Nature-based Solutions Strengthen Climate Resilience in Zamboanga City

/by

ZAMBOANGA CITY ─ Momentum for environmental restoration is rising in Barangay Kasanyangan, where EARTH Champions and community representatives carried out another major mangrove rehabilitation and clean-up effort on November 30, 2025—further strengthening the barangay’s defenses against climate risks. The initiative advances ongoing community-led efforts to restore damaged ecosystems due to the relocated population affected by the Zamboanga Siege back in 2013.

This activity supports Zamboanga City’s Central Mangrove Management Plan, which prioritizes the protection and rehabilitation of coastal areas to enhance climate resilience, enrich biodiversity, and reduce exposure to flooding, storm surges, and tsunamis.

During the event, volunteers planted 1,500 mangrove propagules, helping stabilize the shoreline and improve habitat conditions for marine species.

Kali Halima, Monitoring Officer of Barangay Kasanyangan shared, “each tree we plant and every piece of trash we remove helps build a healthier, more sustainable future.”

In addition to planting, EARTH Champions collected 15 sacks of non-biodegradable waste—52 kilograms in total—from the mangrove roots and intertidal zone.

In photo: EARTH champions collecting waste during the clean-up drive in Barangay Kasanyangan, last November 30. Photo by Roberto Saballero, Jr.

This clean-up addressed persistent pollution that hinders mangrove growth and disrupts the balance of the coastal ecosystem. The activity demonstrated strong community stewardship and the growing commitment of residents to care for their environment.

“Each tree we plant and every piece of trash we remove helps build a healthier, more sustainable future.”  — Kali Halima

Strengthening waste management through local action

A significant development under the EARTH Project in Zamboanga City is the improved system for waste collection in Kasanyangan and Rio Hondo. Initially, the city’s Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) supported waste collection during clean-up drives, but as city-wide clean-up operations intensified, regular collection at the EARTH project site became difficult to maintain.

Previously, the community relied on a smaller truck for waste collection. Recognizing this gap, the barangay local government unit of Kasanyangan purchased a solid waste dump truck to ensure consistent waste collection and prevent accumulated debris from returning to rehabilitated areas. It took an additional month to mobilize personnel, including a dedicated truck driver and waste collectors.

Volunteer mobilization has likewise grown significantly. Recent clean-up drives have gathered as many as 304 volunteers, including EARTH Champions, barangay officials, community members, and 4Ps beneficiaries. This expanded participation demonstrates how the EARTH Project has strengthened community ownership of waste management and environmental protection—ensuring that rehabilitation gains are not undermined by unmanaged solid waste. “By working together, we can make a meaningful impact one step at a time,” Kali added.

In photo: The EARTH campions take a group photo before the clean=up drive and mangrove planting. Photo by Roberto Saballero, Jr.

What are EARTH Champions?

A central focus of the EARTH Project is empowering community members to lead and sustain environmental initiatives. EARTH Champions are residents organized through the Community Savings Groups (CSGs), either established or supported by the project. While CSGs function as savings and resilience mechanisms, they also serve as platforms for environmental advocacy, enabling members to promote nature-based solutions at the barangay level.

Trained in solid waste management and environmental monitoring, the EARTH Champions are mobilizing their neighbors, supporting restoration activities, and championing responsible environmental practices. Throughout the course of the project, these champions will also be trained on mangrove nursery management and water conservation. Their leadership ensures that the project’s outcomes are community-driven, locally owned, and sustained beyond the project cycle.

Participation in the barangay’s mangrove enrichment and clean-up drive continues to expand. The latest effort saw more than 40 new EARTH Champions, alongside returning volunteers and barangay representatives. This growing engagement reflects the strengthening capacity of residents, who are not only contributing to restoration efforts but are also emerging as advocates for long-term environmental protection in their community.

 

Why these efforts matter

Beyond the numbers, these efforts are crucial because mangroves serve as natural barriers that protect coastal communities from storm surges, erosion, and flooding—hazards that are becoming more frequent due to climate change. By planting local mangrove species such as Bakauan Babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bakauan Lalaki (Rhizophora apiculate) and Bangkauan Bato or Bangkaw (Rhizophora stylosa), volunteers are helping restore a vital ecosystem that supports marine biodiversity, and strengthens community livelihoods.

By removing waste and restoring degraded areas, EARTH Champions and community volunteers are not only protecting their coastline but also ensuring that future generations benefit from a more stable, productive, and climate-resilient environment. These activities show how small, consistent actions can collectively rebuild ecosystems that shield and sustain coastal communities.

In photo: EARTH champions plant the mangrove propagules in Barangay Kasanyangan, last November 30. Photo by Roberto Saballero, Jr.

About EARTH

The Environmental Actions for Resilience and Transformative Humanitarian Interventions (EARTH) project is a pilot initiative that integrates environmental safeguarding and restoration strategies into humanitarian action in the cities of Zamboanga and Malabon. Implemented by Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, and ACCORD, and funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, the two-year, community-led project strengthens urban resilience through people-centered, multisectoral, nature-based solutions.

EARTH promotes a nature-based solution model that integrates mangrove reforestation, solid waste management, water conservation, and sustainable livelihoods—reducing environmental risks while restoring vital ecosystems.

