The Mayor of Derry has expressed his solidarity to the local Philippine community at a time when their country is experiencing the aftermath of one of the world’s biggest natural disasters.
At least 10,000 people are feared dead after the country was hit by Typhoon Haiyan. Hundreds of thousands more people have been displaced after the high winds and floodwaters destroyed their homes.
Derry Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly advised anyone experiencing difficulty in reaching their loved ones to get in touch with the Philippine Consulate in Dublin.
Mr Reilly said: At this extremely worrying time where communication in and out of the Philippines is severely restricted, I sympathise with the distress of those individuals living and working here who have family links and ties in their home country.
“In supporting the Filipino community in the North West, I encourage those who are experiencing difficulties in reaching their loved ones to get in touch with the Philippine Consulate in Dublin who are offering a support network and details of the correspondence needed for tracing or finding people, as well as updates on the relief efforts and worse affected areas.
“At this time my thought and prayers are with all with the estimated four and half million people who have been affected by this disaster worldwide and especially the portion of those who are a part of our communities here in the North West, many of which work in our Health Services.
“I have made contact his morning with Philippine Honorary Consul Mark Congdon, offering our services in helping them connect people; concerned individuals can get information by logging on http://philippineconsulate.ie.”
Worldwide fundraising efforts are well underway and Mayor Reilly encouraged people to support the joint campaign by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which is made up of 14 charity agencies including Oxfam and Save the Children, who are making combined efforts in order to get food, water and temporary shelter to victims of the devastation.
A number of individual local churches will also be carrying out local fundraising activities and Mayor Reily encouraged people to contact their local religious institution for details in different communities.
To make a donation to DEC Philippines Crisis Appeal visit http://www.dec.org.uk or call the 24 hour hotline pm 0370 6060 900.
Donations can be made over the counter at any high street bank or post office.
You can donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.
