In the early hours of December 17, strong winds and heavy rains caused massive destruction in coastal communities in the southern Filipino island of Mindanao. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is responding. 

The storm, named Tropical Storm Washi, caused flash floods and landslides across Mindanao. According to government reports, more than 970 people have been killed and approximately 146,000 people have been affected by the storm. In addition, more than 4,400 homes have been damaged and 51,035 people have been forced from their homes and are now living in evacuation centers.

Nick Armstrong of CRWRC’s International Disaster Response Team is based in Salatiga, Indonesia. He has been in touch with pastors and others in the affected area to assess needs and determine a response. This initial disaster response may include food, water, clothing, blankets, and mosquito nets depending on the amount of funds raised.

"One of the people we have been in contact with is the Pastor of the Living Hope Christian Reformed Church in Cagayan de Oro,” said Wayne de Jong, Director of Disaster Response and Rehabilitation for CRWRC. “Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in the Northern Mindanao region have been especially hard hit by this disaster and some of the Living Hope church members’ houses have been destroyed."

In fact, the Christian Reformed Church has a long history in the Philippines. Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) began developing churches on Negros Island in 1962. By 1990, the Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines had grown to 25 fully organized congregations and more than 20 emerging churches. Similarly, CRWRC began its ministry in the Philippines in 1972, working alongside deacons of the CRCP and other community organizations in the areas of literacy, agriculture, income-generation, health, and justice. In 2011, CRWRC transitioned its community development programs to these local partners. 

CRWRC will draw upon this long history in the Philippines to work alongside the local church and community organizations to provide emergency assistance in the face of this new disaster.