Written by: Joyce Sandajan
Contributors: Roberto Saballero, Jr. and Vanessa Matuguina
Edited by: Philipp Danao

When water runs out: Children’s hygiene at risk after Typhoon Tino

/by

TALISAY CITY, CEBU — Before Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) hit their community on November 3, Karylle, 23, and Sharon, 35, together with more than 90 displaced families, sought refuge in the old public market of Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu. While this pre-emptive evacuation has kept them safe, they have since been living in tents at the market-turned-evacuation center for a month now after Typhoon Tino destroyed their homes. Now, they are waiting to be relocated to a safer area where they can rebuild their homes.

Karylle and Sharon, both residents of Sitio Tiguib in Barangay Lagtang, have grown close over the years and are practically family. Karylle, a full-time stay-at-home parent, first met Sharon through her partner, who is Sharon’s nephew. Today, their bond is even stronger as both families now share a single tent in the old public market, which has been converted into an evacuation site for displaced households.

For Karylle, this is her first time experiencing displacement. Sharon, on the other hand, has already been displaced three times, especially since her house was destroyed by Typhoon Odette (Rai) back in December 2021.

Together, they manage a household of seven, including two children, all sharing one small tent as they navigate the challenges of living in the evacuation center.

In the photo: Karylle, together with her baby, shares her experience at the evacuation center at the old public market in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu—photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Daily life in the evacuation center is extremely challenging. Space is minimal, making it uncomfortable and difficult to move, especially at night when everyone is lying down, and the tent becomes crowded as all family members try to sleep.

During the day, it becomes very hot, while at night it gets cold. Noise from other families, children crying, people talking, and constant movement throughout the night make it almost impossible for anyone to rest.

“The baby cannot sleep well, which keeps everyone awake,” Karylle states. She adds, “For the children, the biggest challenge in the evacuation center is getting proper rest so they can wake up early for school, but the crowded conditions not only in the tent but in the evacuation center make this nearly impossible.”

Providing enough food and clean water has been a constant challenge. In the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, the government and humanitarian organizations provided support, but the scale of the community’s needs far exceeded the scope of initial assistance.

“Here in the evacuation center, I have to wash my baby with wipes when we have no water. I have no choice.” – Karylle

Access to water in the old public market is limited. There is only one faucet for hundreds of people, and the water is not always running. Some days, they go without water entirely. Even taking a shower has become a daily struggle.

“Here in the evacuation center, I have to wash my baby with wipes when we have no water. I have no choice,” explains Karylle, holding her baby.

Regarding water quality, they add, “We do not know whether the water is clean or not. We drink it daily. We have no choice.”

Families often bathe fully clothed in front of others due to the lack of privacy, which makes both Karylle and Sharon feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. “I am very shy, and I do not like people looking at me while I take a shower. But I have no choice,” says Karylle.

With only two bathrooms for hundreds of people, long waits are common, especially during the night.

“We do not know whether the water is clean or not. We drink it daily. We have no choice.”

After Typhoon Tino, the children missed almost three weeks of classes, and they continue to skip school because they rarely have clean clothes to wear. “Washing clothes is almost impossible. The pile of unwashed clothing grows daily, including the children’s school uniforms,” Karylle says, pointing to a pile of clothes in the corner of their tent.

 

She explains that they often wash clothes at the only faucet in the evacuation center at night to avoid long queues in the morning. However, the uniforms rarely dry by morning, leaving the children with nothing to wear to school.

“When we have our period, often we do not wash ourselves at all. It is impossible when you have no privacy, and you must take a shower with clothes on,”

In the photo: Sharon receives water and hygiene kits from UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, at the old public market in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu—photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Menstruation poses an even bigger challenge for women in the evacuation center. Both explain that maintaining proper hygiene becomes difficult because there is little privacy, leaving them with no safe space to wash or clean themselves. They rely on disposable pads, but without a private area, they often feel uncomfortable. At times, Karylle and Sharon also feel embarrassed because some people make remarks when they notice women are on their period, adding emotional strain to an already stressful situation.

“When we have our period, often we do not wash ourselves at all. It is impossible when you have no privacy, and you must take a shower with clothes on,” states Karylle.

Basic hygiene supplies and access to clean water make an enormous difference for families who have lost their homes and belongings. In moments of crisis, even the simplest items become essential for staying healthy and maintaining dignity. The water and hygiene kits provided by UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), have been crucial for Karylle’s household and for many other families now living in the old public market after Typhoon Tino.

In the photo: Karylle’s partner receives water and hygiene kits from UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, at the old public market in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu—photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

“I cannot mention just one important item in the kits. All the items are important, including the jerrycan,” Karylle shares. She adds that the towels are especially valuable for caring for their baby, since these items are expensive and difficult to afford in the evacuation center. The kit also includes chlorine tablets, which they use to purify water and make it safe for drinking and daily use—another lifeline for families trying to stay healthy in these conditions.

This support aims to help families like Karylle’s maintain better hygiene for themselves and their children, while allowing them to redirect the money they would have spent on hygiene items toward buying food.

In the photo: Action Against Hunger staff show the hygiene kits’ towels to families about to receive them at the old public market in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu—photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

To earn a bit of income, Sharon does laundry and washes clothes for others at the evacuation center whenever water is available. Karylle focuses on caring for their baby, while her partner works in construction, although jobs have become irregular and scarce because few people can afford to hire workers at this time. With limited income opportunities, supporting the family has become increasingly complex.

When asked about their critical needs, both agree that housing materials are essential for building proper shelters. Their hope for the future is simple: “My hope for the future is to have my own house.”

 

Written by Martina Vercoli
Edited by Joyce Sandajan

Surviving the Quake: The Sinangote Family’s Story of Survival

/by

SAN REMIGIO, CEBU  ─  On the night of September 30, 2025, Henry and Tessie Sinangote were at their small sari-sari or sundry store by the beach in Purok Sineguelas of Barangay Tambongon when the earth began to shake violently. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City changed their lives in a matter of minutes.

