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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has initiated humanitarian aid in the Philippines following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. According to The Associated Press, as of November 12, the death toll had reached at least 232, with most fatalities occurring in Cebu province.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Typhoon Tino, struck the central region of the Philippines on November 4. State forecaster Benison Estareja reported that the storm brought about one-and-a-half months’ worth of rainfall to Cebu and nearby provinces within a single day. The typhoon made landfall with wind speeds of 103 mph (Category 2), later intensifying to 126 mph (Category 3) before reaching Vietnam on November 6.
The Associated Press noted that more than 560,000 people were displaced by the typhoon in the Philippines, including nearly 450,000 who sought refuge in emergency shelters.
In response to the disaster, local leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints activated emergency plans. Relief efforts include distributing food, clean water, hygiene kits, water filtration buckets, and providing Starlink internet access. Nearly 90 church meetinghouses have been opened as temporary evacuation centers for affected residents; over 7,300 people have used these facilities for shelter. Eight meetinghouses sustained damage such as leaking roofs and flooding.
The Cebu City Philippines Temple experienced minor leakage but remains operational. Approximately 6,200 church members were impacted by the typhoon through home damage or property loss.
All missionaries serving in affected areas are safe and accounted for. Those assigned to severely impacted regions will temporarily stay at the Missionary Training Center in Manila until their accommodations are ready.
A statement from the Philippines Newsroom said: “There is still an urgent need for additional support, particularly for food, water, hygiene kits, transitional shelter, medicine, vitamins, generators and internet connectivity.”
The area presidency is coordinating closely with local church leaders and Cebu City officials to maintain ongoing support efforts.
This typhoon comes after a magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit Cebu and surrounding provinces on September 30. That event also prompted emergency action from church leaders. Additionally, church members provided assistance after Typhoon Co-may made landfall on July 25 by offering shelter and supplies.
Shortly after Typhoon Kalmaegi’s impact, another storm—Typhoon Fung-wong—crossed northwestern Philippines on Monday. This super typhoon caused further flooding and landslides with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and gusts up to 143 mph. Over one million people evacuated due to flood and landslide risks according to The Associated Press.
