Members of Canada's Filipino community are rallying to help loved ones in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, tore through the island nation.
The Philippine military on Monday confirmed at least 942 people have died in the aftermath of the storm. The scale of destruction in the Southeast Asian country is still unclear, but officials fear that as many as 10,000 people may be dead, and that the death toll could climb even higher as first responders reach areas currently cut off by flooding and landslides.
More than 9.5 million people have been affected by the typhoon, which forced an estimated 600,000 people from their homes.
The devastating storm has also cut off telephone connections to many areas, leaving Filipinos in Canada wondering about their loved ones.
The Philippine ambassador to Canada Leslie Gatan says many Filipinos were evacuated from their homes and headed to safety before the typhoon made landfall, but some stayed behind.
"The majority went to safer places, outside the path of the (typhoon)," Gatan told CTV's Canada AM on Monday. "Those who were brave enough to stay behind in churches and schools and other strong buildings were the ones who perished."
He said those with family and friends back in their homeland should monitor the embassy's website for the latest information.
"We'll try to answer as factually as possible. The challenge is that we do not have adequate information because of the situation of the communications systems in those areas," Gatan said.
Canada’s first Filipino-Canadian Senator, Tobias Enverga Jr., said his office has fielded “thousands” of calls from Canada’s Filipino community, which numbers around 600,000 people.
“(I’m) really heartbroken,” he told CTV News Channel. “People say: ‘I cannot find my father, my daughter, my sister, what can I do?’ ”
Across Canada, Filipino community groups are already hard at work collecting donations to help victims in the hardest-hit areas.
A spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross said that $1.2 million in donations had been raised as of midday Monday.
"People are being very generous," said Guy LePage. "This is going to be a long-term recovery program."
In churches in Toronto and Vancouver, where many Filipinos have settled, congregation members are being asked to contribute whatever they can.
"What we need is quick response. Financial assistance will be the number one way of helping our people," Rev. Ben Ebcas Jr told reporters in Toronto outside the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Parish.
Sen. Enverga Jr. echoed that call for donations.
“I’m appealing to everyone to open up your wallets because the community needs you, the people in Philippines need you. People have no food, no water to drink, no shelter to go to,” he said. “We need your help. I know Canada is so open, so blessed and I hope it will translate to more help for us.”
Minister of International Development Christian Paradis announced over the weekend that the federal government will match each dollar Canadians donate to registered charities. Ottawa is also contributing up to $5 million in support to humanitarian groups helping typhoon victims in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called the president of the Philippines to extend Canada’s condolences to the storm-ravaged country.
Harper spoke with Benigno Aquino III on Monday morning, telling him the thoughts and prayers of Canadians were with those affected by the typhoon. Aquino expressed his sincere thanks.
Canadians needing urgent consular help following Typhoon Haiyan can email sos@international.gc.ca or call collect 613-996-8885.
With files from The Canadian Press
