Christian relief groups rush to aid Philippines flood victims

Christian relief agencies are responding to the destructive flood in Philippines that has claimed at least 140 lives, and over half million displaced; amid an international aid appeal made by the government.

Tropical Storm Ketsana hit the Philippines on Saturday causing massive flooding in the capital, Manila, and its surrounding provinces. The officials say, it was the heaviest rainfall in more than 40 years.

On Monday, the officials say the death toll has reached 140, and 450,000 people were affected by the storm.

The government has declared a "state of calamity" in 25 provinces and in metropolitan Manila, which has a population of about 20 million, 80 percent of it was under water at some point on Sunday, according to the officials. Ketsana dumped more than a month's worth of rain in just 12 hours, the officials told the Associated Press.

World Vision, a Christian aid agency says Monday that it is aiming to meet the urgent needs of 100,000 survivors of massive flooding in Manila.

The agency said it needs 2 million U.S. dollars to pay for the planned response and is appealing to its funding offices around the world, to governments and to corporate donors in the Philippines to assist. Some large Philippine businesses have already pledged support, it stated.

World Vision Philippines Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director Boy Bersales said: "Thousands of people have lost all they owned - their food, their clothing, bedding, school items, and kitchen equipment. But their immediate needs are for food and water. Many have gone without either for hours and hours and the children are especially vulnerable having been trapped in flooded conditions for several days. The city is only now waking up to the massive extent of the devastation."

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - USA says it will feed 5,000 families and also provide them with blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, soap, and more.

"Many of the people who have lost everything are sleeping in schools right now," says CRS Country Representative Luc Picard. "They're calling this the Katrina of the Philippines."

CRS aid it is pledging an initial $50,000 in aid to its partner, Caritas Philippines, which is distributing the food and other items to flood survivors. "Our church partners were able to respond immediately," says Picard, "and we will support them during this incredibly difficult time."

According to Gulfnews agencies, the United States, China, Japan, Singapore and United Nations agencies too have responded by sending aids to the country Monday.

The Philippines has appealed to the international community for help.

"We are appealing for international humanitarian assistance... for (relief from) the effects of tropical storm Ketsana," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro was quoted as saying by Agence-French Press in a nationally televised briefing

"The potential for a more serious situation is there and we cannot wait for that to happen," Teodoro said, adding that he had sent a formal letter of appeal to the UN resident coordinator to the Philippines.

World Vision said it is also planning to distribute rice, sardines, cooking oil, water, iodized salt, biscuits and canned meat. Other items include mosquito nets, blankets and kerosene lamps or candles along with hygiene items including soap, laundry soap and women's sanitary items.

Climate change blamed:

World Vision's Bersales said: "State weather forecasters are saying that this massive huge downpour is due to climate change. People are wondering what this means for the future since the impact of this storm have been so enormous and widespread. People are just not ready. If it is due to climate change then we are witnessing what could be the first terrifying indications of what changed weather patterns could mean for millions of people living in Manila, especially the poor.

"This has to be a wake up call for the world as it prepares for the climate change talks in Copenhagen, later in the year. The developing world, especially in Asia needs help," Bersales said.