CCODP sends $50,000 to aid mudslide victims

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has offered $50,000 to its partner agency in the Philippines to aid survivors of the massive landslide in southern Leyte that buried the village of Guinsaugon Feb. 17 after heavy rains.

The National Secretariat of Social Action (NSSA), Development and Peace's long time partner and the Philippine Catholic Church's social action arm, is coordinating relief efforts in the region.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in southern Leyte and the Philippines," said Michael Casey, executive director of Development and Peace. "We also want to assure NASSA of our solidarity and support."

About 1,300 villagers were presumed dead in the village of Guinsaugon, which was directly in the path of the huge mudslide. More than 400 survived the disaster, most of them by fleeing from the scene.

Development and Peace, the official Catholic overseas development agency for Canada is part of Caritas Internationalis, the international Catholic confederation linking 162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations in 200 countries and territories.

Contributions can be made by telephone (1-888-664-3387), via the Internet at (www.devp.org) or by cheque (marked "Philippines Emergency") care of: Development and Peace, 5633 Sherbrooke St. East, Montreal H1N 1A3.

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