BALTIMORE, MD (IOCC) — The struggle to clear roads of debris and restore the lines of communication across the Philippines is slowing relief efforts for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan. More than 11.8 million people have been affected by the deadly storm that has claimed 4,460 lives so far and left more than 920,000 people with no homes to return to. The need for food and medicine is critical, especially in hardest hit Tacloban city, where fuel is expected to run out in a few days and damage to the local airport's runway is limiting its use to small planes evacuating displaced storm victims. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding with partners on the ground to reach vulnerable families in the country's hardest hit areas with critically needed humanitarian aid.

IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is working with Orthodox churches and relief partners inside the Philippines to provide more than 8,000 storm survivors in Tacloban and surrounding communities with assistance including food parcels, medicine, emergency medical care for the sick and wounded, and water purification tablets to improve access to safe water for drinking and cooking.

As roads become more accessible, emergency response crews are encountering alarming new examples of the storm's destructive forces. More than 240,000 houses located in the path of the typhoon are completely destroyed and public sanitation is rapidly deteriorating. Emergency shelter and water are urgently needed, and emergency hygiene kits continue to be in great demand. Kit assembly instructions can be found on IOCC's website at www.iocc.org/kits

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan by making a financial gift to the Philippines Typhoon Disaster Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, Md. 21297-0429.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES

IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $438 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 140 churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and a member of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.–based secular and faith-based organizations working to improve the lives of the world's most poor and vulnerable populations. To learn more about IOCC, visit www.iocc.org.