Catholic Church, NASSA/ Caritas PH launch Typhoon Ruby solidarity appeal

MANILA, Dec. 7 — The Catholic Church, through its social action arm NASSA/Caritas Philippines, launched Saturday a Solidarity Appeal to 85 dioceses nationwide aimed at raising funds for the families affected by Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit).

In the letter sent to all 85 bishops nationwide, NASSA/Caritas Philippine National Director Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, said the church has started “releasing Alay Kapwa funds to finance the prepositioning of goods and emergency relief operation of the dioceses.”

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Catholic chruch in the Philippines launch emergency appeal for solidarity to 85 dioceses nationwide aimed at raising funds for the families affected by Typhoon Ruby. Pre-positioning relief goods. Photo credit: NASSA.

Archbishop Tirona said the emergency funds from the Alay Kapwa may not be enough considering the vast scope of the typhoon. Thus, he is calling everyone to revive the spirit of giving during this time of calamity.

“To the unaffected Dioceses, we call on you to organize relief operations to the affected Dioceses nearest you or you may choose to send your donations to the Alay Kapwa account for the relief operations of the Catholic Church network,” Tirona appealed.

NASSA/Caritas Philippines has initially released P2-million from the church’s Lenten evangelization and fundraising program also known as Alay Kapwa and other local and non-Caritas Internationalis funds for the purchase of relief goods, which were now pre-positioned in possible typhoon-hit areas.

It has been coordinated as well with the affected dioceses, concerned government agencies and Caritas Internationalis member organizations for pre-emptive measures and relief operations.

Donations for the relief operations of the Catholic Church can be deposited through the following bank account:

Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands Acct. Name: CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc. Acct. Number: 4951-0071-08

Latest data from the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) showed that an estimated number of 5.36 million families or a total of 50.67 million individuals across seven regions in the country may be affected by Typhoon “Ruby”.

The Catholic Church’s humanitarian arm also initiated Emergency Appeals 23-2013 and 12-2014 to Caritas Internationalis members worldwide to support the emergency relief efforts, and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of “Yolanda”-battered areas.

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