on the second evacuation.
• Not able to establish communications
• Tacloban City (Province of Leyte) storm surge has flooded the town to a depth of 3 meters (10 feet).

Negros

• No significant damage reported.

Panay  *** Hardest Hit Area

• DS.   Houses have been completely wiped out.  DS is on his bicycle trying to visit churches and families in the area this morning.  Motorized travel is impossible due to downed trees and powerlines.
• Tiwi Church of the Nazarene and gym beside it were destroyed.
• Iloilo City did not sustain significant damage.
• Kalubihan’s Church parsonage sustained damage
• Culasi Church of the Nazarene, is now housing 15-20 Nazarene Families evacuated from the coastal zone.
• Local Nazarene Churches are now serving as displaced persons shelters, cooking food and providing a place to sleep.

Southern Tagalog

• No Significant Damage in he northern areas.

  

• No reports received yet from Mindoro Island.

How You Can Partner

• Of course, first and foremost, prayer!  We have many Nazarenes who are as of yet, unaccounted for.
• Continue to check back to this site frequently for updates and identified specific needs and answers to prayer!
• Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has already committed funds for relief.  Further donations are needed.

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