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Typhoon Megi left a trail of destruction in the northern Philippines before gathering strength and heading towards China. Officials there said at least 200,000 people remained homeless with the cost to infrastructure estimated to have caused more than US$100 million in damages. The storm is described as the worst for many years. Taiwan's central government has mobilized 31,610 soldiers nationwide to be on alert as Typhoon Megi moves near the island on its way to China. In Southeast China hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal areas, disaster relief authorities said on Thursday. Megi is forecast to make landfall on the east coast in Guangdong Province around Saturday, according to the Fujian Provincial Meteorological Department. Pray: that the thousands made homeless and injured by this typhoon would quickly receive exactly what is needed. (Ps.10:14)
Philippines authorities say they are struggling to get food and supplies to thousands of people who remain trapped by flood waters days after back-to back typhoons pounded the nation. Officials say almost three million people were affected by the storms, most of them concentrated in three northern provinces. In parts of Pampanga on Monday, boats provided the only means of transportation. ‘You don't see any land here, you don't see any more roads.’ Officials say the two typhoons, Nesat and Nalgae, killed 58 people and left at least 28 others missing. They say about 360,000 people are still housed in evacuation centres or stranded in flooded areas. Also, Thailand has had the worst floods in five decades. This year's monsoon season has already left more than 200 people dead and affected some two million others. The United Nations is calling on governments in Asia to spend more on disaster risk reduction. Several major dams are near their breaking point, with more torrential rain forecast in the coming weeks.
Pray: for God in His mercy to enable NGOs and governments to meet the present and imminent needs of the people. (2.Sa.22:7)
A missionary within the area writes, ‘A blessed 2012 to all of you! May the Lord’s favour shine on you this coming year. Please remember the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, north Mindanao, as thousands have spent Christmas and New Year in evacuation centres after the damage done by Typhoon Washi. First-hand reports ask for prayer for the emergency workers, especially those who are ministering in trauma care. The people are still traumatised by the sudden onslaught of the typhoon. Many more trained counsellors are still needed apart from actual relief work and supplies. The other issue is the threat of viral infections in the overcrowded evacuation centres. The government of Iligan City has already sent home the evacuees to be managed and cared for by their home villages because of this threat. There are still many more stuck in the evacuation centres with no place to go.'
Pray: for the many Christians caught up in this disaster to know God's provision and enabling to reach out with His love to their neighbours. (Ps.23:4)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2011/12/2011122752635220496.html
Benigno Aquino III, the newly-installed president of the Philippines, won the office by the largest plurality in the nation's history. Perceived as a lacklustre senator for years, the son of the nation's two icons of democracy now has Filipinos believing that he may just be able to work miracles. Two of Aquino's most popular decisions to date have been his appointments to the embattled justice department and the previously unimpressive peace adviser's office. As well as sending feelers out to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the communists, Teresita Deles, the new presidential peace adviser, has also sat down with the media to outline the government's plan for building a lasting peace. Such transparency - which contrasts sharply with the previous administration's preference for keeping its cards close to its chest - has made many in the Philippines feel part of the process and opened the door to constructive discussion. Pray: that the new government will put God at the centre and seek peace and reconciliation. (Job.21:22) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/07/201072163220859727.html
The Philippine government has reached a framework peace agreement with the country's largest Muslim rebel group, President Benigno Aquino says. The deal follows long negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end a 40-year conflict that has cost more than 120,000 lives.The agreement provides for a new autonomous region in the south, on the islsnd of Mindanao where Muslims are a majority in an otherwise mainly Catholic country. The MILF is ‘very happy’ with the deal, a spokesman was quoted as saying. The agreement was reached after talks in Malaysia and is expected to be signed formally on 15 October in the Philippine capital, Manila. A copy of the framework deal says the parties commit to reaching a ‘comprehensive deal’ by the end of the year. ‘This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao,’ President Aquino said in a speech to announce the deal, referring to the main southern region.
