November 19, 2013 — The Jesuit-run SLB, a social justice organization in the Philippines, has been working to make and transport thousands of relief packages in the week since Typhoon Haiyan wreaked havoc on the country. Every day from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., SLB volunteers have been putting together relief aid for victims. Volunteers include students, members of religious organizations, families and individuals looking for a way to help.

Culion, a former leper colony and a Jesuit mission area since 1906, is one of the areas where the SLB is focusing its relief efforts. The Jesuits in Culion have a parish with over 40 chapels scattered around the island and a school, Loyola College.

According to an SLB report, Jesuit Father Jody Magtoto, a parish priest in Culion, said food and water supplies are dwindling. As of late last week, the SLB had 2,000 relief packages ready for transport. Each relief sack includes rice, canned goods, water, clothes and hygiene kits — enough goods to last a family for three days.

The SLB is also serving other affected areas. “We want to cater to those areas which have not been served by government, where transport is available and if there are institutional partners,” an SLB report stated.

The SLB’s target for the coming days is to deliver upwards of 3,000 additional relief packs. 

After basic survival needs are met, the SLB will look toward longer-term rehabilitation projects, such as rehab housing projects in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and others. [Source: SLB]