“When the earthquake happened, it was around 9:55 p.m., and it lasted for maybe a couple of minutes, but it felt longer. When it stopped, Henry went straight home,” Tessie recalls. Only three of their four children were home as one was working in Cebu City.

“We were calling out to the other children, but they weren’t answering. We felt hopeless. We thought they were gone.” – Tessie Sinangote

Henry and Tessie shared that at the time of the incident, the eldest and the youngest were in the bedroom, while the other was working online in a separate room. When the earthquake hit, the walls of the bedroom collapsed. “My other son, who was awake and working at the time, managed to get out, but the other two children who were sleeping were left buried by the debris,” Tessie says, her voice shaking. “When Henry and I got to the house, we were calling out to the other children, but they weren’t answering. We felt hopeless. We thought they were gone.”

For almost an hour, the family and relatives worked to lift the debris. “Luckily, our nieces and nephews were there to help because we couldn’t move the walls ourselves. I told them to get wood or anything to help lift the heavy cement. We all worked together, and ultimately, we managed to save my two children,” Henry recalls.

A parent’s nightmare

The youngest, thankfully, did not sustain any injuries. However, the eldest child had minor wounds and what they thought was a potential head injury at the time after he had shielded his sibling when the house was collapsing. Their neighbors all helped and brought them to the hospital, but by the time they arrived, patients and health workers had already evacuated outside due to the aftershocks.

Tessie stayed with her eldest at the hospital, but the ordeal did not end there. “We were outside and it started raining. People kept arriving, many were injured, and we even saw the body bags,” she shared. She said she cannot forget the fear she felt when she thought her child could have been among the casualties. “When our children weren’t responding to our screams, we thought they were no longer alive. They could easily have been one of the cases brought in that night. The trauma for a parent seeing that is unimaginable.”

In photo: Sinangote family’s home, now a pile of rubble and debris, after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of Tessie Sinangote.

Fleeing to safety: Evacuation and temporary shelter

Meanwhile, Henry and the other two children went to the San Remigio evacuation site, which is now referred to as “tent city” due to the evacuation tents. Because of tsunami alerts, evacuees had to move to higher ground. This meant they had to stay the night in makeshift tents made from tarpaulins. “We barely slept that night. It was wet because of the rain, uncomfortable, and we were constantly worried about aftershocks and a possible tsunami,” Henry remembers.

Afterward, they were moved to one of the evacuation tents and later to a smart house provided by the government. “Until now, we have been staying in the smart house. On weekdays, it’s just five of us; on weekends, when our third child comes home, all six of us share the small space along with our one dog,” Tessie says.

Henry still visits their damaged home occasionally to care for the dogs left behind. “In our purok, almost everything was destroyed—not just our home. Many houses were unsafe to return to, and sinkholes had formed,” Tessie recalls. The landscape of the sitio has been permanently altered, with numerous homes beyond repair and several hazardous sinkholes scattered throughout the area.

“I thought of the birds—they don’t worry about where they’ll get food, but they survive until now. That’s how I think of our situation. I try not to worry too much about our struggles and just take it day by day.”

Life Before Disaster: Livelihood and Daily Life

Before the earthquake, the Sinangotes ran a small sari-sari store near the beach, depending on tourists and beachgoers for income. “Our store would earn well whenever there were a lot of tourists. But we can’t go back because the beach is not allowed to operate due to sinkholes,” Tessie explains.

Their daily income, averaging around 300 pesos (approximately 4.80 euros), was previously enough to cover food and household expenses. Now, with no steady source of livelihood, the family relies on financial support from friends and relatives and sometimes even has to borrow money to get by.

Despite the loss, Tessie reflects on their past with warmth. “Our home lasted 25 years, and all our memories are there. But the earthquake taught us that concrete isn’t always safe. We’ll have to think differently if we rebuild.”

In photo: Tessie stand outside the temporary smart home provided by the government. The smart home is where they will live for at most a year since their home was totally damaged by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September 30, 2025. (Photo by Joyce Sandajan for Action Against Hunger)

Essential support: Humanitarian aid from ACCESS

In the aftermath of the quake, the Sinangote family and many others affected received vital support through the ACCESS program, funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). With homes destroyed and water systems heavily damaged, many families were left without even the most basic necessities.

Within days, Action Against Hunger, as one of the implementing partners of ACCESS, together with the Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), provided WASH kits to affected households and installed a temporary water tank at the evacuation site. This tank was supplied regularly through water trucking to ensure families could access safe water. The ACCESS team also worked with the Pangi Water Service Cooperative (Pawasco) and local authorities to deliver water trucking services to hard-hit communities whose pipelines and water sources had been disrupted.

In photo: Henry makes his way to the water tank built by Action Against Hunger as part of the ACCESS emergency response, with funding from the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. (Photo by Joyce Sandajan for Action Against Hunger)

Tessie recalls how these early interventions helped them get through the most difficult days. “We received water and hygiene kits from ACCESS, which were very helpful,” she says. “The water tank at the evacuation site was very close to us, so that we could use it easily. The hygiene kits were a huge help because we had nothing at the time. We didn’t even have a bucket, so those items were really a big help.”

Although relief distributions are less frequent now than they were during the first days after the disaster, the family still receives occasional government support, such as food and basic supplies. “For now, we still have relief goods. They help us survive while we figure out the next steps,” Tessie adds.

