Samaritan’s Purse is preparing to respond to Super Typhoon Hagupit, forecast to hit the central Philippines early Saturday morning local time (Friday in the U.K.). The storm is gathering strength with sustained winds of 150 mph and gusts up to 185 mph.

Typhoon Hagupit (known as Ruby in the Philippines) is on track to make landfall in Tacloban—the same region that was devastated in November 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan. Thousands of people in the area still live in temporary shelters and tents. Evacuations are already under way.

Currently a Category 5 storm, Hagupit is not as strong as Haiyan, but still one of the most powerful storms of the year. Its impact could bring damaging winds and flooding, with storm surges up to one story high.

Samaritan’s Purse responded in the immediate aftermath of Haiyan last year. Our staff based in Tacloban continues to help storm victims recover by providing shelter, trainings on construction techniques, clean water, hygiene education, and provision of latrines, among other aid.

In partnership with the local church, we have supplied Bibles and offered discipleship courses to help reach communities with spiritual care and support.

Please pray:

• For protection over the Philippines and the many people who are still healing physically and emotionally.
• For the ministry of our staff – that God would use the seeds planted over the past year to bring people to faith in Christ.