Development and Peace and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announce joint appeal for the Philippines

November 11, 2013 — MONTREAL — Development and Peace and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) have launched a joint appeal for relief efforts in response to Typhoon Haiyan, which swept away villages and destroyed many communities in the Philippines last Friday.

Development and Peace is working with Caritas Philippines-NASSA, as well as other members of the Caritas network, to respond to this crisis.

In a letter addressed to the Bishops of Canada, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the CCCB, asked that a special national collection take place before December 9^th, the deadline for donations to be matched by the Government of Canada.

“Our hearts go out to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, particularly those of us who have many Filipino faithful in our dioceses. In his weekly Angelus Prayer at the Vatican this past Sunday, Pope Francis invited us to pray publicly and privately for the many who have lost their lives or have been affected by this terrible tragedy and to come to their assistance,” said Most Reverend Durocher in his letter.

The full extent of the damage caused by the typhoon is still unknown but needs are expected to grow as more information becomes available.

“We are presently supporting the distribution of necessities, the basics that people need to survive. There is no doubt, however, that in the face of such a calamity, we will need to provide long-term support to communities in their efforts to rebuild, which is really our strength,” said Michael Casey, Executive Director of Development and Peace.

“We are grateful for the support of the CCCB in this appeal and the generosity of Canadian Catholics across the country towards their brothers and sisters in the Philippines,” he added.

Donations made to Development and Peace for relief efforts are eligible for the matching fund program announced by the Canadian government. Donations will be matched until December 9^th, 2013.

Donations can be made by telephone (1 888 664-3387), online at www.devp.org or by sending a cheque made out to Development and Peace and indicating Philippines Typhoon to:

Development and Peace
1425 René-Lévesque Blvd. West. 3rd Floor
Montreal  QC  H3G 1T7