Philippines typhoon victims receive essential supplies thanks to Hertfordshire Freemasons
These funds will be used to provide hygiene kits, including soap, shampoo, towels, toothpaste and brushes
Plan International staff member hearing the story of 15-year-old Francine whose family experienced the full range of the super typhoon which swept into their community in Southern Leyte and lasted for three hours
Submitted for publication in the Hertfordshire Mercury
Hundreds of families across the Philippines in desperate need of help in the aftermath of Typhoon Rai will be receiving essential supplies thanks to a grant of £25,000 to Plan International from Hertfordshire Freemasons and other Provinces.
Freemasonry, through the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), is responding with Plan International to support affected communities at this critical time. These funds will be used to provide hygiene kits, including soap, shampoo, towels, toothpaste and brushes to 851 families to help them keep clean and healthy in the aftermath of the devastating typhoon.
Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines on December 16, making landfall on islands across the country, leaving almost 400 people dead and causing massive damage. Winds of up to 120mph, heavy rain and storm surges battered the islands, leaving entire villages submerged in floodwater, trees uprooted from the ground and hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter.
Communication routes, power lines, bridges and roads were also either damaged or blocked with debris, making it difficult for emergency responders to get to the worst-hit areas.
Those affected and supported by Plan International include 15-year-old Francine. Francine and her family experienced the full range of the super typhoon which swept into their community in Southern Leyte and lasted for three hours.
The grant from Hertfordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said: “We’re very grateful for this generous grant which will allow Plan International to provide essential support to thousands of people in the aftermath of this terribly destructive typhoon. It’s critical that we act now to help those most at risk”
Neil Connolly, head of Hertfordshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Plan International with their relief effort in the Philippines.
"This is a desperate situation and Plan and the other organisations helping on the ground need all the help and support we in the outside world can offer.”
The Hertfordshire Mercury covers areas including but not limited to Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Goffs Oak, Hoddesdon, Ware and Hertford in Hertfordshire.
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