Leaders Offer Comfort, Support in Philippines

In February, 100 days after Typhoon Haiyan devastated Tacloban, Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, and Sister Carol F. McConkie, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, traveled to the disaster zone to offer support and comfort.

“I knew I needed to hug the sisters,” Sister Burton said. “I knew I couldn’t do much else, but I knew I needed to come to Tacloban and hug the people that I could.”

Typhoon Haiyan destroyed more than 1.1 million homes in the central Philippines, leaving more than 6,100 people dead, including 42 Latter-day Saints. Following the storm, the Church sent relief supplies and partnered with local and international organizations to assist with food, shelter, water purification, debris removal, and livelihood restoration.

Both Sister Burton and Sister McConkie reported that they found hope and optimism among the Saints, who are rebuilding their homes and strengthening their testimonies by serving each other.