Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) during the Angelus at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday.
“I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and displaced,” the Pope said, expressing solidarity with Filipinos affected by the typhoon. “I express my closeness to the people of the Philippines, who have been hit by a violent typhoon.”
Typhoon Tino recently ravaged the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, killing 224 people, injuring 526, and leaving 109 missing. The disaster affected 946,660 families or 3,330,315 individuals across eight regions.
Meanwhile, Caritas Philippines launched a nationwide appeal for aid, urging dioceses and the public to donate for disaster response.
“Thousands of families have lost their homes and livelihoods due to Typhoon Tino. Your kindness can help them rebuild their lives. Together, let us be a source of hope and healing,” the organization said.
Donations can be sent via Caritas Philippines bank accounts at ΒΡΙ (4951-007116/4951-007108), Metrobank (632-7-632028586), or BDO (004508034192).
Caritas Philippines, along with Cebu Caritas Inc. and Caritas Germany, conducted an initial assessment of the most affected areas in Cebu. They highlighted urgent needs, including:
- Water for drinking and cleaning
- Food packs
- Household essentials
- Sleeping kits
- Temporary shelter materials
- Solar lights
- Water containers
- Sanitation and hygiene kits
- Medicines
“Let us continue to extend our solidarity and compassion to the families affected by Typhoon Tino. Together, through our collective efforts and generosity, we can help them rebuild their homes and bring hope in the midst of devastation,” Caritas Philippines added.