“We received water and hygiene kits from ACCESS, which were very helpful…the water tank at the evacuation site was very close to us, so that we could use it easily. The hygiene kits were a huge help because we had nothing at the time. We didn’t even have a bucket, so those items were really a big help.”

For camp coordinator Pamila of the evacuation site in San Remigio, the situation of the Sinangotes reflects the experience of many displaced families. She explains that continued humanitarian assistance remains essential. “Many internally displaced persons have similar stories. Organizations like Action Against Hunger and ACCESS partners are vital.”

Facing the Unknown: Life After the Quake

Life after the quake is filled with uncertainty. The smart house is temporary, and relocation plans remain unclear. “Right now, it hasn’t sunk in whether we can stand again after one year. If this is a no-build zone, we’ll have to find another place to build a house,” Tessie says.

Their livelihood cannot restart until the beaches are open and safe again. Relatives have offered financial help, which the family is saving to reopen their sari-sari store.

Despite everything, hope persists. Tessie draws strength from positivity and faith. “I thought of the birds—they don’t worry about where they’ll get food, but they survive until now. That’s how I think of our situation. I try not to worry too much about our struggles and just take it day by day.” She prays for clarity and strength to rebuild. “I hope we can have work. It’s not easy to go back to zero. No house, no belongings. But thankfully, many gave us help, things we could use.”

Henry and Tessie continue to navigate daily life under difficult circumstances. Their story is a stark reminder of the long road to recovery that families face after disasters, where survival often means managing what little is left and making difficult decisions about the future.

In photo: Henry and Tessie stand outside the temporary smart home provided by the government. The smart home is where they will live for at most a year since their home was totally damaged by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September 30, 2025. (Photo by Joyce Sandajan for Action Against Hunger)

ABOUT THE RESPONSE

The ACCESS Emergency Response provided urgent support to communities affected by the successive impacts of Tropical Cyclones Mirasol (Mitag), Nando (Ragasa), Opong (Bualoi), the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, and the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck offshore Cebu on 30 September 2025. Across Bicol, Northern Luzon, BARMM, and northern Cebu, the response delivers water, sanitation, and hygiene support; shelter and settlements support; multi-purpose cash assistance; and protection services.

ACCESS is a European Cilvil Protection and Humanitarian Aid-funded project serving the most affected and underserved communities in the Philippines, where chronic armed conflict, natural hazards, recurrent displacement, and intensifying climate-related risks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. It is implemented by a consortium of 14 local and international organizations: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN), Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women).

 

Written by: Joyce Sandajan

When Disasters Hit the Mountains: Beatriz’s Story from an Isolated Indigenous Community

/by

PORAC, PAMPANGA ─ Living in a geographically isolated upland area, the Aeta community of Sitio Pidpid in Barangay Sapang Uwak, faces daily challenges in meeting basic needs—especially access to food, clean water, and a stable income. When climate disasters hit, these struggles become even more difficult to overcome.

Beatriz, 75, who has spent her entire life in Sitio Pidpid and knows these hardships by heart, shares her story: the challenges she faced during the recent tropical cyclones, how life has been in their aftermath, and how the support she received helped her recover and regain a sense of hope.

In the Wake of the Storms

In mid to late July 2025, successive tropical cyclones—Crising (Wipha), Dante (Francisco), and Typhoon Emong (Co-May)—intensified the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and brought heavy, prolonged rains across Northern Philippines. Central Luzon was among the hardest hit. Widespread flooding and landslides submerged entire communities, disrupted livelihoods, and forced thousands of families to evacuate.

In Pampanga alone, more than 500,000 residents were reportedly affected, prompting the province to declare a state of calamity on July 24. Other provinces in Central Luzon faced similar challenges, particularly remote upland and indigenous communities cut off by damaged roads, swollen rivers, and unsafe terrain.

In Sitio Pidpid, an upland Aeta community in Porac, the disaster turned long-standing challenges into life-threatening conditions. For Beatriz, 75, and many others like her, isolation—already part of daily life in the mountains—became a heavy burden. Roads were blocked, electricity and mobile signal were lost, and the community waited anxiously for help, unsure when support might reach them.

In photo: Beatriz is showing Action Against Hunger, the mountain from which water flowed directly into her house when the typhoon hit Sitio Pidpid. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

“The water came from everywhere.”

When Typhoon Emong struck, water entered Beatriz’s home from two directions: heavy rain from above and runoff cascading down the mountain behind her house. Panic set in—her husband, now bedridden, could not move on his own. With the help of a neighbor, she tried to get him to safety while lifting their belongings onto an elevated wooden platform inside the house. Despite their efforts, two to three feet of floodwater quickly filled the room.

Amid the chaos, Beatriz courageously climbed up to the roof in the middle of the storm to try to secure it with stones and keep it from being torn away. While up there, she broke down in tears, feeling completely helpless. “The winds were too strong,” she recalls. “The roof was eventually blown off.” With nothing left to protect them, she and her husband huddled in a corner, covering themselves only with a sheet of plastic.

The next morning, exhausted and overwhelmed, they wept together. With relatives away and access routes blocked, help felt distant—until, she says, “Action Against Hunger came to offer assistance right after the tropical storm.” Their home still needs repairs, but the support brought relief, stability, and hope at a time when they had little left to hold on to.

