According to the Red Cross, 652 people were killed, and hundreds more are missing, after flash floods produced by Tropical Storm Washi ripped through the southern Philippine cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan during the night Friday, December 16, 2011. About 45,000 people are in evacuation centers.

We are so fortunate that this holiday period in Australia has been free of significant disasters, may we continue to enjoy 2012 free of these situations.

Unfortunatly for the Southern Philippines tropical storm Washi which hit late in 2011 caused much death and devastation in Mindanao. Worst affected were Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and also the Province of Misamis Oriental.

Affected areas are in Rotary District 3870 which is part of our Family of Rotary through our Regional Office in Parramatta. Regional Head Frank Pezzimenti will continue to keep us informed.

Many of our Rotarians were themselves victims of the inundation. We lost Rtn. Helen Amolata, the spouse of Assistant Governor Dario Amolata and Rotaract President Tish Yrastorza and her parents.

Communities in the severely affected areas are in dire need of help with the priorities being Drinking Water, Food, Medicines and Temporary Shelter.

DG Sam Fontanilla is seeking our support and will certainly appreciate any help from the rest of the Rotary world. The best and quickest way to aid is to send funds directly to the District.