Pray: that this new peace deal will succeed so that Muslims and Catholics will be able to live together in peace. (Ps.34:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19860907
Flooding in the southern Philippines last Friday was caused by tropical storm Washi which dropped a month's worth of rain in 24 hours. Since then aid agencies have delivered body bags, food, water and medicine to over-crowded evacuation centres as officials dig temporary mass graves for bodies that are already in advanced decomposition. The country is in a state of national calamity. Most of the damage was in the southern port cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Officials report a shortage of water and food for almost 50,000 homeless people. About 143,000 people were affected in 13 southern and central provinces.
Pray: for God to work through Aid agencies, for Christians to know God's peace and to demonstrate Christ’s love to suffering neighbours.
Fresh fighting is reported as troops in the Philippines have surrounded six villages in the south of the country where hundreds of fighters linked to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are holding at least 170 hostages.Six military tanks went into the area. 'The standoff began a day earlier after MNLF fighters marched into Zamboanga city to raise their flag at a city hall', military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said. At least six people, including a naval soldier, were killed when the Philippine Navy tried to block the rebels and about 220 civilians were initially taken hostage by the fighters, military officials said after the pre-dawn attack. Zagala said the hostages were being used as a ‘human shield’ by up to 300 MNLF fighters.
Pray: for a breakthrough that will bring a resolution to this conflict and peace to this land. (Ps.37:37)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/09/20139106147258221.html
A bomb exploded during Christmas Day Mass at a chapel inside a police camp in the volatile southern Philippines, wounding a priest and 10 churchgoers. The device was hidden in a ventilation window near the ceiling of the chapel, which is on the compound where the provincial police office is located in Jolo town on Jolo Island, Sulu provincial police said. The island is a stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, but it wasn't clear who was responsible for the bombing. Investigators recovered parts of a cell phone they believe detonated the device. All of the wounded were civilians. One woman remained at a hospital for observation on Saturday, but police said one did not need hospital treatment and the others had been treated and sent home. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, but Christians are a minority on Jolo and nearby island provinces that are majority Muslim. Pray: that God would intervene and bring His peace and unity to the people of Jolo and Mindanao. (1Sa.10:6) More: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/25/bombing-wounds-11-christmas-mass-philippines/
A church leader has renewed his appeal for supporters to help persuade President Benigno Aquino to free 43 church-based health workers detained for more than nine months, accused of being members of a clandestine communist-led New People's Army. The workers were conducting primary health-care training for communities, and deny the allegations. ‘Another day in prison for the 43 is another day of justice denied,’ said the Rev. Rex Reyes, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a priest in the Episcopal Church of the Philippines. Reyes requested support from global church organizations, human rights advocates and civil libertarians. After pressure from these groups a presidential spokesperson said on November 16th that the presidential palace had organized a team to review the case of the 43 detainees and, ‘A prompt resolution would be forthcoming.’ Pray: for God's mighty right hand to hold this situation and guide it through to an imminent release for the detainees. (Is.42:7) More: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_125811_ENG_HTM.htm
Israeli bulldozers destroyed six buildings in East Jerusalem on Tuesday, resuming the demolition of Palestinian property after a halt aimed at encouraging peace talks. House demolitions are a volatile issue because Israel sees East Jerusalem as part of its capital city, while Palestinians want it for their future capital. No houses had been razed in the eastern sector since last October, and the demolitions indicate a shift from the unofficial freeze Israel imposed after criticism from USA see Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki comments on the peace talks with Israel saying, ‘Palestinians and Israelis have been trying to resolve their conflict via direct talks since 1991 but have produced absolutely nothing,before we re-engage again, we have to draw lessons. We, the Palestinians need a third party presence, not only to watch us but to intervene in order to bridge the gaps, build proposals and help the two sides to move in the right direction.’ Pray: for a return to direct peace negotiations. (1Sa.7:14 & Ps.122:6) More: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=117054#axzz0tkGRSMcE