We have received a report of a fire in Holy Spirit barangay, a community where our sponsorship program in Quezon City, Philippines, operates. Thirty-one families – including those of five sponsored children – were left homeless by the disaster; however, despite the tragedy of the loss of homes and property, we are thankful that no human casualties have been reported.

We have also received preliminary reports of a second fire in a neighboring community, but as of yet we have no information regarding damages.

The local government, neighbors and Children International staff members are working to meet the basic needs of the victims of the fire. Our agency is prepared to help immediately with essential household items and school supplies for the families, who are staying in temporary shelters ranging from tents to neighbors’ homes, and even jeepneys (small, bus-like vehicles used as public transportation).

After the families’ immediate needs are met, our agency staff will survey the damage and create lists of the construction materials that will be needed to rebuild the homes of the affected sponsored children.

It is Children International’s policy to notify sponsors immediately once it has been ascertained that their sponsored children have been affected by a disaster.

A mother and child stand next to the charred remains of their home.

The fire left behind little or nothing that was salvageable.

This home was left nothing more than a pile of blackened timbers and twisted metal.