Cebu: The Archdiocese of Cebu on Thursday urged the faithful to open their homes to families affected by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi). In a heartfelt social media post, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy appealed to the community to ‘adopt’ displaced families and offer various forms of assistance.

According to Philippines News Agency, Archbishop Uy encouraged the faithful to reach out to families who have lost their homes and belongings, suggesting ways to help such as providing food, clothes, financial assistance, or emotional support. He emphasized the importance of walking with these families on their journey of rebuilding their lives.

The Catholic prelate also called for the organization of community soup kitchens to offer warm meals to affected individuals in evacuation centers or severely impacted barangays. Beyond shelter and food, Uy urged donations of clothes, towels, and toiletries, and suggested volunteering for medical missions, relief coordination, or rebuilding efforts. He advocated forming small teams to aid in repairing damaged chapels and homes, clearing debris, or repainting walls.

Archbishop Uy further highlighted the role of counselors, teachers, social workers, religious, and priests in providing psychological first aid and prayer encounters to survivors. He suggested offering grieving families short visits, shared prayers, or words of compassion. The community can also assist by repacking goods at designated drop-off points such as Parish Caritas or Cebu Caritas centers.

The head of the Archdiocese encouraged the faithful to offer Masses, pray rosaries, or hold holy hours for the victims and those aiding them. Cebu, one of the areas most devastated by the typhoon, has recorded 71 deaths according to the latest situation report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The province is currently under a state of calamity.