NEW YORK – Through a recent grant to IOCC, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is providing financial support to people in the Philippines who have suffered extensive damage to their homes as a result of Typhoon Haiyan.

This grant of $16,500, made possible by organizations, parishes and faithful who contributed to the Archdiocesan Philippines Relief Fund, will provide construction materials and ‘cash for work’ for dozens of affected families in the town of Sorsogon, Philippines. This program is being implemented by IOCC in coordination with the Greek Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. The Archdiocese is further reviewing other proposals for long term relief to the people of the Philippines.

Typhoon Hayian, which made landfall in the Philippines on November 8, 2013, is one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, and has left over six thousand people dead and millions of others without shelter or access to basic necessities. It is estimated that the recovery process after a disaster of this magnitude will take years.