The Sailors’ Society has issued an emergency appeal to bring aid to the seafarers and their families impacted by an earthquake within the Philippines.
The 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit town of Cebu on 30 September and caused a substantial amount of injury. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and power cuts are a frequent issue.
More than 70 people were reportedly killed by the quake, and lots of remain in temporary shelters and accommodation as a result of the specter of aftershocks.
Since the essential quake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded over 9,000 aftershocks, some as strong as 5.1 on the Richter scale.
The Sailors’ Society bringing food, clean water and other support to seafarers and their families.
Sara Baade, CEO of the Sailors’ Society, said, “We are receiving urgent requests day-after-day from seafarers trying to achieve their families back home. Many cannot get through. Others have received shattering news.”
The charity’s Programme Manager, Gavin Lim, told one story of a seafarer lost each his brother and a nephew within the earthquake. The sailor’s wife and 4 children have faced great difficulty find food while attempting to get by within the rubble.
Lim said, “Another seafarer called our 24/7 helpline from his vessel to say his wife and two siblings are on the epicentre of the quake and so they are ravenous, living outside within the rain that’s now bombarding the realm.”
It is estimated that greater than 1 / 4 of the world’s maritime workforce are Filipinos, with lots of the nations 229,000 seafarers coming from the region hit by the quake.
Baade continued, “Members of our Crisis Response Network are preparing to travel to the worst-hit areas as soon because it is secure. Roads are impassable and aftershocks proceed, but we’re committed to reaching those in desperate need.
“In the meantime, we’re offering emergency grants. Just £30 can provide a family with food and clean water for per week and we may provide trauma and bereavement counselling for survivors and seafarers hundreds of miles from home.”
 The Sailors’ Society has issued an emergency appeal to bring aid to the seafarers and their families impacted by an earthquake within the Philippines....){kind=link}