We are so thankful for the gifts given to help with relief efforts in the Philippines. The need is great, and each contribution enables I.N. Network Philippines to respond to this crisis with much needed relief supplies that will help families to survive and make a new start. The following update comes from I.N. Network Philippines with their grateful thanks for your support.

Country Situation

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) brought rains and floods to Central Luzon, including metropolitan Manila, which was hit hard. The six hours of rains brought chest high floods to communities in the Manila area. The strong current of flood waters swept away houses, families, and their belongings, and communities in riverside and low-lying areas.

Visit our Facebook photo album for relief effort images

Disaster Statistics

Number affected: 828,159 families or 4,081,596 people.

In metropolitan Manila: 150,733 families or 757,201 people. The remaining balance is people from the other 25 provinces that were affected.

Remaining in 527 evacuation centers: 64,404 families or 339,251 people.

Casualties: 295 dead, 5 injured, and 39 missing.

Damaged houses: 16,219 totally, 22,849 partially.

Total estimated cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture: P9.767 billion (almost $210 billion US Dollars) Source NDCC, SitRep #23

Action Taken

I.N. Network Philippines has already distributed relief goods to 850 affected families. Each food pack contains Milo (milk beverage), coffee, milk, 3 kg of rice, 1 kg of sugar, 1 canned meat, 2 canned sardines, 3 packs of noodles, and used clothing for kids and adults.

I.N. Network Philippines has immediately extended financial support to affected staff members. The ministry has also replenished school supplies, bags, school uniforms, and shoes of all I.N. Network sponsored children. I.N. Network Philippines recently coordinated with the supplier for immediate delivery of school supplies. Coordination with local evangelical churches is also being done to provide immediate relief and practical help to affected areas.

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When Francisca came to the I.N. Network Child Sponsorship Program, her hair was coming out in dry, lifeless tufts. Her belly was swollen and the look in her eyes was sad and vacant. Francisca wasn't suffering from a rare disease. She was suffering from chronic malnutrition. She had been hungry so long that she was in the third phase of starvation.

The global food crisis has reached epic proportions. It is a sad fact that children are especially vulnerable to this food crisis. Malnutrition affects one in three children in the Majority World, resulting in stunted growth, thinning or loss of hair, severe illness, and even death. We must do something to help these children and their families, especially at Christmas.

As our special Christmas project for 2009, we have decided to focus on providing Baskets of Hope for children and families in the I.N. Network Child Sponsorship Program. Before the most recent economic downturn, many of these families already spent up to 75% of their income on food for their families. Food costs in these countries have doubled and even tripled. Families that were already struggling are now devastated. Parents who were making ends meet before are now unable to feed their children.

With your help, we want to respond to this crisis by providing each family with a Basket of Hope, which is a food hamper full of nutritious food like corn, rice, biscuits, canned meat, flour, and oil, enough to feed a family for up to two weeks. Each food basket costs just $50. Imagine the joy and relief of a family when they receive a basket of these precious food items!

The global food crisis is complicated. It involves market forces and global trends that are beyond our control. But providing a basket of food staples for a child and his or her family is somethign we can do.

The story of Francisca has a happy ending. After several months of nutritious meals through the I.N. Network Child Sponsorship Program, her hair filled in to her normal hairline. She is now stronger and is no longer as susceptible to diseases that would wreak havoc on a malnourished body. A Basket of Hope for her family this Christmas will help provide boost of nutrition Francisa and to her parents and siblings during the holiday break from school. It will also provide an influx of hope in a food crisis that leaves families like Francisca's feeling forgotten by the rest of the world.

Help Children Like Francisca

As you prepare your hearts for the celebration of our Savior's birth, please consider how you can help feed a family in crisis. Each $50 food basket is a gift from the heart of immeasurable value to the family that receives it. Click here to give Baskets of Hope to children and families. We are so grateful for your partnership with I.N. Network USA as we work together to glorify God and win men, women, and children to Jesus Christ.