Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2013 / 00:24 am
U.S. Bishops gathered at their fall general assembly in Baltimore were asked to hold a special collection for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which has caused devastation in Southeast Asia.
The number of fatalities has been estimated at 10,000 in the Philippines, where Typhoon Haiyan one of the largest storms in recorded history, struck on Nov. 8.
However, Dr. Carolyn Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, said reports on the ground suggest that this is "probably a very low estimate" because some areas are still inaccessible, and the damage there has not yet been assessed.
It is expected that 3 million people will be "very displaced" in the aftermath of the storm, and more than 9 million are believed to have been affected by the storm, she told the U.S. bishops, assembled on Nov. 11 for their annual fall meeting.