More Donations Received, Task Force Developed for Philippines Relief
Drs. Donnie Smith and Jake Popejoy, representing the Church of God Care Division and Chaplains Commission, participated in a task force designated to respond to the destruction of Typhoon Yolanda. This Task Force consists of representatives from seven Filipino para-church organizations. During these meetings, which were held in Manila, Philippines, a number of topics were considered including necessary strategies in response to the immediate and future needs of those affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
Assessment reports were reviewed and critiqued. Timetables were established for delivery and receiving of necessary humanitarian aid, personnel deployment to include, chaplains, volunteers, professional medical people as well as crisis counselors for post disaster treatment.
Chaplains and volunteers preparing early shipment of aid for typhoon victims (click on photo to enlarge)
“We are very proud to note that, Operation Compassion is largely responsible for the provision of much of the necessary humanitarian aid,” stated Smith. “Additionally the Filipino Church of God Chaplains and Word for the World have established a formal agreement to work with the 700 Club to insure a seamless flow of aid and assistance reaches the most severely damaged areas.” Operation Compassion is an independent benevolent organization with roots in the Church of God.
According to officials at Operation Compassion, new donations for the Philippines have come from China, including a 40-foot container of 200,000 meals for children and 25,000 pair of shoes. In addition, semi-truck loads of high dollar children’s clothes arrived Monday at the Operation Compassion warehouse in Cleveland. These items will be prepared and shipped to Marc Morris, who heads Samaritan’s Place Ministries in Silang, Cavite, Philippines and has been a leader in the Philippine recovery effort.
Insomuch that entire villages and geographical areas were completely destroyed by the typhoon, a process of response and recovery has been implemented by the Chaplains Commission in the Philippines. Numbers of international volunteers are presently on standby to respond once Morris, who also serves as superintendent for Austral/Asia for the Church of God, and Chaplaincy Coordinator Connie Uy have established a deployment date. Presently there are chaplains from the Philippine Islands, U.S.A. and South Africa who are preparing for deployment. Ormoc City has been designated as the response command center for the Joint Task Force and Church of God Disaster Responses.
Smith, who serves as Executive Administrator of the Church of God Division of Care, is very focused on the timeline for delivery of containers and assistance. He is personally involved with daily communicating and coordinating between Operation Compassion, Chaplaincy and other systems in place to aid the Philippine churches, members and people.
