Center dunes and burnt trees, the Taal volcano eruption on January 12 left a desolate landscape on Taal Island. Alert level 4 is still in effect: a new eruption could occur in the hours or days to come.

Residents of the island and neighboring areas, threatened by the volcano, had to evacuate. According to the Ministry of Social Protection and Development, more than 71,000 families (more than 280,000 people) have been affected. Among them, more than 39,000 families are temporarily sheltered in more than 490 evacuation centers.

Humanity & Inclusion’s team in the Philippines is assessing the needs of populations affected by the volcanic eruption in the Batangas and Cavite areas. According to our staff, people with disabilities and vulnerable individuals have not gone to the evacuation centers and are staying with relatives or friends. They therefore do not have access to basic services—access to health infrastructure, drinking water, food, etc.

The damage caused by the Taal volcano (soils buried by ash, smoke clouds) is likely to be long-lasting and to have a significant impact on agricultural land, livestock (many animals were killed), the access to drinking water and air quality.

Humanity & Inclusion is continuing the needs assessment and is considering an emergency response for the victims of the disaster.

Since Monday evening, December 1, Typhoon Kammuri has been battering the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated.

The violent typhoon hit the island of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, at about 11 p.m., local time, with wind up to 150 miles per hour.

The typhoon is expected to pass just south of the capital Manila, bringing torrential rains which are likely to cause flash floods and major landslides.

Assessing the damage

Humanity & Inclusion, present in the Philippines since 1985, is preparing to deploy a team to conduct a needs assessment following the disaster. Among their concerns, people with new injuries, those with disabilities, and older people; as well as aid routes that could be blocked by debris.

Humanity & Inclusion often mobilizes its emergency teams in response to the frequent natural disasters that hit the country. In particular, we intervened in following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018. Also, our teams have been supporting people displaced from a recent series of strong earthquakes. 

From October 16-31, the Philippines was hit by a series of earthquakes in Tulunan and North Cotabato, killing 21 people and injuring more than 400. Schools, homes, and health centers experienced extensive damage. An estimated 231,000 Filipinos were affected, including 36,000 evacuees, who are living in 32 evacuation centers. More than 1,000 schools have been damaged, affecting more than 3 million students.

Accessing aid

In early November, Humanity & Inclusion’s team completed a needs assessment, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals—people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant women. "Many people with disabilities cannot access distribution sites—for food, for example—some of which are remote,” explains Reiza Dejito, director of Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines. “And when they do, there is often a long line, which makes it very difficult for people with disabilities to access them. Hampering things is the fact that disaster-affected people also have little or no money. And if they do have money, to buy food, for instance, then they don’t have any kitchen utensils. Access to safe drinking water is also a real problem.” 

Protection

“Many houses have also been destroyed or damaged, so residents sleep in evacuation centers, in tents, or in makeshift shelters. It is very hot during the day and at night it rains. They need blankets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, etc. With so many people living outside, there is little privacy and one mother told us she had to change her son, who has a disability, in front of everyone. This creates problems around the protection of the most vulnerable people.”

Priorities

Humanity & Inclusion’s top priority is to meet the basic needs of disaster-affected people, including access to drinking water, shelter, and sanitation. We will also provide victims of this disaster with rehabilitation care and psychological support.

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

For more than 34 years, Humanity & Inclusion's teams in the Philippines have worked with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago, including a large-scale response to Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, killing more than 8,000 people and displacing more than four million from their homes. Present in the Philippines since 1985, HI immediately launched an emergency response to assist victims of the disaster which affected more than 15 million Filipinos.

Rehabilitation and psychological support

HI’s teams organized more than 1,500 rehabilitation sessions for people injured in the storm and provided psychological support to more than 800 injured or traumatized individuals.

Logistics platform

We also set up a logistics platform to transport more than 1,600 tons of food to people living in remote areas such as Tacloban and Palo.

Durable shelters

HI distributed more than 1,300 tents and helped rebuild more than 1,000 durable shelters with support from local carpenters in the provinces of Capiz and Leyte.

Financial support 

In addition, HI engaged 900 vulnerable people in southern Tacloban (Leyte province) to clear debris from public buildings (schools, etc.) and gave them financial support in return. The project helped better integrate these individuals in their communities and benefit financially. HI also helped 800 households set up a small business, such as a small grocery store, restaurant, pig farm, etc.

