Port chaplains have come out in full force to support Filipino seafarers
Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Cebu port chaplain has spoken of the devastation caused by the typhoon and efforts to provide assistance.
Across the globe the charity’s port chaplains have come out in full force to support Filipino seafarers and fishing communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
Father Ulyses Desales, AoS Cebu port chaplain, has described the situation in Cebu as “devastating and saddening”. Hehas been helping with relief efforts in Bantayan Island, Cebu, one of the areas most affected by the storm.
“It was only when I arrived on the island that I saw the extent of the damage for myself; almost all the houses have collapsed, trees have been uprooted and debris is all over the place. It is in the provinces of Cebu that you really get a sense of the destruction caused by the typhoon,”he said, adding that he saw people holding up placards with the words‘Please help us. We need water, food, medicine.’
Fr Ulyses has turned the seafarers’ centre in Cebu into a hub which he can use to mobilise assistance, together with his team of volunteers.
AoS has seafarers’ centres all over the Philippines from which support is being provided. Its network of centres around the world are providing free telephone cards and internet access to allow Filipino seafarers to contact their familiesback home.
Source: AoS
