Lasallian Schools and Typhoon Yolanda

Here is some additional information from General Councilor, Br. Bob Schieler:

Thanks to all who sent their messages of concern and prayers for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (locally named in the Philippines as typhoon “Yolanda”). This Category 5 Typhoon is already dubbed as one of the strongest storms observed in world history and has killed more than a hundred. As of 9 November, the Philippine Red Cross estimates that about 1,200 died in just two provinces. Affecting 40 provinces in several islands of central Philippines, the preventive evacuation of 800,000 residents was supposed to diminish the number of casualties in a country that is all too familiar with typhoons.

Since power and communication lines are down in the affected areas, we have yet to grasp the full extent of the damage and casualties brought about by Typhoon “Haiyan”. None of our schools were in the direct path of the typhoon, although some schools have reported minor damages to their infrastructure. According to the Philippine’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 944,597 families or 4,282,636 individuals in 40 provinces were affected by Super Typhoon “Haiyan”.

The Sector of the Philippines has organized a disaster response and relief operations called “One La Salle Relief Drive: Yolanda”. We will provide further updates as we receive news from the different islands of the Philippines. Let us also keep Vietnam in prayers as they prepare for Typhoon Haiyan. Information on the relief efforts can be found in the De La Salle Philippines website: http://delasalle.ph/news/2013/11/10/one-la-salle-relief-drive-Yolanda.