Half a Year has Gone but Philippines Typhoon Victims See Little Signs of Rebuilding

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the Typhoon Victims in Philippines]

In this January, CEDAR’s staff travelled to Philippines to support Food for the Hungry (FH), also an Integral Alliance member, helping out in releasing relief materials.[1] Our staff spoke to Hon, a 10 years old boy living in Basey. He said, ‘I wish that there is no typhoon in the world. I wish that there will be no more deaths….’ This is because Hon experienced the power of Super Typhoon Haiyan last November. Now whenever someone asked him to describe how he escaped from the Typhoon, he still exhibits great fear in his heart and cannot control his body from involuntary shaking. Rehabilitation phase has been started in the devastated areas however more manpower and materials are needed to fulfill the needs in basic living, health and safety. Helping those suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome is also an urgent task.

FH’s staffs have been working very hard in the past six months to provide relief assistance to the typhoon-affected communities in Marabut and Basey. Flor, a mother of two kids attending primary education, serves in FH to help the disadvantaged communities in Philippines.. Moved by God’s love, she immediately headed to the affected areas from Manila after Super Typhoon Haiyan left Philippines. She may look tough on the outside but inside having a gentle heart. ‘In the stricken regions, it is very difficult for us to implement relief work with limited support from the government and shortage of resources. Apart from tackling the problems and limitations in the disaster areas, I still need to handle my emotions from not living with my family members…. In fact, I feel very sad every time my children call me. They always ask “Mom, we miss you very much. When will you come home?”’ Flor is not able to return to her home due to her involvement in rebuilding the disaster area. The typhoon victims are also awaiting to see their homes rebuilt. They are both anxiously looking forward to their “home return date”.

The Super Typhoon Haiyan hit Philippines on 7 Novermber 2013 and victimized over 13 millions people. CEDAR reacted immediately and supported the local partner Philrads and local churches in Leyte and Samar, delivering about 100,000 food bags and over 8,500 sets of shelter repair kits to the affected families, and also providing trauma care and medical service. CEDAR later received a HK$1.24 million relief grant from HKSAR Government to further provide 3,600 food bags, 1,200 sets of relief materials (in which there are blanket, mosquito net, mat and cutlery) and 450 sets of hygiene kits in Marabut and Basey through Integral Alliance and FH.

[1] CEDAR Typhoon Relief︰http://bit.ly/cedar-philippines-typhoon-relief-2013-video-chi

Meditation on Scriptures
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46: 1)
The typhoon victims lost their homes and families overnight, but have to endure endless of unsettling nights. How can they escape from such pain and unrest? The shelter promised by our God is one that no one can destroy. It is solid and firm. May God be their ever-present help in trouble, leading them to find peace on earth and in their hearts.

Pray for the Typhoon Victims in Philippines:

    1. FH helps over 5,000 affected children through the ‘Child Friendly Space’ project, providing them public hygiene facilities and hygiene education. Hope that this project can really help to improve the local hygiene conditions and reduce the threat of epidemic and spread of germs in disaster areas.
    2. FH has introduced the ‘Cash for Work’ project, so victims can earn living by cleaning up the disaster areas. Give thanks to God’s provision! Many of the victims now have basic fishing tools and also seeds for farming. Pray that God will continue to provide for their needs and the victims will soon become self-sufficient.
    3. Pray that Philippines government and the NGOs will have a comprehensive planning on rebuilding the houses and communities. Pray that God will provide solid shelters to the victims, help in rebuilding of the victims’ homes, and strengthen the frontline aid workers for taking part in the disaster rehabilitation work.
    4. The new typhoon season is coming. Pray for total recovery of the affected communities and from pain in people’s hearts; and for strength given to the victims in facing their new living and coming challenge.

Relief Donation

  • Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  • Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  • Visa/ Master Card (Download donation form)
  • Online donation

(Please mark “Philippines Typhoon Relief”)

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Contact Method

Tel>23819627
Fax>23922777
Email>sharing@cedarfund.org
Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong

CEDAR’s Relief and Rehabilitation Work in Past: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief/
CEDAR Approach on Relief and Rehabilitation: http://cedarfundeng.wordpresss.com/relief-approach/

 

May Peace and Hope Prevail in Syria

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Syria]

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Can you hear Syrian voices?

