As the Philippines recover from two December typhoons that killed more than 200 people and forced more than 200,000 people out of their homes, the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund is contributing to relief efforts coordinated by Free Methodists in the Philippines.
“Once again, the Philippines was hit by a major disaster. The Free Methodist Church and its leaders there have demonstrated resilience, love, courage and wisdom in aiding those devastated,” Free Methodist Church – USA Bishop Matthew Thomas said. “Please pray and give as the Lord leads you to help them in their heroic, gospel living. Thank you.”
According to government data, the first typhoon — known locally as Urduja and internationally as Kai-Tak — killed 47 people and affected 1.8 million people.
“The standing floodwaters affected the major source of food, causing many families to go hungry,” Philippine Bishop Alan Bacus said.
The second typhoon — known locally as Vinta and internationally as Tembin — killed 164 people, and nearly 113,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, according to government data. Bacus said weeklong rains contributed to flooded waterways in Cagayan de Oro, a heavily populated urban area.
With assistance from the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund, Philippine Free Methodists are organizing efforts to help Free Methodist Church members and others recovering from the typhoons — especially in areas where food is scarce.
“The Philippine General Conference of the Free Methodist Church intends to extend food and medicine assistance to 250 badly affected families in Cagayan de Oro, 50 families in Surigao Sur and another 200 families in Biliran and Leyte,” Bacus said.
The Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund is the first line of rapid response to aid Free Methodists affected by natural disasters, famine and persecution. It is a means for the U.S. church to provide immediate, focused assistance through our church’s local, international and missions infrastructure.
Give at fmcusa.org/bfund or send donations to Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund, 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214.