Safe spaces for children

In the eastern and western Visayas regions, our teams provided support to 50 child-friendly safe spaces where children with disabilities can learn and play.

Protection from the risks of natural disasters

HI distributed protection kits (solar lamps, rechargeable radios, etc.) and trained students and teachers from five schools[1] to protect themselves in the event of a natural disaster.

Today, HI continues to provide support to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the province of Capiz, by enabling them to benefit from vocational training and to restore their livelihoods (small restaurants, livestock breeding, etc.). HI helps the most vulnerable people protect themselves from the risk of natural disasters by providing them with information and help to prepare for these events.

HI regularly intervenes in the wake of natural disasters. We launched another emergency response in aid of victims of Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the northern Philippines in September 2018. Its teams hired more than 1,500 unskilled workers to conduct clearing work. They were also offered financial support.

HI runs other projects in the Philippines, including on cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes care, and inclusive employment for young people with disabilities. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

[1]In areas affected by Haiyan.

With financial help from Humanity & Inclusion, more than 1,500 people helped clear roads blocked by debris from Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines.

Following the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the northern Philippines on Sept. 14, HI traveled to the municipalities of Kalinga and Ifuago to identify the needs of disaster-affected people affected.

The typhoon destroyed or damaged more than one million acres of crops one month before harvest. In Pinukpuk, 90% of maize plantations and 60% of rice plantations were destroyed. The disaster hit farmers the hardest.

HI supplied relief in the municipality of Pinukpuk (Kalinga province), one of the worst affected areas. We distributed 80 clearance kits, consisting of wheelbarrows, shovels, knives, hammers, gloves, etc. to families in 23 villages. These kits were shared with villagers who will use them to clear roads and public areas. They benefited more than 40,000 people.

More than 1,500 workers were hired to support these clearance tasks (clearing roads, repairing pipes, etc.). These activities were carried out in close collaboration with local government units. "This project mobilizes a traumatized community around a collective project,” explains Reiza Dejito, Director of HI in the Philippines.

“It’s really positive. It strengthens ties and helps them overcome the shock of the disaster. All workers received a small sum of cash from HI in return, which they could use to buy food at the market. These actions are beneficial for everyone.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the Philippines on September 14, affected more than one million people. As part of our relief effort, Humanity & Inclusion is providing clearance kits to those affected and helping clear debris from roads.

HI emergency experts have assessed the needs of disaster victims in Kalinga and Ifuago provinces, in the Cordillera region.

"More than one million acres of farmland were destroyed or damaged in the Philippines,” explains Reiza Dejito, Director of HI in the Philippines. “In Pinukpuk, Cordillera, 90% of maize plantations and 60% of rice plantations were flattened. The most vulnerable individuals are people living in remote areas, who can no longer travel by road due to landslides, and farmers, people with disabilities, children and older people.

“Because rice and maize crops were destroyed on a massive scale, one of our priorities is to help farmers access new sources of income. Higher food prices make it vital to ensure affected people can access food. Another priority is to help communities quickly clear blocked roads and public areas.” 

Clearance kit distribution and financial support

HI’s team distributed clearance kits containing a wheelbarrow, shovel, knife, hammer, gloves, etc., to 80 families in Pinukpuk municipality. These kits will be used to clear roads and public areas, and they will be shared with everyone in the district. More than 400 workers will be hired to help support this work.

“We met with the head of the municipality who said he was very happy with this project, because he wants the roads cleared as soon as possible,” Reiza adds. “It’s also good for a community to work together on a joint project. This type of activity builds bridges and helps people overcome the trauma of the disaster. The workers will be able to buy food at the market with the money they earn, for example. It’s a project that makes a big difference to everyone.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the Philippines on Sept. 14., has killed 60 people and affected nearly one million others. Emergency specialists with Humanity & Inclusion are meeting with the victims of the disaster to identify their needs.

Florabel, 37, mother of two

"With my husband and two children, we heard that Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) was going to be very violent. The authorities advised us to leave our house and take refuge in one of the evacuation centers in the region. But because we weren't sure what to expect, we decided to stay home and barricade our house.

