The Adventist Development and Relief Agency in the Philippines is coordinating relief efforts following Typhoon Bopha’s slam Tuesday on the southern island of Mindanao.

More than 500 people have died and an estimated 310,000 people have lost their homes, The Associated Press reported today. The number keeps rising as destroyed roads to isolated towns and villages reopen for rescue vehicles.

One Adventist church member is confirmed dead. Nearly 20 Adventist churches sustained severe damage. Local church officials in the Davao Mission are still awaiting reports on the extent of casualties from areas where vehicles have yet to reach. 

ADRA and personnel from the Davao Adventist Hospital began distribution of clothing, drinking water and food on Wednesday. An extensive response is scheduled to begin today in one the hardest hit areas – New Bataan, in the province of Davao Del Norte.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Southern Philippines Union Conference is launching a campaign to help fund relief efforts. ADRA International is also receiving donations to its Emergency Response Fund for the effort.