Caritas Australia has launched an urgent appeal to support communities in the Philippines and Vietnam following a series of catastrophic weather events and natural disasters.
Super Typhoon Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, has just hit the region with over one million people now evacuated from their homes in the Philippines.
In just two months, the region has endured seven major emergencies, including typhoons, monsoons, flooding, and earthquakes, leaving widespread destruction and loss of life.
In recent days Typhoon Kalmaegi tore through the Philippines, where it was known as Typhoon Tino, killing at least 188 people and displacing more than 560,000. Upon arriving in Vietnam, the same typhoon claimed 5 lives, damaging thousands of homes and leading to the evacuation of 537,000 people.
In the past few weeks flooding in Vietnam, as well as monsoons, typhoons and earthquakes in the Philippines have led to hundreds of dead, thousands missing and hundreds of thousands of people displaced.
Caritas Australia, through its local partners, is providing life-saving assistance, including food, clean water, hygiene kits, emergency shelter, and longer-term recovery support.
Sally Thomas, Humanitarian Manager at Caritas Australia, said: "The scale and frequency of these disasters are staggering. Families have lost everything – homes, crops, and loved ones – and urgently need our help.”
“Our local partners are on the ground delivering critical aid, but the need is immense. Every donation will help provide life-saving support and give hope to communities facing unimaginable hardship."
Caritas Australia is calling on Australians to stand in solidarity with those affected and help provide urgent relief.
To support Caritas Australia’s Asia Storms Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/asia-storms or call 1800 024 413 toll free.
ENDS
Media contact: Tara Harvey 0484 002 021 tara.harvey@caritas.org.au or caritasmedia@caritas.org.au
