KATHMANDU, Nepal--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 29, 2026--
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), under the leadership of Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, has extended humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods that caused widespread loss of life and extensive destruction across affected communities.
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Through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, a dedicated Church delegation traveled to Nepal to personally convey the Church's solidarity with the Nepalese people and extend financial assistance for ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation provided US$200,000, equivalent to approximately NPR 30.556 million, which was formally turned over in Kathmandu to Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle for the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.
The assistance comes as Nepal continues to confront the devastating consequences of severe flooding, including loss of lives, missing persons, displacement, and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, roads, bridges, agricultural lands, schools, hospitals, and hydropower facilities.
The scale of the destruction has been described as unprecedented. Accounts shared in connection with the disaster response characterized the flood as resembling a tsunami, with floodwaters moving with extraordinary speed through areas where communities depended on rivers and surrounding lands for their homes and livelihoods.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the disaster has inflicted severe economic and physical damage. Thousands of homes were reportedly swept away, while critical infrastructure and agricultural areas suffered extensive destruction. The resulting reconstruction and recovery requirements are expected to be substantial.
Speaking during the assistance turnover, representatives of the Nepalese government expressed appreciation for the Iglesia Ni Cristo's contribution and its gesture of solidarity with the people of Nepal.
The assistance was welcomed as an expression of common humanity, particularly as Nepal undertakes rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts.
Government representatives also thanked Brother Eduardo V. Manalo for considering Nepal's urgent needs and directing humanitarian assistance to the country, despite the Philippines facing its own disasters and humanitarian challenges.
The Nepalese officials emphasized that the Church's decision to extend assistance was deeply appreciated by the Nepalese people and described the contribution as generous and meaningful to the country's disaster-relief efforts.
For the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the humanitarian mission reflects its continuing commitment to extend compassion and practical assistance to people affected by disasters, regardless of nationality or religious affiliation. Through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation and its Care for Humanity initiatives, the Church has provided humanitarian assistance in communities affected by natural disasters and other hardships in various parts of the world.
The Nepal mission likewise demonstrated that humanitarian solidarity can transcend borders, bringing people together in times of profound suffering.
“ We are all working to advance the common humanity. ”
The Iglesia Ni Cristo remains committed to standing with communities affected by calamities and to extending assistance, compassion, and hope to those facing the difficult road toward recovery.
About the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation
The Felix Y. Manalo Foundation is the humanitarian arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). Its programs include disaster relief and assistance, education, public health, livelihood development, environmental initiatives, and other community-focused efforts.
SOURCE NOTE
Humanitarian response details and quotations in this release are based on the Iglesia Ni Cristo Nepal humanitarian mission video and transcript provided for this release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by2JHcn3rHs
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Nepalese government officials and Church representatives: Nepalese government officials receive humanitarian assistance from the Iglesia Ni Cristo as the country continues relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts following widespread flooding. In photo from left to right: Ramesh KC (Himalaya TV), Rebika Chhetri (Journalist and TV Host), Suraj Vaidya (Honorary Consul General of the Philippines to Nepal), Shyam Kadel (Executive Director, Himalaya TV), Willen Regalado (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Thailand), Swarnim Wagle (Minister of Finance, Nepal), Randy Fatallo (Minister of the Gospel), Edwin Estrellado (Asst. Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Thailand), Caesar Vallejos (President, NET25)
PUERTO SAN CARLOS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Polo pummeled the Mexican state of Baja California Sur with powerful winds and rain as it made landfall Tuesday, leaving coastal areas flooded and streets littered with fallen trees.
The Category 2 hurricane struck land just south of Las Barrancas, Mexico, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lazaro with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph).
About 700 people remained in shelters Tuesday. But they were expected to return to their homes, and no serious damage or deaths were immediately reported, according to authorities.
After the hurricane passed over the small fishing town of Puerto San Carlos on the Baja California peninsula, residents waded among downed trees through ankle-high water that flooded some homes. Seeing their roughened community largely intact brought relief to those who had prepared for the worst.
Shopkeeper Elbia María Bachomo, 40, picked through furniture strewn through her home. She and her three children had gathered their clothes quickly and left for a shelter Monday as water began flooding into their home.