Life in the uplands

For Beatriz, access to water has always been one of the hardest parts of daily life. Before any support reached Sitio Pidpid, residents depended on a river about one kilometer away. Each day, Beatriz would walk to the river, fill four large jerry cans, and carry them back to her home. The weight, combined with the distance and steep terrain, made the task physically exhausting. With her husband now bedridden and fully dependent on her, the responsibility of ensuring their household had enough water rested entirely on her shoulders.

In photo: Beatriz is showing Action Against Hunger how she used to fetch water from the river before the rainwater collection system of the ECHO-funded ACCESS project, was built in the barangay. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Food was another constant worry. Even before the storms, finding something to cook often meant hiking up the nearby mountain to gather puso ng saging or banana hearts, sweet potatoes, and root crops. After the disasters, the difficulty intensified. With no stable income and limited mobility due to her caregiving duties, there were days when she had to ask strangers for food or money just to get by.

Life had been different two years earlier, when her husband was still able to walk. They farmed together outside the village and stayed in a small shelter near their fields. But with his illness worsening, Beatriz now carries the full burden of providing, caring, and managing everything at home.

In photo: Beatriz does laundry using the water collected from the rain water system installed by the ACCESS project.

Despite these hardships, she places immense value on education. Having reached only grade one herself, she sees schooling as a path to freedom: a way for her grandchildren to break free from poverty and challenge the discrimination faced by Indigenous communities. One of her grandchildren is about to finish elementary school, something that fills her with pride. Whenever she can save even a small amount, she gives it to them to support their studies.

When asked how she copes with stress, especially with the increasing threats brought by climate hazards, Beatriz shared that most days she “has no one to talk to.” Her granddaughter, who studies away from home, only visits on Fridays. The rest of the week, Beatriz faces her burdens alone. “It is very liberating for me to cry,” she said, describing how tears have become her release in moments of overwhelm.

Aid reaches the most isolated

In the days following the storm, communities in remote upland areas like Sitio Pidpid, home to many Indigenous families, were among the hardest to reach. Blocked and damaged roads made movement nearly impossible, leaving families cut off from essential services and support.

To respond, Action Against Hunger deployed emergency teams across Central Luzon to conduct rapid needs assessments in the most affected and geographically isolated areas. Despite the challenging terrain, coordinated multi-sectoral interventions were mobilized within 36 hours through the swift support of multiple funding agencies and partners.

In photo: The WASH engineer shows Action Against Hunger staff in Sitio Pidpid a component of the water collection system installed in the community and funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. (Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.)

One of the most urgent needs was water. With support from the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, the ACCESS consortium, with Action Against Hunger as an implementing partner, installed a rainwater collection system in Sitio Pidpid. The new system now provides families with a reliable and accessible water source, easing the everyday burden of fetching and storing water. ACCESS also distributed advocacy materials to help residents safely clean, store, and use harvested rainwater for daily needs.

In photo: In photo: The rainwater collection system in Sitio Pidpid is funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. (Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

 

For families like Beatriz’s, this improved access to water brought immediate relief. Complementing this, the multi-purpose cash assistance provided by Action Against Hunger through the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), enabled her to buy food and essential household items at a time when traveling to the town proper and earning an income were extremely difficult. “The support meant everything,” she shared, especially because she cannot leave her husband alone for long periods.

In photo: Action Against Hunger staff conduct an awareness-raising session on the cash assistance supported by SIDA in the community of Sitio Pidpid. (Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.)

Beatriz’s story reflects the strength of Indigenous communities as they face the increasing impacts of climate change. It shows how timely support and recovery initiatives play a crucial role, not only in providing basic needs to the communities affected by natural disasters, but also, in restoring dignity and hope, encouraging those affected to move forward when everything seems hopeless.

Every form of assistance, from emergency relief to lasting access to clean water, says Beatriz, “It is a step toward a safer and more secure future for my home, Sitio Pidpid.”
Written by: Martina Vercoli
Edited by: Joyce Sandajan

Returning to the life they knew: Joanna’s story after Typhoon Opong (Bualoi)

/by

PALANAS, MASBATE ─ Joanna Pilapil, 40 years old, grew up in the same barangay where she and her husband, Richie, are now raising their three children. In Barangay Miabas, their humble home kept them safe for years. Now, Joanna and her family find themselves struggling to rebuild the life they had before the devastation left by Typhoon Opong (International name: Bualoi).

In photo: Joanna Pilapil shows Action Against Hunger staff the way to her house in Barangay Miabas, Palanas, Masbate. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger

When Typhoon Opong hit the municipality of Palanas, in the province of Masbate, in the early hours of September 26, 2025, Joanna’s family had already evacuated to the local high school, which became their barangay’s designated evacuation center. When they returned, a bitter surprise awaited them; their house was severely damaged.

In photo: Joanna talks to Action Against Hunger team member inside her home in Barangay Miabas. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger. 

“When I saw my house in that state, I just couldn’t believe it. Many things were wet; others were broken,” Joanna recalls. “I couldn’t stop crying.”

“We can’t sleep when it rains; the children can’t rest properly,” she says. “We have to keep removing the water from the tarp.”

The storm left large parts of the roof torn off and weakened the wooden foundation. To keep the rain out, Richie and Joanna covered one section of the roof with tarpaulin. Their youngest child’s school supplies were irreparably ruined and had to be thrown away, which affected her schoolwork for several days.

Before Typhoon Opong, the family could sleep peacefully in their home. But after the storm, everything changed. Even light rain now makes them extremely anxious. “We just sit all together under a thick tarpaulin that covers the sleeping area of our house,” Joanna explains. The rest of the roof leaks badly, so the family gathers under the only dry spot. The tarpaulin catches the rainwater, and when the water starts pooling, they would try to drain it by poking the tarp with a stick so it does not collapse under its weight. “We can’t sleep when it rains; the children can’t rest properly,” she says. “We have to keep removing the water from the tarp.”