“When the typhoon hit, we all panicked. Our children were terrified. The wind was blowing very hard and the rain was pouring into the house. The next day, we saw the damage: half of our rice and maize crops had been destroyed just a month before harvest. We live off the land and don’t have much income. My husband borrowed money to buy fertilizer and seeds, so we have a loan to repay. We're scared now. How are we going to manage?"

Florabel and her family aren’t the only ones facing hardship in the province of Kalinga, where many people have lost their crops–their main source of income.

Today, HI’s emergency specialists travel to the Cordillera region with other humanitarian organizations to meet with victims, like Florabel, and help identify their needs. From there, they will prepare a possible emergency response.

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the northern Philippines on September 14, has killed more than 60 people and affected nearly one million others[1]. Some 50 people are still missing. Present in the Philippines since 1985, HI has dispatched emergency experts to the northern Cordillera region to assess the needs of typhoon victims.

"Today we visited the district of Liwan West and Pinukpuk,” explains Pierre-Louis Bercion, HI’s basic needs coordinator in Philippines. “There are a lot of uprooted trees and damaged houses, but the farms have taken the biggest hit: a lot of rice and maize plantations have been destroyed, just a month before harvest time. For people in rural areas, who live mainly off the land, it’s a disaster.”

Florabel, 37, a mother of two, lives in Liwan. “We mostly live off our land,” she says. “The day after the typhoon hit, nearly half of our crops were destroyed. We’re really worried.”

HI will continue its assessment mission, identifying other families affected by the typhoon, and preparing for a possible emergency response, in conjunction with local partners.

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

[1]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20180916%20Typhoon%20Mangkhut%20Update%20no%205%20FINAL.pdf

HI emergency workers have arrived in the northern Philippines to identify the needs of the victims of Typhoon Mangkhut and prepare our emergency response.

Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the Philippines on Sept. 14., has killed nearly 50 people and affected more than 4 million others. Rescue workers arrived in the north of the country, but roads blocked by landslides and floods have complicated their search for victims. Many lightly-built homes lost their roofs, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced to evacuation centers.

“Typhoon Mangkhut caused major floods and landslides,” Reiza Dejito, director of HI in the Philippines says. “People in rural areas are also very concerned about their rice and maize crops—their main sources of income—which have been badly damaged.

"HI emergency workers arrived in the north of the country on Monday to assess the needs of victims, particularly in terms of protection (shelter, etc.). We will then launch an emergency response in conjunction with our local partners. We also plan to distribute non-food kits to at least 2,000 households.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Humanity & Inclusion’s team is preparing to launch a potential emergency response following Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the Philippines this weekend. HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy.

Shirley, a mother of six

“We went to our neighbors’ house, because it’s built with concrete. That’s what we’ve always done when typhoons come. My sister carried me there because I am a polio survivor, and we waited for it to pass. But this time the wind was so strong that it barely resisted. We all stayed under a wooden table, holding on to it so that it didn’t fly away with everything else. The roof was torn away, parts of the walls collapsed; it was so scary.

“When it stopped, we saw that nothing was left around us, just debris of houses and fallen trees. Our house is completely destroyed, our crops too. My family grows cassava and bananas, and it is all gone. We will try to rebuild, but we have no money and we won’t be able to harvest anything for a year.” (Shirley lives in Giporlos in Eastern Samar)

Domingo, a former taxi driver

“Our house was completely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. When I was cleaning up the debris, I hurt my leg. I didn’t get it treated immediately and ended up not being able to walk. I’d been vaccinated for tetanus, but it wasn't enough. And it had to be amputated at the knee. It was a disaster. Fortunately, I came across HI’s teams, who gave me crutches and arranged for me to attend rehabilitation sessions.” (Domingo lives in Tacloban)

Oscar, the head of the family

"It was a total disaster. Our house was destroyed by coconut trees. It killed all of my animals—my only source of income. I lost my leg a few years ago due to Buerger's disease. After the typhoon, it was hard to walk up the slope. HI gave me some new crutches and arranged for me to have rehabilitation care. I was also given some pigs to breed so I could earn my living that way.” (Oscar lives in Barangay of San Diego)