Checking in on the Philippines

On behalf of Pope Francis, His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Sarah will visit some of the areas which were affected by typhoon Haiyan-Yolanda last November, in order to show the people of that place that the Holy Father is united with them in prayer and wishes to bring them some comfort, as they are now facing the task of reconstruction due to the ravages inflicted by natural disaster.  Cardinal Sarah also wishes to comfort and encourage all those currently involved in providing humanitarian aid within the region.

His Eminence will leave Rome tomorrow (January 26) and will return to Rome on January 31.  While he is in the Philippines, he will meet with the Filipino bishops who are currently attending meetings of their Episcopal Conference.  Cardinal Sarah will also meet with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, and he will visit the town of Tacloban which was the one most affected by the typhoon.

On behalf of the Holy Father, Cardinal Sarah will present the Vatican's commitment, through Cor Unum, to construct a new orphanage and a home for the elderly.  Among other things, the building will contain a small convent for the nuns who run the orphanage and care for the elderly, a chapel and a medical dispensary.

According to reports published this week by Caritas Philippines/Nassa, more than 5,500 people from the Visayas islands in central Philippines were killed by the typhoon.  In addition, there were 26 thousand wounded and nearly two thousand more are still missing.  In total, about 3.8 million people were displaced, belonging to more than 851,000 families.  About 12 million people in all suffered damages or losses for various reasons.  They are scattered across 574 municipalities and cities, and there are still fears of the onset of epidemics.

Immediately upon hearing the news of this devastation, the Holy Father asked Cor Unum to designate a first contribution of $150,000 for emergency relief efforts in support of assisting displaced persons.  These funds were in addition to other money which was also sent by parishes and Church organizations around the globe, as well as the efforts of Caritas and other aid agencies involved in national and diocesan charities.