It has been five days since the strongest storm to hit land in recorded history wreaked havoc in the central Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, produced wind speeds up to 315 km (195 mph) and storm surges (tsunami-like waves) up to 17 feet high.
Damage estimates change by the hour, but the latest say more than 11 million people were affected by the storm and as many as 10,000 are dead. Around 500,000 are now homeless. Ninety-five percent of the homes and buildings in Tacloban were destroyed or damaged.
I am now sitting in the Tokyo airport on my way to Nashville, Tenn., but my heart is still in the Philippines, where our Every Nation and Victory staff and volunteers are working around the clock receiving, processing and delivering relief goods. So far we have received, packaged and sent 10 tons of relief goods from Victory centers in metro Manila.
Thank you to all who have given, volunteered and prayed. Much more is needed. Many friends from all over the world have asked how they can help. Here’s some info:
- Info about how to give, volunteer or donate relief goods is available on the Victory Philippines website.
- Financial contributions can also be given through Every Nation North America.
- Trustworthy organizations we work with in the Philippines include Operation Blessing Philippines, Samaritan’s Purse and Habitat for Humanity Philippines.
If you live in the Philippines and want to help, we are still receiving and processing relief goods at Victory centers nationwide. Click here to find the Victory center nearest you. If you live anywhere else in the world, the best way you can help is to pray and give money. One hundred percent of the money will be used in our relief and rebuilding operations.
I heard Tuesday that more than 60 Victory church members in our Roxas City church have lost everything—homes, clothes, vehicles, computers. I am certain many of our Victory members in Tacloban also lost everything, but I have not seen the list of names yet. Anything you send would be a huge help for these families.
Please continue to pray, volunteer and give. Thanks.
Steve Murrell and his wife, Deborah, are the founding pastors of Victory Manila, a church that meets in 15 locations in metro Manila and has planted churches in 60 Philippine cities and 20 nations.