In photo: The tarpaulin covering the sleeping area of Joanna Pilapil’s house in Barangay Miabas, Palanas, Masbate. The family put it in place after the typhoon to protect themselves from rainwater leaking into the house. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Her husband, Richie, works in construction, but his job is unstable. He only earns when there are construction projects in the community, usually around 400 pesos a day, and considers himself lucky if he can work four days a week. Sometimes, he takes jobs in Manila, which is far from home. Joanna also works whenever she can, doing laundry and cleaning houses. These small jobs bring in 1,000 to 2,000 pesos a month when there is work available in the community. Their eldest child, now 19, could not go to college due to financial constraints. After finishing high school, he began working in a bakery to help with the family’s expenses.

“Everyone was affected by the storm,” Joanna explains. “The farmers who used to hire him, their crops are gone.”

After the typhoon, their main source of income was severely affected. Richie found it difficult to get construction jobs. “Everyone was affected by the storm,” Joanna explains. “The farmers who used to hire him, their crops are gone.”

The family’s financial situation worsened when their youngest child’s epilepsy required continuous medical care. Her medicines cost around 5,000 pesos a month, an amount the family can no longer afford. “I can’t even work that much anymore because I have to take proper care of her,” Joanna says, looking sadly through the empty wrappers of her daughter’s medicines. Then, she adds, “this month, I haven’t been able to bring her to her monthly check-up with the doctor. We have no money left. Now, food is our main priority.”

In photo: Joanna Pilapil, a resident of Barangay Miabas, Palanas, Masbate, looks through the empty wrappers of her daughter’s medicines, which she can no longer afford. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Access to clean water has also become a daily concern. Before the typhoon, the family bought a blue jerry can of mineral water for 35 pesos, enough for a week. Now, they cannot even afford to sustain it. “We get water from a well,” Joanna says, “not knowing whether it is safe or not. It is the only way we have to drink water.”

According to one of the residents, people in the community get their water from a well. After the typhoon, the water turned brown for a week, and there were reported cases of diarrhea and stomach aches. Even now, although the water appears clean, its safety remains in doubt. Residents boil it to make it drinkable, but cases of stomach aches and diarrhea are still being reported.

“Me and my husband prioritize our children’s nutrition,” Joanna says. “We give them food, and then he and I would share what is left.”

Food prices in the market have risen considerably. Despite a price freeze on commodities, nearby stores were selling goods at higher prices due to limited supplies. The family now buys one kilogram of the cheapest fish they can find for 200 pesos and makes it last for two weeks. Sometimes, they must buy on credit from the local store. They currently eat only twice a day instead of three times. Joanna then specifies: “Me and my husband prioritize our children’s nutrition,” Joanna says. “We give them food, and then he and I would share what is left.”

She worries especially about her youngest child, whose condition requires proper nutrition to prevent seizures.

Joanna shares the many responsibilities she manages at home while also working to support her family alongside her husband, and since the typhoon, even more has fallen on her plate. “Sometimes it is very hard for me,” Joanna admits. “I feel like I have a lot of responsibilities: managing household finances, taking care of the children and the house, working outside, and now also looking after some animals. Since the typhoon, it feels like I have even more to handle.”

In photo: Joanna Pilapil stands in front of her damaged house in Barangay Miabas, Palanas, Masbate. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

When Joanna talks about the food kit they received from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), she bursts into tears. “It is such a big help,” she says. “It is the first time we received this much. The food received is going to last at least two months,” Joanna states. “I will try to make it last as long as possible.”

In photo: Joanna Pilapil, a resident of Barangay Miabas, Baleno, Masbate with the food kit she received from ECHO. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

The assistance will allow her family to redirect the money they would have spent on food toward other priorities, such as their child’s medicines or repairs to their damaged house.

“It is such a big help,” she says. “It is the first time we received this much. The food received is going to last at least two months,” Joanna states. “I will try to make it last as long as possible.”

Even with this help, fear remains. “I am so scared another typhoon will hit our community,” Joanna admits. “Right now, we don’t have livelihoods, we do not have jobs, and we do not have money.”

Still, the aid they received gave Joanna and her family a much-needed sense of relief in a time of powerlessness. “We still haven’t returned to how things were before the typhoon,” she says quietly. “It is very far. Everything was gone when the disaster struck.” Yet, she adds with hope, “the help we received from ECHO will ease our worries. It is the beginning of our recovery. Our children will be able to have proper nutrition again.”

ACCESS (Assisting the Most Vulnerable Communities and Schools Affected by Complex Emergencies in Accessing Quality and Timely Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness Services) is funded by the EU Humanitarian Aid. ​

This ACCESS Emergency Response provides multi-sectoral support to the most vulnerable indigenous peoples in hard-to-reach communities in Cagayan and Masbate that are affected by the impacts of habagat or southwest monsoon, and tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong; and in Northern Cebu that are affected by the impacts of the magnitude 6.9 Cebu Earthquake. This particular response is jointly implemented by ACCORD, CARE Philippines, Action Against Hunger, Community Organizers Multiversity, Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc., Save the Children Philippines, and the United Youth of the Philippines-Women.

