Typhoon Ursula Strikes the Philippines while volunteers serve during a HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps

The 2019 HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps to the Philippines has changed its focus. Typhoon Ursula made landfall near Daanbantayan on Christmas Eve. The team of 60 international and 10 local volunteers spent the night sheltering in the Center of HOPE in Daanbantayan. All of the participants are safe as are the disciples in the International Church of Christ congregations in the area.

There have been multiple reports of heavy damage in the area as well as some reports on injuries. Nadine Templer, Director of International Volunteer Programs for HOPE worldwide , is in the Philippines on this volunteer corps as well as Jerry Tonel, Disaster Response Manager for HOPE worldwide Philippines. Nadine says the HVC team spent the night sheltering on the first floor of the recently constructed Center of HOPE in Daanbantayan. The Center of HOPE received heavy damage as the entire second floor and roof structure were blown away by the storm.

The entire area was badly damaged in 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons in history. The Center of HOPE was constructed after that typhoon to serve those in the area. The HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps winter 2019 was working with the center for the planned two-week trip.

Jerry Tonel, Nadine Templer and the HVC leadership are on the ground assessing the damage with HOPE worldwide Philippines and planning for the team to assist with immediate relief and debris removal.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

This Christmas, please consider giving to help rebuild the Center of HOPE and help HOPE worldwide respond to disasters around the world.

Jerry Tonel, Disaster Response Manager HOPE worldwide Philippines jerry.tonel@hopewwph.org