Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are concerned for the welfare of all those impacted by the devastation in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Mormons throughout the world have expressed their love and sympathy to those affected by the typhoon.
Church leaders in affected areas continue to establish contact with members and to assess and assist community needs. The LDS disaster response team is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with these leaders.
Access into the Tacloban area is very limited. Water and power systems have been damaged or destroyed, creating a shortage of clean water. Communication is still problematic in the Samar and Leyte areas. Debris and downed power lines continue to block roads.
The Church is providing temporary shelter to over 14,000 displaced persons in 200 Church buildings and is working with the Philippine government and other organizations to distribute food, water and other life-sustaining supplies to those in impacted areas.
Transportation is being arranged to send larger quantities of food and water along with blankets and tarps.
The Philippines emergency management agency reports more than 1,700 people are confirmed dead with that number expected to rise. Thousands are missing as search and rescue efforts continue. Nearly 9.7 million people in 41 provinces were affected by the typhoon. More than 23,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes.
Mormon Newsroom will provide updated information as it becomes available.