Mayor urges support for NW Filipinos inwake of devastation

“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,” he said.

“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.”

He said he had contacted the Philippine Honorary Consul Mark Congdon, offering the Council’s services in helping them connect people.

He encouraged concerned individuals to get information by logging on at http://philippineconsulate.ieThe Mayor continued: “Worldwide fundraising efforts are well underway and I would encourage people who wish to help 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 I would encourage people to contact their local religious institution for details in different communities.”

Director of the Operation Division for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Laois man John Ging, has warned: “The devastation has been huge...all of our efforts are on mobilising very quickly and on responding on an equally massive scale,”

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. Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office. You can donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.