ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Thousands of displaced people thanks to floods and landslides

Manila (Agenzia Fides) – More than 4,500 people have been affected by heavy rains that have battered the east coast of the Philippines and there are about 10,00 that are seeking refuge. According to relief officials, at least 18 people died last week due to landslides and floods that have inundated villages and cities. The military and the Red Cross have organized themselves with rubber boats and trucks to reach the affected areas and relief operations. According to the head of Civil Protection in Manila, Benito Ramos, the majority of the dead had left the evacuation centres to try to save their possessions and livelihoods. The president of the National Red Cross, Richard Gordon, said that the provinces along the east coast of the southern island of Mindanao were the most severely affected, together with the province of Surigao del Sur; 29,000 families are in urgent need of assistance. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, on 5 January, in the 39 evacuation centres there were 9,338 people, although this number may increase in anticipation of more rain. More than 13,306 people were assisted outside of the centres. (AP) (08/01/2011 Agenzia Fides)