Typhoon Haiyan has left many areas of the Philippines devastated. Seven of the 21 Church missions in the Philippines were impacted by the storm, but all missionaries are safe. Most Church missionaries serving in the Philippine Tacloban Mission have been evacuated to Manila.
Displaced missionaries are staying in housing near the Manila Temple and are being fed in the cafeteria of the Manila Missionary Training Center (MTC). Mission and area leaders are meeting with missionaries to evaluate their needs. Medical professionals are on hand to attend to their physical and emotional needs. Displaced missionaries in Manila are free to call home. It's anticipated that some missionaries who are approaching the conclusion of their service will return home early.
Because the missionaries had to evacuate quickly, most left with just the clothes they were wearing. When missionaries at the MTC in Manila learned that fellow elders and sisters from the Philippines Tacloban Mission had lost all their possessions, they immediately met their temporary needs by donating items of clothing.
“Like the people they serve, our elders and sisters have endured much. We are giving them the very best care possible,” said Elder Don R. Clarke, an executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department. “We want to make sure their physical and emotional needs are met. The Church is completely outfitting each sister and elder without expense to the missionary or their family."
Missionaries serving throughout the Philippines are assisting with relief efforts in the areas they serve.
See more on Church's disaster relief efforts in the Philippines