The conflict has its roots in protests that erupted in mid-March 2011 in the southern city of Deraa, after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. Syria’s crisis enters its forth year and fighting in Syria between government forces and opposing groups continues to escalate. More than 100,000 lives have been lost and over 2.5 million Syrians have registered as refugees in neighbouring countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. With displacement inside Syria reaches over 6.5 million, the total number of people in flight internally and externally now exceeds 40% of Syria’s pre-conflict population. At least half of the displaced are children. UNHCR predicts the refugee population in the surrounding region will grow to become the largest refugee population in the world.

With a population of around 4.1 million, Lebanon already has the highest per-capita concentration of refugees of any country in recent history, with nearly 230 registered Syrian refugees for every 1,000 Lebanese. Syria’s neighbouring countries, including Lebanon and Jordan, have shown incredible generosity in continuing to offer a safe refuge for people fleeing the crisis. However, drastically increased numbers of arrivals lead to the consequence that basic services and facilities are stretched to the limit. Worse of all, more and more Syrians are putting their lives at the mercy of human smugglers.

This is the most severe humanitarian crisis in the 21st century. The unending cycle of violence, displacement, worsening health, disruption to education and learning put millions of Syrians at risk. A generation, with over 5 million Syrian children, is also at risk of being lost forever. The United Nations stressed the need for a political solution to end the conflict. Only with a political intervention will Syria and her people be rescued from further devastation.

Since 2012, Integral Alliance, a global alliance comprising of 19 Christian relief and development agencies, has been providing relief materials, food parcel, medical care and psychosocial care to Syrian refugees. CEDAR is one of the member agencies of Integral Alliance. Let us pray for Syrian refugees continually. May peace and hope prevail in Syria. [Integral Alliance, Tearfund UK, UNHCR, UN]

Meditate on Hymn:

‘Let Your Heart Be Broken’

May this hymn be your prayers and will:

Let your heart be broken for a world in need:
Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed,
Give the cup of water and the loaf of bread
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love,
Visible expression God still rules above
Living illustration of the Living Word
To the minds of all whove Never seen or heard.

Blest to be a blessing privileged to care,
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,
Knowing Christ as Savior, make Him Master, too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod;
In the worlds great trouble risk yourself for God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear;
See mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brothers pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.

Pray for Syria that:

  • International communities and leaders put most efforts to support an immediate end to the Syrian war;
  • More support including financial assistance be given to Syria’s neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, from which protect and host can be provided to Syrian refugees;
  • Lives and basic needs of Syrian refugees are secured and the refugees can return home soon.

 

Support Philippines Typhoon Victims at this Critical Time

Posted on by 施達基金會

Cover photo_PHL-FHUS-13-Basey20_1

Super Typhoon Haiyan, struck Philippines on 8 Nov., killed more than 5,200 people, 13 million affected and almost 4.3 million displaced. Victims are in dire needs, and some of them lost their homes and even saw their beloved ones swept to their deaths in the storm surge.

Photo 1_PHL-TFUK-13 the remains of a home
Houses were destroyed as storm-surge waves hit Basey, Samar

Photo 2_ PHL-TFUK-13 washing clothes
Women wash clothes by the roadside

CEDAR is responding the dire need of the victims through the local partner PHILRADS, by delivering food packs to affected families in Leyte and Samar provinces. Shelters and emotional support during disaster recovery will be provided. Besides, CEDAR together with other Integral Alliance members are establishing an Integral team on the ground to strengthen our joint response, both operationally and through the work of our local church based partners.

Photo 3_PHL-TFUK-13 food distribution
Relief items arrived in a town in south Samar which was completely destroyed

As Philippines was severely devastated, CEDAR has submitted a relief proposal to HKSAR Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee to support the relief work by our partners in Samar and Northern Iloilo.  One of our partners Food for the Hungry is going to provide at least 4,000 affected families in two municipalities in western Samar province with items like food, kitchen sets and hygiene kits for children.

Pray for victims and relief work in Philippines:

‘Heavenly Father, we trust in you as our comfort, strength and hope.
In this time of disaster and crisis in the Philippines would you help every agency in their aid effort.
By your Spirit we pray you would lift up the broken, give comfort and strength to those who mourn the loss of loved ones.
And help us as we respond to aid the work of rescue and rebuilding.
Put hope in the hearts of all your children Lord.
Through Jesus our Saviour. Amen’
(source: Tearfund UK)

Emergency and Relief Donation

(Please mark “Philippines Typhoon Relief”)

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institution and trust of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Contact Method

Tel>23819627
Fax>23922777
Email>sharing@cedarfund.org
Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong

CEDAR’s Relief and Rehabilitation Work in Past: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief/
CEDAR Approach on Relief and Rehabilitation: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief-approach/

This project has been carried out as part of an Integral Response.

