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Death toll climbs in Philippine flash floods. As of Tuesday, December 27, the toll of fatalities
from flash floods that had swept away entire villages in the southern Mindanao Island rose
to more than 1,250. Navy, Coast Guard and other personnel were widening their search
for the missing as the United Nations launched an urgent appeal for US$28 million to assist
over 60,000 people who had been rendered homeless, including more than half the populations of
the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. On the other side of Mindanao Island, continued
rains on Tuesday set off floods and landslides in the Caraga region, with one child reported
missing. Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from at least 14 villages via trucks and boats,
mostly from the worst-hit Surigao City in Surigao del Norte. Flights were also cancelled
due to low visibility.
Upon first hearing of the disasters in the country on December 17, Supreme Master Ching
Hai had asked that our local Association members please check with regional officials to see
if help was needed. With all her love and prayers, she also requested that they go if
possible to offer support to the most vulnerable as she added that funds for emergency aid
are available.
With gratefulness for the endeavors of the Philippine officials, military and other personnel,
we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her compassionate concern. Our sincere sympathies
for the loss of loved ones as we pray that such conditions are lessened through our kinder,
eco-stabilizing ways