A Teddington charity worker has returned from typhoon-struck Philippines where he helped deliver aid.
Matthew Carter heads the humanitarian department for the charity Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) and was on the ground to help with planning and logistics for delivering food, water and hygiene kits.
He said he was shocked by the level of destruction when he visited Leyte Island and the town of Palo, which was one of the towns worst hit by typhoon Haiyan.
He said: “In some ways, I found it more shocking than the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, which wiped away everything and left the land relatively clear.
“Here, it was more like a nuclear bomb had gone off – there was just debris everywhere.
“Driving west from Tacloban across the island, following the path of the storm, you could see that it had obliterated almost everything.”
Cafod’s typhoon Haiyan appeal has raised more than £2.5m so far, which means the charity’s partners and staff can continue working around the clock to reach those in need.
To find out more about Cafod’s work and to donate visit cafod.org.uk/Philippines.
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