Scottish Catholic Observer

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has committed £250,000 in urgent emergency aid to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan that has devastated the Philippines.

The Scottish aid charity thanked Scots for their incredible response in donating nearly £200,000 in just a few days but urged people to continue giving as the needs of the Filipino people remain great.

The £250,000 will ensure SCIAF’s partners on the ground, Caritas Philippines and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), can immediately deliver clean water, food, temporary shelters, hygiene kits and medicine to people in many of the worst affected areas. Caritas Philippines has been able to reach survivors since last Sunday, working through its diocesan staff. Caritas Philippines is focusing its activities in Palo, Jaro, Capiz and Cebu.

Lorraine Currie, SCIAF’s head of international programmes, said the work of SCIAF’s partners is vital.

“The Filipino people need a huge level of support over the coming days, weeks and months so they can recover from this terrifying disaster,” she said. “Our partners on the ground are working hard to get aid to as many people as possible. The money SCIAF is committing today will help to provide clean water, food, shelter, hygiene kits, clothes and medicine to thousands of people in some of the worst affected areas.”

She also said the ‘SCIAF is extremely grateful to the Scottish public for their swift and generous response to this emergency’ but ‘the situation on the ground will remain extremely difficult for some time to come.’

The work done by SCIAF’s partners is exemplified by Sr Anne Healy who is in the southern province of Cebu, one of the worst affected regions, helping Caritas to deliver food to 3000 people, many of them children.

“It’s a desperate situation,” Sr Healy said. “Local people are donating clothes to people who lost everything, so that allows us to focus on getting food. Because of shortages the price of food has gone up so many people can’t afford to buy it. We have been able to buy rice and other products at local markets and distribute it to people.”

—To donate to the SCIAF appeal visit www.sciaf.org.uk/typhoon or call 0141 354 5555.