MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES (December 20, 2011) – World Relief International uses Covenant World Relief (CWR) funds to provide initial relief in disaster areas where they have existing partnerships with local organizations.

Covenant World Relief funds already are being used to provide assistance on the Philippines island of Mindanao, which Typhoon Washi hammered on Friday. World Relief International is using the CWR funds to provide assistance through existing partnerships and local organizations in the Philippines.

More than a month’s worth of rain fell in a 24-hour period, according to news reports. The government said more than 950 people have been killed and more are still missing.

Survivors are facing severe food and water shortages. Nearly 50,000 people remain in public shelters.

The bodies of many who died and remain unidentified are being buried in mass graves to prevent the spread of disease, the government said. There also is a shortage of coffins to bury those who have been identified.