Caritas PH calls on gov’t to seek int’l help

Caritas PH calls on gov’t to seek int’l help

Rescuers evacuate local residents by boat from flooded areas in Solana, Cagayan on November 14, 2020. FRANCIS JORQUE/CAGAYAN PIO

By CBCP News

November 14, 2020

Manila, Philippines

The Catholic Church’s social action arm urged the Duterte government to seek foreign help as widespread flooding inundated several parts of the country.

Caritas Philippines said the devastation caused by the two recent typhoons requires help from the international community.

“We urge our government to seek help from the international community now. It is clear that we cannot do this alone,” said Fr. Antonio Labiao, Caritas’ executive director.

“It is imperative that we leave no one behind. Let us all help each other. Let us save everyone. Every second counts. Every life matters,” he said.

Typhoon Ulysses caused massive flooding in various parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila and Cagayan, leaving at least 32 dead following its landfall on Nov. 11.

The storm battered areas still reeling from the Super Typhoon Rolly, the world’s strongest typhoon so far this year that claimed 25 lives and destroyed thousands of homes on Nov. 1.

The typhoons struck as the Philippines continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

“The nation is in quandary,” Labiao said.

In Cagayan, he said that many people are “crying out for help”.

He said that the Church, especially the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao is mobilizing all its resources to reach Cagayan Valley soonest.

But the urgency of the situation requires the help of everyone to reach hundreds of thousands of people affected by the recent typhoons, according to him.

“We cannot do this without everyone’s help. All stakeholders need to be on board,” he added.

“Let us all help each other. Let us save everyone. Every second counts. Every life matters,” Labiao also said.

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