Pope sends relief aid to typhoon-affected Philippines

Pope Francis has sent US$114,000 as relief aid to the Philippines that faced a super typhoon last December.

The fund will be used for the relief operation for the affected people, the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said in a press note in December.

Locally known, the tropical cyclone Odette (international name: Rai) claimed more than 400 people. According to the UN sources, it affected more than eight million people in 11 regions with extensive material damage.

"In collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, this sum will be sent to the local Church and destined for the dioceses most affected by the disaster to be used in works of assistance," the Dicastery statement read.

"It is intended to be an immediate expression of the Holy Father's feeling of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected…" it added.

As of January 18, the European Union and its member States have allocated and delivered rapidly Euro 16.2 million with humanitarian aid to the Philippines in a separate development. This funding will cover mainly immediate needs by providing food, drinking water, shelter and other urgently needed household items.

The Holy Father has also decided to donate 100,000 euro for "the groups of migrants" who are stranded between Poland and Belarus and in aid to Caritas Polska that works with the affected people "on the border between the two countries."