Jehovah’s Witnesses are assisting their fellow believers as well as other victims of Typhoon Sarika (locally known as Karen) and Typhoon Haima (locally known as Lawin), which buffeted the island of Luzon, in the northern Philippines, on October 16 and 19, 2016, respectively. Typhoon Haima, a Category 4 typhoon, is one of the strongest typhoons to hit the Philippines since the deadly Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) struck in 2013.

None of the 200,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Philippines were killed or seriously injured in these disasters. However, initial damage reports indicate that the strong winds, flooding, and landslides caused by Typhoon Haima damaged at least 1,058 of their homes and 43 Kingdom Halls, or places of worship.

The branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Philippines has organized a disaster relief committee based in Tuguegarao City, Luzon, and is collecting relief goods, such as food and potable water. To date, eight truckloads of relief goods have been delivered to affected areas. The branch office is also initiating the construction of temporary relief homes as well as the repair work on the damaged homes and Kingdom Halls.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is coordinating the disaster relief efforts from their world headquarters, using funds donated to the Witnesses’ global ministry work.

Media Contacts:

International: David A. Semonian, Office of Public Information, 1-718-560-5000

Philippines: Dean Jacek, 63-2-224-4444