Silver Spring, Maryland—--In response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Fengshen, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing aid to survivors affected by the powerful typhoon that struck central Philippines, Friday, June 20, resulting in at least 600 deaths, leaving more than 1,000 people missing, and causing damages of at least $100 million.

In the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Fengshen, which displaced approximately 2.4 million people, ADRA initiated an emergency response plan, preparing distribution of food packets and bed kits, which ADRA is providing to 975 families (4,875 individuals) in heavily affected Iloilo, Leyte, and Bulacan provinces. The food packages include 17.6 lbs (8 kg) of rice, 1.1 lbs (500 g) of beans, eight cans of fish, eight packs of noodles, salt, sugar, cooking oil, fruits, and milk.

In Antique province, ADRA emergency response personnel visited seven municipalities, including San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom, Hamtik, Caridad, Guinats, Asluman, to coordinate operations with local government officials and disaster response entities. As a result, ADRA was asked to assist with non-food items, such as kitchen utensils, bed kits, drinking water, and sanitation kits.

ADRA will continue to monitor the situation in order to assess and prepare for an expanded response plan. The initial response is valued at $20,000, and is supported by ADRA International, the ADRA Asia regional office located in Bangkok, and ADRA Philippines.

Typhoon Fengshen, which made landfall in Samar province on Friday afternoon, June 20, traversed Central Philippines in a northwesterly direction before shifting course northward, striking central Luzon and crossing Pangasinan province on June 23 on its way out to sea. This tropical storm is the seventh typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, and also the strongest, with winds reaching at least 120 mph (195 kph) at its height, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The storm caused landslides and widespread flooding throughout much of the country, including the capital city of Manila.

In the province of Iloilo, where officials declared a state of emergency, tens of thousands of residents escaping rising waters were stranded on rooftops, especially in the provincial capital, Iloilo City. The floods, which caused widespread power outages and heavy disruptions in the supply of potable water, are the worst in the history of the province, according to the provincial Disaster Coordinating Council office. Nearly all of Iloilo's 42 towns, including Iloilo City, experienced high flood water levels.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that in West Visayas some 182,686 people were affected by the typhoon, with 224 dead, and 155,000 homes damaged. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that 70,717 people are currently staying in evacuation centers in different affected communities. In the town of Marilao, Bulacan province, central Luzon, approximately 8,000 families were affected, with three reported deaths. In addition, in Leyte Province, East Visayas, a total of 14,000 houses were damaged by flashfloods, according to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC). Also, 20 percent of the province's 500 barangays—a Filipino term for village, district, or ward—still have no power, said the Southern Leyte Electric Consumers Cooperative (SOLECO). The provincial DSWD also reported that more than 10,000 families have been affected in Northern Leyte.

As the category 3 tropical storm roared across the Philippine archipelago, a large ferry carrying at least 800 passengers capsized near Sibuyan Island in the province of Romblon, central Philippines, in heavy seas. Until now, some 57 survivors have been rescued, while 124 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 700 remain missing and are feared dead.

Updates will be released as response efforts expand.

To assist in the effort to provide emergency aid for survivors of Typhoon Fengshen, please call 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or donate online to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund at www.adra.org.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: Hearly Mayr ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org