 

Written by: Martina Vercoli
Edited by: Joyce Sandajan

Philippines in state of national calamity after Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) leaves widespread devastation

/by

Barely recovering from a series of calamities in the last month, another disaster, Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), caused extensive destruction across several regions in the Philippines. After intensifying into a typhoon on 3 November 2025, Tino moved across the Visayas and Caraga regions before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility, leaving widespread displacement and severe damage behind. Typhoon Tino marks as the 20th storm to hit the Philippines this year alone.

More than 2.6 million people, or around 746,000 families, have been affected nationwide, based on government reports as of 7 November 2025. Of these, more than 1.4 million people are reportedly displaced and currently staying in evacuation centers or with relatives. At least 188 people have died, 135 remain missing, and more than 137 have been injured. Authorities caution that these figures may rise as assessments continue, and as access to remote areas improves.

The regions of Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), and Caraga (Region 13) sustained the most severe impacts.

  • In Western Visayas, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo reported the largest number of displaced families, with Capiz alone accounting for 55,310 families (163,799 individuals). Evacuations were conducted across several municipalities and Roxas City, where significant housing damage is being verified by local authorities.
  • In Central Visayas, Cebu Province, now under a State of Calamity, has recorded 87,504 affected families (271,336 individuals) across 38 municipalities and cities. The province also reported 92 deaths, including 36 in Liloan. Widespread power and water supply interruptions persist, while food and sanitation shortages are worsening conditions in evacuation centers. In some communities, residents have been forced to collect water from natural sources, and the destruction of toilets has increased public health risks.

In photos: Emergency Response team assess damages in Barangay Liberty Hibusong Island, Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands. (Photos by Jaz Dajuya for Action Against Hunger)

  • In Caraga, the Dinagat Islands have also declared a State of Calamity after 11,019 families (32,431 individuals) were displaced, representing about 36% of the province’s population. The typhoon severely damaged infrastructure and disrupted essential utilities, especially in the municipalities of Loreto and Tubajon. Two fatalities were recorded in Loreto due to storm surges. Preliminary reports indicate 4,497 houses were totally destroyed and 2,887 partially damaged, based on initial assessments. Cases of leptospirosis and diarrheal illness have also been reported, particularly in flood-affected areas.

Cebu is still reeling from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30 and continues to experience aftershocks and tremors in recent weeks. Now, the province faces yet another challenge as one of the areas most affected by Typhoon Tino. Many families whose homes were damaged by the earthquake remain in temporary shelters and tents. The typhoon has further worsened their situation, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that left most of the province without electricity and telecommunications signal for days, with some areas still awaiting restoration. These conditions have heightened the risks and deepened the vulnerability of affected families as they struggle to recover from successive disasters.

In Talisay City, Cebu, Action Against Hunger teams are on the ground assessing the impact of Typhoon Tino. Initial findings indicate that six barangays were among the most affected, with damage to homes, water systems, and health centers. In coordination with the local government, the team is conducting rapid assessments and supporting efforts to assist affected families and restore essential services. (Photo by Vicente Delector Jr. for Action Against Hunger).

“As I move through the affected communities, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating the compounded impacts of the earthquake and Typhoon Tino are—days without water or electricity, homes and livelihoods lost, and families trying to rebuild while already wondering how to prepare for the next disaster. These moments underscore how critical it is to invest in long-term resilience so communities can withstand the escalating effects of a changing climate,” shares Cristina Izquierda Ribas, Nutrition Coordinator, Emergency Team and OIC-Head of Cebu field office for Action Against Hunger Philippines.

 

In photo: Damages in Talisay Cebu. (Photo by Vicente Delector Jr. for Action Against Hunger).

The humanitarian situation remains critical as hundreds of thousands of families remain displaced. Assessments of damage to homes, roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities are still ongoing, but initial reports indicate moderate to heavy destruction across affected provinces.

Key immediate needs include:

  • Food assistance and early livelihood support to meet basic needs and prevent negative coping mechanisms.
  • Safe drinking water, hygiene kits, and temporary sanitation facilities to address contamination of water sources and prevent disease outbreaks.
  • Emergency shelter materials such as tarpaulins, tents, blankets, and cooking sets to support families who lost their homes.

Moreover, protection and privacy concerns are also increasing in overcrowded evacuation centers, with women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities particularly at risk due to limited space and unsafe conditions.

In response to the widespread devastation, the Philippine Government has declared a State of National Calamity and released 760 million pesos in assistance to affected regions. National agencies, local governments, and humanitarian organizations have mobilized to deliver life-saving aid, restore basic services, and coordinate damage assessments.

While responding to overlapping emergencies such as the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao and the impacts of Typhoons Opong and Tino, the Philippines is now bracing for another potential disaster as Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) is expected to affect parts of Luzon and Visayas on Monday, November 11.

Action Against Hunger Philippines continues to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate closely with partners, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Health (DOH), the WASH Cluster, and the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Consortium. Since November 5, our emergency response teams have been deployed to conduct Rapid Damage and Needs Assessments in Cebu, Surigao del Norte, and the Dinagat Islands to guide the prioritization of emergency relief and early recovery interventions.

Our team continues to monitor the trajectory of Typhoon Uwan alongside ongoing emergency response operations to ensure timely and coordinated action for affected communities.

We are actively engaging with our resource partners to secure additional funding for our Typhoon Tino response, while jumpstarting small-scale initial interventions by pivoting available resources. Our planned response will focus on Cebu and Dinagat Islands, while we continue conducting assessments in coordination with partners and local government units.