Philippine Aid Operation Hampered by Scale of Destruction

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the Typhoon victims and the relief work]

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CEDAR Fund’s local partners are responding to the desperate need of 9.5 million people affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines, working with local churches to deliver food packs to 7,000 affected families in Leyte and Samar provinces. Poor communications and access difficulties are still hampering relief efforts. Integral Alliance, in which CEDAR is a member agency, is currently meeting local partners to carry out a crisis mapping to further support relief operations in badly hit areas. Integral Alliance members from UK, Switzerland, USA and CEDAR partners from India and Indonesia who are well experienced in disaster management are arriving the Philippines to support relief effort there. [CEDAR’s Philippines Typhoon Relief]

Pray for the Typhoon victims and the relief work:

  • Pray for God’s healing and protection to the victims; and for His comfort to those who have lost their beloved ones and homes;
  • Pray for debris clearing of roads so that the main supply route can be passable for transporting necessary relief goods and reach affected populations;
  • Pray for smooth emergency operations and for the safety of all types of frontline aid workers;
  • Pray for good planning and coordination from the Philippine government on disaster relief and rehabilitation.

Emergency and Relief Donation:

(Please mark “Philippines Typhoon Relief”)

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institution and trust of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Contact Method

Tel>23819627
Fax>23922777
Email>sharing@cedarfund.org
Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong

CEDAR’s Relief and Rehabilitation Work in Past: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief/
CEDAR Approach on Relief and Rehabilitation: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief-approach/

* Integral is a global alliance of 19 Christian relief and development agencies, working together to present a more effective response to poverty worldwide. CEDAR is one of the member agencies.

Emergency Appeal: CEDAR Emergency Operations for Super Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines

Posted on by 施達基金會

pic-20131111-eng

CEDAR Fund’s local partners are responding to the desperate need of the 9.5 million people affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan since 7 Nov in Philippines. Reportedly, the worst natural catastrophe in Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 people and the death toll is expected to rise.

According to CEDAR’s local partner PHILRADS, at least six provinces are severely damaged, including Leyte, Samar and Cebu provinces. In this very first stage of emergency operations, PHILRADS works with local churches to deliver food packs to 7,000 affected families in Leyte and Samar provinces. Depending on available resources, PHILRADS would like to reach out to other badly hit provinces.

As a member agency of Integral Alliance*, CEDAR has also been working very closely with Integral Alliance members on the disaster relief work for Super Typhoon Haiyan. Another local partner is now providing basic necessities such as food, water, medicine and shelter to all those affected by the disaster.

Pray for the Typhoon victims and the relief development work

  • Pray for God’s healing and protection to the victims; and for His comfort to those who have lost their beloved ones and homes.
  • Pray for smooth emergency operations and for the safety of all types of frontline aid workers.
  • Pray for good planning and coordination from the Philippine government on disaster relief and rehabilitation.
  • Pray for God’s protection for the people in China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as Typhoon Haiyan moves toward their direction.

Emergency and Relief Donation

(Please mark “Philippines Typhoon Relief”)

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institution and trust of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Contact Method

Tel>23819627
Fax>23922777
Email>sharing@cedarfund.org
Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong

CEDAR’s Relief and Rehabilitation Work in Past: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief/
CEDAR Approach on Relief and Rehabilitation: http://eng.cedarfund.org/relief-approach/

* Integral Alliance is a global alliance of 19 Christian relief and development agencies, working together to present a more effective response to poverty worldwide. CEDAR is one of the member agencies.

This project has been carried out as part of an Integral Response.

Remember Flooding in Northern India and Nepal

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Remember the India flooding in prayer]

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Early monsoon rains have caused massive flooding and landslides in northern India’s Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states and Nepal since mid-June 2013, affecting tens of thousands of people. The state of Uttarakhand in India suffered maximum damage. More than 1,000 people have reportedly died with many more missing. Damage to bridges and roads left over 70,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in various places, of whom, many are waiting to be rescued. About 22,000 local people are said to be still stranded. In Nepal, 39 people have been killed and more than 1,700 families have been displaced. CEDAR partner EFICOR has sent a team to Uttarakhand making need assessment. Integral Alliance, a global Christian network coordinating the disaster relief response, is monitoring the situation closely.

Remember the India flooding in prayer:

  • May His comfort and protection go to the victims and those who lost their families in the flood. 
  • Pray for His strength that EFICOR and other CEDAR partners can respond to the relief effectively and efficiently.

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.