MANILA, Oct. 7, 2013— Heavy rains and flooding have increased the need for humanitarian aid in Zamboanga City which still reeling from a bloody 20-day standoff, a Catholic priest said.
Msgr. Crisologo Manongas, administrator of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, said the humanitarian condition in the area remains critical as more aid are needed to respond to the needs of the victims.
“We would welcome any help either through the diocese or the government,” Manongas said over Manila archdiocese-run Radio Veritas on Monday.
The church official said more residents have been evacuated because of incessant rains that inundated several villages.
He said it also added more misery to thousands of families displaced by the skirmishes between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front and now staying in temporary shelters.
“We have another set of evacuees now. They have to be transferred because they are from a low-lying areas and there also other evacuees from other barangays,” he said.
Aside from relief aid, Manongas is also asking for prayer in the wake of floods that have cut off communities.
The weather bureau said bad weather is expected to persist in Zamboanga City until Wednesday. (CBCPNews)
