Typhoon Haiyan, most powerful ever in the Philippines, causes great suffering

Dr. Lyon calls for prayers and funds to assist our Wesleyan brothers and sisters in the Philippines. (Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund)

On Friday, November 8, with sustained winds of 195 mph and gusts as strong as 235 mph, Typhoon Haiyan was the second-strongest cyclone or hurricane to hit land anywhere in recorded history when it struck the Philippines. Many of the hardest-hit areas are still unable to communicate with the outside. The city of Tacloban (population 220,000) has unconfirmed estimates from government officials of over 10,000 deaths due to storm surges and massive waves filling much of the city to the second story level. On Leyte Island, where Tacloban is, Red Cross staffers also report deaths in the thousands, and hundreds more on neighboring islands in the central Philippines.

Large ships were flung ashore. Neighborhoods near the ocean are simply gone. Untold thousands of homes were smashed, flooded or lost their roofs. In the wake of the storm, official estimates suggest that 9.5 million people are affected, with 600,000 displaced from their homes. Many of the survivors are desperately searching for food and water, and rampant looting is taking place in urban areas.

The government states that the core of the storm hit 36 provinces and 270 cities and towns in central Philippines. Rescue and relief efforts are just beginning, but many roads are still impassable, blocked by debris. The Philippines is prone to be hit by typhoons, but this one was the equivalent of an exceptionally strong category 5 hurricane. It was so powerful that the 10-13 foot storm surge and 2-story-high waves coming onshore in some areas resembled a great tsunami and it caused that degree of destruction.

Some of the areas hardest hit, but out of contact so far, include northern Cebu, the island of Panay, and parts of Palawan and Mindoro.

Not only have hundreds of thousands lost their homes and have little or no food available, but businesses and vast agricultural resources have been destroyed, removing the livelihood of many people indefinitely.

The Wesleyan Church has had a strong presence in the Philippines since before WWII. Since 1972, The Wesleyan Church of the Philippines has been a dynamic and growing General Conference, with several hundred churches throughout the Philippines. Currently the General Superintendent there is Dr. Albert Patacsil.

General Superintendent Patacsil indicates that we have some churches and other ministries in the affected areas, but reports are very incomplete as some churches are out of contact. His latest update stated that:

• 1. We have no reports of Wesleyans losing their lives at this time.
• 2. Roofs of several buildings and the tabernacle at Visayan Bible College on the island of Cebu were damaged. Pastors’ families and other members suffered damage to homes in Cebu.
• 3. In the island of Mindoro where the source of income is primarily agricultural, there was great infrastructural damage to crops, including fruit trees. World Hope International ministries to children are also located in Mindoro. All of the children are alive, but there is no food available for them.
• 4. The most severe losses are on the island of Leyte, but loss of communication has made it impossible to contact our brethren there as yet.

Wesleyan churches in the Bicol area are being used as evacuation centers. Our church in Guinobatan became a refuge for community people. The Wesleyan church in Legaspi is a distribution centre for relief supplies. Further updates will be posted as they are known.

The Wesleyan Church of North America has communicated to Dr. Patacsil that we stand with them, not only in prayer, but in financial assistance, as well. The Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund is accepting donations and sent $10,000 immediately, with more to follow as churches and individuals respond to this relief appeal through the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund.