Four Filipino-Canadians are still missing after Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines on Friday.

Cristita Magno and Virginia Magno Garcia, along with their husbands Amancio Allana and Valdomar Garcia, travelled to the Philippines to the village of Bungtod in September, where the sisters were born. It was one of the sister’s 60th birthday wish to build a chapel in the town.

The Magno sisters and their husbands were scheduled to fly back on Friday night, but relatives haven’t heard from them since Thursday. The sisters informed their family that their flight had been cancelled, and that they were unable to travel to Manila. They decided to weather the storm in their home in Bungtod.

But family members are concerned for their safety.

“We are just hoping to hear their voice,” said Christita Magno’s son, Arwin Allan. “Their house is right beside the Pacific Ocean, the only protection they have is the sea wall, but that isn’t enough.”

Arwin said he tried calling his relatives more than 50 times. “I called my dad, my uncles, my mom, my relatives there, tried to Facebook them, no answer.”

But it could be weeks before communications lines return.

Sister Agustina Magno said she feels helpless. “If something terrible happened, what can we do?”

While communication lines are still down, Ottawa resident Marvin Mortel was able to contact his relatives in the Philippines through Facebook.

“I heard reports back home that the situation there is worsening, looting is everywhere, so it’s rough for us, especially here, we’re half a world away from them,” he said. “We just have to pray for them and hope that they will have a new start after this.”

Mortel said affected individuals are in desperate need of clothing, food, blankets and medicine.

Ramil Pesa, meanwhile, has lost track of 41 relatives.

“It’s a torture, a mind torture, three days of waiting (to know) what happened to our loved ones,” Pesa said.

At least 942 people have been confirmed dead, but local authorities believe the death toll will rise considerably. 

More than 9.5 million people have been affected by the storm, and at least 600,000 individuals have been forced from their homes.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced on Monday that Canada is sending members of its Disaster Assistance Response Team to the island nation. 

Baird told reporters that between 36 and 50 troops will depart from Canada Monday afternoon.

With a report from CTV’s Genevieve Beauchemin and Aphrodite Salas