MEDIA RELEASE
September 28, 2009.
Caritas assessing flood damage in Philippines.
Caritas Australia’s local partners are commencing assessments after
tropical storm
Ketsana (Typhoon Ondoya) struck the main island of Luzon, triggering massive floods that
have left over 100 dead and displaced 337,000 people.
“Our local partner FCJ, an integrated community development centre based in Manila, has
begun to assess
the needs of those affected in the slums of Quezon city, Manila”, said
Caritas CEO Jack de Groot.
“With an estimated 80 percent of the city’s 12 million people
affected, the need for an
efficient and significant response is already apparent. However communication remains
difficult”, said Caritas Australia’s CEO Jack de Groot.
“With flood damage we can expect a need for swift assistance for the displaced and
immediate steps to combat an influx of water borne diseases. In the acute emergency
phase our local partners will be assessing where the greatest need is and focusing our
assistance there. Temporary shelter will be required and the threat of polluted water poses
great risk for those temporarily displaced”, said Caritas Australia’s CEO Mr de Groot.
“Caritas Australia is always focusing on the long term response and this will be foremost in
our thinking once immediate needs are met”, said Caritas Australia’s CEO Mr de Groot.
Caritas Australia is accepting donations to the Philippines Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
You can support the Caritas Australia Philippines Humanitarian Crisis
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For more information call Tim O’Connor 02) 8306 3444 or 0417 284 831
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development
28-32 O’Riordan St, Alexandria, NSW, Australia, 2015 Toll Free 1800 024 413 Facsimile 1800 887 895
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