11/11/2013 4:25 PM
FAQ V2 – Typhoon Haiyan Appeal www.caritas.org.au/typhoon-haiyan
Background
Philippines:
Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) made its first landfall at 4:40 AM on
November 8 in Guiuan, The typhoon reached category five status with sustained winds
over 280kph and gusts of over 330kph and waves were 10m high. 15 inches of rain was
recorded. Haiyan is the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall and has
caused devastating effects.
Authorities have reported the death toll could reach into the tens of thousands following
the devastating Typhoon.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Philippines reports
approximately 9.5 million people affected over 9 regions with 3 million people located
within the direct path. Media sources claim that this is the largest typhoon in the world
this year.
The government has officially welcomed international assistance. The hardest-hit areas
have no water, no food, no electricity or other supplies.
Vietnam:
Typhoon Haiyan weakened as it continued to move away from the Philippines. Landfall
is projected as a Tropical Storm in north-eastern Vietnam, and is projected to turn into a
Tropical Depression as it veers northeast and enters China.
More than 600,000 people have been evacuated amid fears of flooding and damaging
winds as a weakened Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall on the northeast coast of
Vietnam.
The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said the typhoon "is currently making
landfall'' about 160km/h east south-east of the capital Hanoi. The typhoon was has
reduced slightly with sustained winds of 120km/h and gusts of 150km/h. Still expected
to impact on Vietnam’s population
Does Caritas Australia have an appeal open for the Typhoon?
Yes, Caritas Australia has launched a specific appeal to respond to the communities
and will be going through the dioceses (and schools). The Caritas network has
programs across the region responding to the needs of these communities.
(You can donate through) www.caritas.org.au/typhoon-haiyan
What is Caritas doing to respond to the need?
Philippines:
Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, is
responding through our partners on the ground in the Philippines to the devastating
aftermath of the super Typhoon Haiyan.
So far Caritas, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world has committed
more than $1 million to relief efforts through its member organisaitons in support of
more than 20,000 families (100,000 people+). Caritas Australia has pledged $100,000
so far.
Caritas teams are currently on the ground in the Philippines assessing needs.
On the ground response:

Emergency Shelter (tarpaulins, simple building materials), Water supply (water
tanks, treatment, trucking), Water Sanitation and Hygiene kits, food and non-food
items (blankets, mats etc)

Up to 20,000 tarpaulins are being forwarded for emergency use, along with 1
million water purification tablets to help 16,000 families.

Another 18,000 emergency shelter supply kits, 5,000 water, sanitation and
hygiene kits, and 5,000 non-food item kits are also being delivered.

Our response teams are travelling to many of the areas hardest hit to see what
people need and how we can help them. They are travelling to Ormoc, Tacloban,
Palo and southern Samar. A second team will travel to Panay Island on Tuesday
for Capiz and Iloilo provinces.
Vietnam:
Caritas is in touch with the local partners/district authorities and the Task forces who are
working on a war footing to reduce the impact.
Caritas is an active member of the national Disaster Management INGO and Govt
working group and will coordinate with local government and the INGOs/NGOs to
determine any response needs after the landfall.
What will happen to our long term community development projects in the
region?
Caritas Australia and our international partners will continue where possible to deliver
our long-term community development projects in the Philippines.
Caritas Australia runs a long-term community development program in the Masbate
Diocese, in the Philippines, which was in the typhoon’s path. The Caritas network began
preparations on Thursday to mitigate the potential disastrous impacts on communities in
which we work.
Our partners in Masbate and across the Philippines have worked with communities to
make preparations for the extreme weather, especially those who live near the
seashore.
With an established presence in communities, the Caritas network is well placed to
respond to shelter, food and water insecurity as and when they arise.
Caritas Australia and our partners will remain in these communities long after the crisis
is removed from the front pages of our papers.
Key challenges
Telecommunications and logistics are the major challenges which means there is still a
lack of information from key hard-hit areas; technicians from major telecommunications
companies are currently working on restoring the network including Telecoms Sans
Frontiere.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is initially reporting an
estimated total of 618,175 people currently displaced with 435,701 inside 1,458
evacuation centres; though this number is likely seriously underreported. Many people
are assumed to be staying in open areas without shelter. These numbers are expected
to increase as more information becomes available.
The islands of Leyte and Samar have severe damage according to UN Disaster
Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams who conducted aerial assessments.
UNDAC teams described destruction on the scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Tacloban City, where much information is already coming out, had a tidal surge of 3
meters. There is no electricity, water or food and rioting and looting are reported across
the city. While the airport terminal and refuelling stations are completely destroyed, a
military aircraft landed yesterday bringing supplies, but was not able to leave due
remaining debris and bodies on the runway. It has now been cleared. Thought we
have more information about the devastation in Tacloban than from other areas, the
OFDA representative reported today from Leyte that the entire path going north across
the island is equally as devastated, including Ormoc City which is on the western side of
the island away from the direct initial landfall hit to Leyte. The OFDA representative
expressed concern that all aid was being directed to Tacloban when there are equally
as devastated locales throughout the affected areas.
Where can I find more information?
Please visit the Caritas Australia website (www.caritas.org.au/typhoon-haiyan)
Does Caritas support militia groups?
Caritas Australia and the Caritas Network do not support any armed combatants or
militia. All aid and development programs funded through the Caritas network are
provided to the communities in need by church, non government and government
bodies.