China quake survivors face acute shortages

Tens of thousands of homeless survivors of China’s devastating quake are living in makeshift tents or on the streets, facing shortages of food and supplies as well as an uncertain future. Saturday’s disaster has left at least 193 dead, 25 missing and more than 12,000 injured, and forced the evacuation of some 245,000 people in [...]

Typhoon Bopha: Philippines storm toll passes 1,000

The number of people killed after Typhoon Bopha struck the southern Philippines has risen to more than 1,000, officials say. With nearly 850 people still missing, the toll is likely to rise further, Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos said. The storm struck the Philippines on 4 December, with the southern island of Mindanao worst affected. [...]

UN calls for $65m more in disaster aid

The United Nations said yesterday it needs to raise an additional US$65 million for victims of Typhoon Bopha which devastated parts of the southeast of the country last week. Luisa Carvalho, UN resident coordinator in Manila, said an initial $35.5m had been requested to support relief and rehabilitation but that the extra funding was needed [...]

Bopha leaves a trail of desolation and death in Mindanao

Fallen trees and electric pylons greeted me as I entered Mawab in the Compostela Valley on Wednesday, the day after Typhoon Bopha ravaged most of the province, leaving hundreds of people dead and hundreds more missing. Roofs were torn from houses, and the gymnasium, which was supposed to serve as an evacuation shelter for calamity [...]

Not God’s will

I don’t know about you, but I’m not standing anywhere near Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo these days. Recently, reacting to the horrific news reports about hundreds dead in the wake of the “visit” of Typhoon “Pablo” to our shores, the good bishop commented: “Ewan  ko  lang  kung  yan  ay  coincidence  lang  o  dahil  nga  [...]

Mindanao dioceses appeal for aid

Catholic dioceses in eastern Mindanao have appealed for help in getting relief to thousands of families displaced by typhoon Pablo. Authorities said more than 30,000 residents have fled their homes in Surigao del Sur, which has been placed in a state of calamity. Fr. Antonio Galela, Diocese of Tandag’s social action director, said the victims [...]

Philippines hopes for survivors as strongest typhoon kills 325

Dozens of soldiers and rescue workers pulled out bodies from mud-drenched debris after the strongest typhoon this year killed at least 325 people in the southern Philippines, with hundreds still missing. Hundreds of residents left homeless in Compostela Valley, the worst hit province decimated by flash flooding and destructive winds, were being evacuated by trucks [...]

Bopha kills at least 200, hundreds missing

More than 200 people have been reported dead and at least 200 others remain missing as heavy rain and strong winds brought by Typhoon Bopha ravaged much of the southern Philippines today. The death toll is expected to rise as local governments and military officials report landslides and flashfloods, said Benito Ramos, executive director of the [...]

Thousands flee typhoon in Mindanao

Thousands of people fled their homes as Typhoon Bopha made landfall in the southern Philippines today. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that as of this morning total, local time, 8,283 families or 41,608 individuals in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions had fled to evacuation centers. Schools and businesses were closed [...]

Thousands flee typhoon in Mindanao

Thousands of people fled their homes as Typhoon Bopha made landfall in the southern Philippines today. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that as of this morning total, local time, 8,283 families or 41,608 individuals in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions had fled to evacuation centers. Schools and businesses [...]

Residents describe terrifying earthquake

For the residents of Thebeikkyin village in Myanmar’s northern Sagaing Division, Sunday morning was the most frightening moment of their lives. At 7:42 a.m., this small community was hit with a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that destroyed 120 houses here and many more in the area as it rattled villages on the east and western banks [...]

Filipinos happy with disaster response

Filipinos have given the government a high pass mark for disaster preparedness, according to a new survey. In a country that suffers regular tropical storms and flooding, particularly in recent years, pollster Pulse Asia found that citizens gave the administration of President Benigno Aquino a healthy 85 percent, or very good, for preparedness and 80 [...]

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