URGENT CALL FOR HELP!

URGENT CALL FOR HELP!

June 2008

DISASTER: PANAY ISLAND

Dear Fellow Vincentians,
Typhoon Frank hit our country last June 19 and left thousands of families homeless in Panay island, in the country’s Visayas Region. It was reportedly the worst disaster that has ever struck the region. The SSVP National Council responded by sending financial assistance for the immediate basic needs of the victims in Iloilo, Roxas, Aklan and Antique, the 4 provinces in Panay island. Almost one thousand bags containing basic needs for immediate sustenance were distributed to poor families.
SSVP Australia quickly and generously responded by sending the financial assistance of AU$ 12,500 for the victims. Since many NGOs including several religious organizations and Government agencies have responded in giving relief assistance to the victims, SSVP Philippines plans to help with emergency shelter rehabilitation like materials for totally and partially damaged houses. Housing materials to be given are GI sheets, nails, wood and posts. The SSVP Council from the four provinces will be the ones to identify the beneficiaries with priority given to the poorest of the poor. The SSVP National Council of the Philippines will give an updated accomplishment report for this new project in due course.
As we continue our struggle in meeting the many needs of the poor under our care, we carry the cherished thought that you have always been with us with your prayers in solidarity with our poor. This gives us strength and inspiration. This offers hope and consolation to our poor brethren.
In the name of the SSVP Philippines and all the victims of this latest natural calamity.

Bro. Salvador G. Silverio, MD
National President

Video1  Video 2  Video3

May 2008

NARGIS STORM IN BURMA – EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA
HELP US HELP THEM!

As you know, Nargis cyclone has violently hit Burma some days ago. Provisional tolls are tremendous: 30,000 to 110,000 deaths, 230,000 disappeared and 1.5 million homeless.
A few days after, a terrible earthquake hit Sichuan Province in China, killing 30,000, with 200,000 missing and and 4.5 million homeless.

As always and everywhere in this situation, needs are huge and very urgent: food, water, medicines, clothes, etc. On a longer term basis, there will be needs of reconstruction, and to try to help affected people get back to normal life as soon as possible.

The political situation in Burma makes it difficult for international help to reach the victims from outside the country: the Society of St Vincent de Paul is present in Burma!
In China, even though SSVP is not present in the region, it is able to bring help through our Central Council of Hong Kong which has contacts with Caritas and the Church.

We have to use this strength… but without money, the Vincentians can’t do anything!

We officially ask the Vincentians of the world to get mobilized! Send your donations to Council General of the International Confederation of St Vincent de Paul:

We thank you in advance for your generosity and your prayers

Burma: Video1   Video2    Video3   Video4  Chine: Video1

Unfortunately this summer 2007 has been particularly terrific in some countries which have suffered serious floods as Bangladesh, India, Burkina Faso, or earthquakes, the most recently in Peru.

From the very first moment the Council General of the Confederation has launched a call to feed the “disaster” fund in order to help the damaged countries.