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Letter from the Philippines

October 2, 2009

By pwrdf

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Father Rex R. B. Reyes, Jr. is the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCCP) in the Philippines, a PWRDF partner and an ACT member.
Dear Friends,
This morning I feared that my flight home would be diverted. I thank God that the plane landed where it should. I am here now at my office and plan to spend the night here as we anticipate the super typhoon within the next 12 hours.
I found some of the staff still packing relief goods while some others have just arrived delivering the goods in the far reaches of Rizal province. The team that went was a combined group from the NCCP, Harris Memorial College, KASIMBAYAN, and some brothers and sisters from Korea Diakonia. Korea Diakonia did a lot of work in the last two days and we are very grateful. Some of the volunteers have gone home to secure their homes for whatever tomorrow will bring.
The initial reports I have heard in the last two hours are the following:
1. Our relief goods intended for those in isolated areas encountered some difficulty as they were blocked on the way by people equally in need. The relief goods are primarily food (rice and some canned goods) as the situation for food is desperate.

2. In those places where our team went, movement was hampered by mud but the local organizers conducted an orderly distribution. We are grateful for the organizers in the local areas.

3. Blankets, clothes, medicines, cooking utensils, water, tents will be necessities. Minnie Anne our executive in charge of relief and rehab has gone home for a much needed rest. Tomorrow, I hope to see the report on the detailed needs.

4. At this stage we are evacuating people to higher grounds in anticipation of tomorrow. Several places are still under water and mud and evacuation centers are not enough for the thousands of people headed there.

5. For now, the Episcopal Church has managed to provide for the needs of her member-victims. The United Church has launched her relief work and so has the United Methodist Church thru UMCOR. I am sure the other churches are doing their share given that all hands are needed considering the more than 3 million people severely affected.

6. For the NCCP relief work, our targets are the most vulnerable – those yet unreached by any form of relief.  They too are the face of Christ. I hope to hear also the reports from the regions and how our regional ecumenical councils and churches in the region are managing.

Northern Luzon will receive the brunt of the fury of the impending typhoon, especially those near the Pacific coast. We will provide you updates.
At this stage, we thank you most sincerely and deeply for reaching out to us. On behalf of these victims, thank you for your solid expressions of solidarity and compassion. We thank those who have started initiatives for fundraising. A senator has mentioned the idea of relaxing duties for relief goods. This is good news for the long term.
The days ahead will be days of selfless service and compassionate sharing. The days ahead will be yet another crucible of our capacity to endure and keep the hope alive for these victims.
It is edifying to see so many volunteers. I hope and pray they will remain strong and healthy in the weeks to come.
I certainly continue to plead for your prayers and support. Even as you remember us, please remember to include those other victims in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Indonesia, Samoa and Tonga.
In Christ is our peace. In Christ is our hope. In Christ is our repose.
(Rev.) REX RB REYES, JR.
General Secretary, NCCP 

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