Zamboanga (AsiaNews) - "The flooding in northern Mindanao, which cost more than 1400 lives, has helped Filipinos rediscover the importance of Christmas, prayer and gratitude. In the parishes of the island, rich and poor have donated food, clothes and money to be sent to the various centers for refugees in Cagayan de Oro and Illigan City. On Christmas Eve children and young people in refugee camps sung for the devastated city, bringing a sign of hope and joy to those who like them have lost everything. "This is what, Fr Giulio Mariani, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Zamboanga tells AsiaNews.
He stresses that where no help has arrived so far, individuals have organized collections of clean water, food and medicine. "To help the flood victims - he says - the population has also saved on lights, decorations and fireworks. The pastors have asked everyone, especially the younger ones not to buy fireworks, but to light a candle for the victims and to make donations for the survivors. "
Since the passage of Typhoon Washi last December 16, many villages remain isolated and there are more than 700 thousand people hosted in temporary shelters. The Coast Guard continues search for missing at sea in the coming days and warned that the death toll could rise, surpassing the 1400 deaths. Today, the government has launched a new weather warning for the islands of Mindanao, Luzon and the Visayas archipelago. (Sc)
Mindanao: outpouring of solidarity for flood victims
To help the survivors, the people have given up decorations and fireworks. In rich and poor parishes donations of food, clothing and money for over 700 thousand displaced. Death toll now stands at 1400.
