The Catholic Church in the country on Thursday appealed for aid for the victims of the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck parts of Luzon on Wednesday.

The Caritas Philippines launched the “Alay Kapwa para sa Northern Luzon” fund drive which aims to support efforts in addressing the immediate needs of earthquake victims.

Cash donations may be deposited in its Metrobank account with Account Name CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation Inc. and account number 632-7-632-02719-9.

The social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, Caritas Manila, is also accepting cash and in-kind donations.

“Caritas Manila calls for donations to provide relief assistance to our brothers and sisters affected by the Magnitude 7.3 earthquake that hit Luzon. Their immediate needs are food packs, bottled water, hygiene kits, tents, sleeping mats, blankets and solar lamps,” it said in a statement.

The faithful may give in-kind donations through Caritas Manila’s portals or may visit https://www.caritasmanila.org.ph/online-cash-donation/ for cash donations.

For other inquiries, the public may call/dial 8562 0020 to 25 local 118, 139, 135, or 0917-595-5083.

The social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and its social action centers affected by the tremor will deploy emergency teams to further assess the damaged communities, and to see how the Catholic Church can best respond to the most urgent needs.

Aside from houses, roads and buildings, churches were among structures that were destroyed by the earthquake that severely hit the province of Abra and other parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, and Cagayan Valley. (PNA)