Eight Members Remain Missing in Wake of Typhoon Bopha
Article Highlights
- More than 310,000 people from 26 provinces are now homeless, living in shelters.
- All missionaries are safe and accounted for, and local Church leaders are still trying to locate eight members who were reported missing.
- Local leaders are assessing needs and assisting with basic relief supplies.
Typhoon Bopha, a category four hurricane, hit the southern Philippine island of Mindano on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. There have been 540 confirmed deaths and reports of at least 400 missing people, with the death toll rising as rescuers continue to look through mud and rubble, according to a Church Welfare report.
More than 310,000 people from 26 provinces lost their homes and are now in overcrowded shelters. Most of the more heavily impacted areas are remote, which has slowed recovery efforts, the report said. Several affected areas are still without water and power.
All missionaries are safe and accounted for; local Church leaders are still trying to locate eight members who were reported missing. In addition, several Church buildings sustained minor damage from wind and floods and many member homes were damaged or destroyed, according to the report.
Several Church buildings in the affected area are being used as shelters for members and others, and local leaders are continuing to assess need
