Another scene of devastation is unfolding in Southeast Asia as residents of the Philippines assess the damage of Super Typhoon Haiyan. The storm, which was equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, is estimated to have killed at least 10,000 people and destroyed 200,000 homes. As of Nov. 12, however, much of the extent of the devastation still wasn’t known, and relief organizers feared the estimated number of fatalities only will grow.

What is known, though, is that in this particularly vulnerable part of the world, Filipinos need help picking up the pieces. The storm, which packed 195-mph winds, hit land with the impact of a tornado just four weeks after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked the central part of the archipelago. The October disaster alone destroyed nearly 9,000 homes andand assurances of prayers via a telegram signed by Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. In it, he expressed “heartfelt solidarity” with the people affected.

“He is especially mindful of those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and of those who have lost their homes,” Archbishop Parolin wrote. “In praying for all the people of the Philippines, the Holy Father likewise offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they assist the victims of this storm. He invokes divine blessings of strength and consolation for the nation.”

The pope also encouraged both concrete and prayerful assistance for our suffering brothers and sisters. He, too, sent $150,000 to the Philippines through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum for human and Christian development. The Catholic bishops in the