Southern Leyte Disaster Relief Fund
Added to website: 29 December 2003
More than 200 villagers on the southern part of the Philippine Province of Southern Leyte have lost their lives following last weeks devastating mudslides. Villagers of the north-eastern part of the main southern island of Mindanao are also reported to have been affected. Most of the areas involved were near hills and mountainsides. It has been reported that the cause of the tragedy is almost a week of torrential rain and years of illegal logging. Coral Cay Conservation Volunteers situated north of the disaster area, near the town of Malitbog, Sogod Bay, were unaffected. Transport planes continue to deliver food, medicine, rescue equipment and other supplies to the thousands of families made homeless. Bad weather, blocked roads combined with downed power and phone lines are however hampering rescue efforts. CCC has offered to give any support it can to the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte. The CCC Medical Officer, various other field staff and volunteers are prepared to assist. The CCC boat is also on standby should it be needed.
Concerned former Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) Volunteers have contacted CCC to offer their support through disaster relief donations. Members of the public wishing to donate to Southern Leyte Disaster Relief Fund should send cheques (made payable to ‘Coral Cay Conservation Ltd’ and marked on the back: “Southern Leyte Disaster Relief Fund”) to the CCC head office. All funds raised will be sent to CCC’s main project partner the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte.
