More on the Philippines

GUINOBATAN, Philippines, Dec 8, 2006 (AFP) - Medical aid was rushed to squalid Philippine evacuation sites Friday amid dire warnings that poor sanitation could trigger an outbreak of disease among hundreds of mudslide survivors.

Babies and children sleep on the damp wooden floors of the elementary school turned into a temporary shelter for nearly 100 families in the township of Guinobatan in the eastern Bicol region, where entire villages were swept away by volcanic debris last week.

Yet these unfortunates are relatively lucky. When supertyphoon Durian hit last week, it created avalanches of volcanic mud that left more than 1,300 people dead or missing. >> Continued

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Coordinator has announced that anyone who would like to help will be trained in disaster relief techniques.

Volunteers are needed as are donations.

Visit www.volunteerministers.org for more information on how you can help.