The Salvation Army has responded powerfully to last week’s mudslide in the Philippines. Officers from the organisation’s Cantamuk branch have reported that as at Sunday Feb 19th that there were approximately 3,650 people seeking refuge and shelter in the school near the disaster area.
Explaining that they are there to provide a spiritual ministry, Salvation Army representatives have begun the process of obtaining food, blankets, mats and mosquito nets for those left devastated by the catastrophe.
The Salvation Army Church in the region is said to be very remote, but the main head office of the organisation has been making all efforts to establish contact with them.
The landslide was the result of intense rainfall, and has completely engulfed the village of Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte.
Other Christian relief ministries have been responding to the tragedy with aid and prayers.
However, hope is dwindling of finding anyone alive as search teams continue to battle against deep, shifting mud and rain to find survivors in the farming community of Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte province which was buried completely by a collapsed mountainside.
According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, 72 bodies have been pulled from the mud so far, with the number of missing villagers standing at 913.
Rescue efforts continue to focus on a school filled with more than 250 children and staff when it was buried by a wall of mud and rocks, although there is no sign of life, according to reports.
The Caritas network released a press statement saying that it is "monitoring the disaster that overwhelmed a rural area in the Philippines."
“Our prayers are with the people of Leyte Island and the Philippines as the scope of this tragedy continues to unfold,” said Duncan MacLaren, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.
“We also wish to assure NASSA-Caritas Philippines of our solidarity and support in responding to the tragedy, especially the victims. Please let us know as soon as possible how we can help,” he said.
Caritas Philippines has reported that it is on the ground to help in the relief effort and to funnel international aid to the local people.
The Salvation Army has been working in the Philippines since 1937 and has over 10,000 members. The head of Salvation Army work in the Philippines is Commissioner Robin Dunster, who is about to become the first woman Chief of the Staff (second in command) of The Salvation Army's work in all 111 countries.
Daniel Blake
Christian Today Correspondent