Special services this weekend for the Philippines

Special prayers and collections will be held at churches across Devon this Sunday as congregations respond to the call to help those affected by the devastating Philippines typhoon.

The typhoon, one of the strongest storms to ever hit land, has torn apart the lives of more than 11 million people in the Philippines who are now in urgent need of food, water and emergency shelter.

Within the first 24 hours of The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launching an appeal on Tuesday - including TV appeals fronted by presenters Myleene Klass and Kirsty Young - the total reached £13 million, but much more is desperately needed.

The DEC said its members, which include Christian Aid and the UK’s other leading aid agencies, were discovering destruction and need on a massive scale.

Devon’s Christian Aid regional coordinator Laura McAdam said: “We have experienced field staff who are saying they have never seen anything like it. Our Philippines country manager has reported back from Leyte island that there is almost 100% destruction in Tacloban with no accommodation or power, communications down and the water supply is affected. People are wandering the streets looking for any food they can find and the rain keeps on coming.

“We have assessment teams on the ground procuring supplies and working around the clock to establish supply chains in areas where transport is severely restricted.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from churches across the diocese. DEC members are doing all they can to get aid through but we need a huge injection of funds in order to do so."

Just £25 will provide water purification tablets for ten families for a month, £50 will feed a family for two weeks and £100 will provide emergency shelter and bedding for one family. We are urging the public to please do whatever they can.”

To make a donation to the DEC Philippines Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.
Stay up to date with developments in the Philippines, the emergency response and the DEC’s fundraising efforts on twitter or on Facebook.

At a bank:

• You can pay into any bank or building society, except Nationwide or Britannia
• Ask to pay into the 'DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal' account
• Most banks will accept the money you have collected for a DEC Appeal for a month or two after the Appeal launches
• Banks like you to sort your coins into separate plastic bags, which they will provide, before you hand in your money

At a Post Office:

You can pay your money into any Post Office ask to pay into the 'DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal'.