Caritas caceres appeals for aid for families displaced by tropical cyclone trami in the Philippines

Caritas Caceres, a Catholic humanitarian organization in the Philippines, has issued an urgent call for assistance to support thousands of families displaced by Tropical Cyclone Trami, known locally as Typhoon Kristine.

The cyclone recently brought widespread flooding and devastation to the Bicol region, particularly affecting the Archdiocese of Caceres in Camarines Sur.

Fr. Marc Real, Executive Director of Caritas Caceres, reported that major roads leading to Naga City, the central hub of the region, remain submerged, hampering residents' movement and the delivery of relief aid.

“The roads to Naga City are still impassable, with two towns heavily flooded. Many parts of Naga City itself are still underwater, making it very difficult for us to carry out relief operations,” said Fr. Real in an interview with Philippines Radio Veritas.

More than 30 parishes and institutions within the Archdiocese have opened their doors to shelter over 3,000 evacuees displaced by the flooding and continuous rainfall.

These families' immediate needs include rice, canned goods, medicine, clean drinking water, clothing, and thermal or sleeping kits.

Donations, whether in-kind or cash, are essential to sustain relief efforts. In-kind donations can be dropped off at designated locations such as the Archbishop’s Residence and several key parishes in Naga City.

Cash donations can be made to Caritas Caceres (Naga), Inc. through Maybank, BDO, AUB, or e-wallet payment via GCash.

For more details, donors are encouraged to visit the Facebook pages of Caritas Caceres Naga or the Archdiocese of Caceres.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the Philippines, over 970,000 individuals, or approximately 190,000 families, have been displaced by Tropical Cyclone Trami in the province of Camarines Sur.

This disaster highlights the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather events in Southeast Asia, with Tropical Cyclone Trami being one of many storms impacting vulnerable regions across the continent.

Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of such storms, increasing the need for solidarity and international support.

Caritas Caceres emphasizes the importance of communal effort in times of disaster and calls on neighbors across Asia and beyond to help the affected communities in the Philippines.

Every donation, no matter the size, will contribute to rebuilding lives and providing much-needed relief to those affected by Cyclone Trami.