Wagga community rallies for flood victims

On December 16, flood water from a tropical storm described to have the strength of a tsunami claimed the lives of more than 1000 in the Philippines' southern ports of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan on Mindanao Island.

While thousands of kilometres away the disaster has hit the Filipino community hard.

Erlinda Pollack is still coming to terms with the loss of her sister, while others like Patrick Caumban and Lilia Turner are counting their blessings all their family members are safe.

"My parents and my two brothers were there, but they are all safe," Mr Caumban said.

"But there the water was waist-high."

Holy Trinity Church assistant priest Father Thomas Casanova said the Filipino community will be dealing with the tragedy for months to come with long term concerns about health care and housing.

"When you see something like this happen in the news, it's there for a few days, but in reality to goes on for months afterwards," he said. "There are 1000 dead and there are thousands who are displaced living in slums along the sides of the roads. This area wasn't prepared for it because it is usually spared by these sorts of disasters,"

The church gathered together for customary pre-dawn masses as a part of Filipino culture called Misa de Gallo in the lead up to Christmas to pray for their loved ones and those affected. Now they are praying the Wagga community will assist them in donating much needed items to be shipped to the Philippines in the coming weeks.

"We'd like people to stop off clothing, second-hand or new, but it has to be summer clothes," Father Casanova said.

"Children's clothes especially, but adults as well."

The group are also hoping for donations of towels and sheets.

The donations will be send free of charge by transport company LBCexpress.

Donations can be dropped off at the church by arrangement on 6931 3601.