Her husband was out on the water fishing for sardines when Polo hit. Bachomo said he was fortunate to escape alive.
“I thought, ‘Oh no, what are we going to come back to? We will be left with nothing.’ But we were lucky,” she said.
Polo was expected to produce 6 to 12 inches (about 15 to 30 centimeters) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur. By late Tuesday morning, a weakened Polo made a second landfall and moved inland in the Mexican state of Sonora after crossing the Gulf of California.
Forecasters predicted Polo would hit the Mexican mainland with life-threatening winds and flash floods. Sonora officials suspended all “nonessential” activities, including school, sports and nonessential work in the state capital and more than a dozen municipalities.
Meanwhile, the hurricane center reported Tropical Storm Rachel was moving parallel to Mexico's coast early Tuesday. The storm was about 265 miles (425 kilometers) southwest of Lazaro Cardenos with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).
Bands of rain continued to sweep across the U.S. Southwest on Tuesday, causing desert rivers to surge and usually dry arroyos to rage with floodwater. Nearly all of the region was under flood watches as the complex system of tropical weather — with Polo the main event — spread northeast from Mexico.
Forecasters warned north-central New Mexico including Albuquerque and Santa Fe could feel the brunt, with as much as 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 centimeters) of rain through Wednesday and possibly more.
“Definitely looking at the chances for urban flooding,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Carter Greulich in Albuquerque. “Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Remain out of the arroyos, especially in our urban areas.”
The system made a brisk pass through Phoenix early Tuesday, dumping up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain before tapering. North of the city, a truck was swept away in a wash in the New River area. The driver got out safely, Maricopa County sheriff’s officials said.
The rocky, desert area typically gets less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain annually with little vegetation to soak it up, making flash flooding a perpetual risk.
Near Zion National Park in Utah, the East Fork of the Virgin River raged with chocolate floodwater seen carrying a shipping container downstream.
In the small town of Orderville, Utah, where flooding began Monday night, Sabrina Dubay was driving home when her partner called and told her to stay away.
“The river came in and swept around the entirety of our house,” Dubay said, adding that her partner told her, “We’re about to lose everything.”
A camper, snowmobile trailer, and other items from Dubay’s yard were swept away by the river. Neighbors and friends arrived to dig a trench around the house as the water rose around their home.
“It was coming in through our front doors,” she said.
Flooding also was reported in southern New Mexico. An unusually soggy September across the region set the stage: When the ground is saturated, rainfall has nowhere to go but run off.
“Runoff is likely going to start much quicker and lead to those flooding impacts quicker,” Greulich said.
Forecasters said the flood risk would move into parts of the central U.S. beginning late Tuesday and into Wednesday. Starting late Wednesday, widespread heavy rain was expected to hit the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio areas. Life-threatening flash flooding was possible, with low-lying areas especially vulnerable.
Parts of west Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa were under flood watch through Thursday, with some areas expecting up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain.
In the central Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Nolo remained a dangerous Category 3 hurricane on Tuesday as it edged away from Hawaii after drenching parts of the Big Island over the weekend.
Pacific storm activity has been above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season. That pattern is consistent with El Niño years, when the Pacific often sees more tropical storms and hurricanes.
Nolo was about 270 miles (435 kilometers) south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) moving north, at 9 mph (15 kph).
The hurricane was approaching Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a marine conservation area, according to the hurricane center.
Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Eduardo Verdugo in Puerto San Carlos, Mexico, Julie Walker in New York, Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado, Mikella Schuettler in Phoenix, Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Eugene Garcia and Gregory Bull in Hilo, Hawaii, contributed to this report.
An uprooted tree lies on the ground after the passing of Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A resident retrieves belongings from their home that was damaged by Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Vehicles drive in the rain on the I-10 with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) warning signs displayed along the route, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A man carries items through floodwater past downed electric lines after the passing of Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A resident enters his home surrounded by water brought by Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Workers pull a boat to shore as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
People evacuate their homes as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Residents are evacuated by the Army as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
People evacuate their homes as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Workers pull a boat to shore as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
