IOCC Responds to String of Disasters in Asia Pacific Region
October 1, 2009

Baltimore, Md. (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to a string of disasters that are affecting millions of people in the Asia Pacific region and have already taken hundreds of lives.

Residents push their makeshift rafts loaded with their belongings in the town of San Pedro, Laguna province south of Manila on September 30, 2009 as they scramble to leave their flooded houses in anticipation of another tropical storm. Terrified Philippine flood survivors fled their homes amid warnings that a looming typhoon may add to the devastation of a killer storm that affected over 2.2 million people. (photo credit: TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)

Damaging floods and mudslides caused by Typhoon Ketsana struck the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, causing hundreds of deaths and displacing thousands of families on September 26. Meanwhile, whole villages in Samoa have been devastated by a tsunami that was triggered by a massive 8.0 earthquake on September 29. A second earthquake measuring a magnitude 7.6 on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has killed hundreds and injured thousands, and caused significant damage.

Two other typhoons appear to be moving towards the Philippines later this week and significant aftershocks are being experienced in Indonesia.

IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is coordinating with our Orthodox and ecumenical partners to monitor and respond to the emerging needs.

“We pray for those who have perished, their families and those who have been affected by these disasters,” says IOCC Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou. “We are working with our partners to provide emergency relief and the long-term care that will be necessary to restore the many countries and communities that have been affected.”

You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Asia Pacific Disasters, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

IOCC, founded in 1992, has implemented over $300 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.

Media: Contact Amal Morcos at 410-243-9820 or (cell) 443-823-3489.

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