Water, Hygiene, and Hope: The Morales Family’s Recovery After Typhoon Opong (Bualoi)

/by

PALANAS, MASBATE — After Typhoon Opong (international name: Bualoi) devastated their home in the municipality of Palanas, Masbate, on the night of September 26, Diolito and Lorna Morales faced unimaginable challenges. With only a small kitchen left as their shelter and the prices of basic goods rising, ensuring that their five-year-old grandchild and family had enough food, water, and hygiene essentials became a daily struggle.

When Typhoon Opong struck their community, Diolito (59) and Lorna Morales (64) thought they had already endured the worst, but this time was different. “The wind was so strong it felt like it was tearing our house apart in the middle of the night,” they recalled. Coconuts and branches fell all around them until a tree finally crashed onto their roof. As water quickly rose to their knees, they fled to their son’s house nearby to seek shelter.

For three long hours, the water kept rising. “All I could think was, if the typhoon doesn’t stop, there won’t be any houses left,” Diolito recalls their experience. When morning came, they sadly realized that their home was destroyed. They stood in front of what was left and cried. “I was sure I was not going to be able to recover,” he said. “My fishing net, I can fix that. But my house? How can I fix it without any income?”

In the first days after the typhoon, the family felt lost and powerless. They didn’t know what to do first—whether to repair their house, go fishing, or try to dry what was left of their belongings. Life since then has been a daily struggle, especially for their five-year-old grandchild, who lives with them in their household of seven and had never experienced anything like this before.

In photo: Diolito and Lorna Morales’ kitchen, where they have now been sleeping since their house was destroyed by Typhoon Opong. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Diolito and Lorna now sleep in their small kitchen, the only part of the main house that survived the typhoon, and which was once a separate structure. The rest of the family stays in their son’s house nearby, as there is not enough space in the kitchen to accommodate everyone.

The family’s income has been heavily affected as well. Diolito now goes out to the sea twice a day to fish, hoping to bring home enough to feed everyone. Before the typhoon, he earned around 20 pesos a day, but now he often earns only 5 or 10 pesos. Lorna, from her side, does her best to care for everyone at home, especially their little grandchild. “The little one feels the hardship too,” mentions Lorna as she looks at him playing in the courtyard. “I always feel like we have to work even harder for him, to give him a better future.” 

Despite a government-mandated price freeze on basic commodities during the state of calamity, some stores in their area still doubled their prices, even for water. The family buys drinking water from a local refilling station and uses tap water for cleaning and cooking. Since the typhoon struck their community, food and other essentials have become increasingly expensive. This is why, when aid arrived, it brought them much-needed relief.

“When we received the hygiene kit, it brought us hope and relief during such a difficult time” states Lorna. Inside, there were soap, shampoo, towels, toothbrushes, blankets, and other essential sanitary and cleaning items. The hygiene supplies they had lost in the storm — items that had been hard to find in nearby stores — were finally within their reach.

For Diolito and Lorna, receiving the kit lifted a huge weight off their shoulders. Knowing that their family’s hygiene needs were covered meant they could redirect what little money they had toward putting food on the table or buying materials to rebuild their home. 

Lorna, wrapped in a blanket from the hygiene kit, shares, “I still haven’t had the time to properly wash all our belongings that were soaked during the typhoon, especially our towels and blankets. I don’t have much time during the day since I have to take care of my family.”

The whole family uses the soap and towels from the kit, but it’s the toothbrushes and towels that mean the most to them. These items have been difficult to find in the community since the typhoon. For their grandchild, these small things brought back a sense of normal life and a feeling of being cared for.

In photo: Diolito and Lorna Morales’ grandchild stands in front of their destroyed home. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Their little one benefited directly from the shampoo and toothpaste. Lorna said it made her happy to see the child clean and smiling again, despite the despair around them. For a family that lost almost everything, these small things give them back dignity and hope. Even though the kit was meant for their household, they also chose to share some of the items with their son’s family living nearby. “It is the least we can do … to help our family by sharing,” admits Diolito proudly.

In the photo: Lorna Morales walking with the pail they received from the hygiene kit from UNICEF. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

For Diolito and Lorna, the support meant much more than supplies. It meant that their grandchild and their entire family could stay clean, healthy, and safe even after the strongest typhoon they had ever experienced. “It is the first time we received such aid.” They said. It brought hope for the next generation and reminded them that they were not forgotten. 

 

Written by Martina Vercoli

Starting over after Typhoon Opong (Bualoi): Myra’s story

/by

BALENO, MASBATE — When Typhoon Opong (international name: Bulaoi) struck Barangay Cagara in Baleno, countless families saw their lives turned upside down overnight. Among them was Myra (41), a mother of five, facing the challenge of starting over after losing nearly everything to the typhoon.

Myra is not originally from Baleno. She grew up in Quezon Province and moved to Masbate when she was 20 years old after meeting her husband through mutual friends. Three years later, they were married, and soon after, she became a mother. Over time, she built her life there—raising her children, tending to their home, and dreaming of a future where her family could live comfortably and securely.

Her husband has always been the main provider, earning a living from farming and construction work. It was never easy, but before the storm, it was enough to get by. Then came Typhoon Opong, and everything changed.

At around four in the morning, the wind grew violent. Myra remembers how the roof of their home was torn away almost instantly. “The roof was destroyed right away,” she recalls. “We ran to our neighbor’s house for shelter. We were so scared… we thought no one would help us rebuild our home.” When the storm finally passed, their house was completely destroyed, and all their belongings were soaked.

In photo: Myra walks into what remains of her house, destroyed by Typhoon Opong, in Barangay Cagara, Baleno, Masbate, and points to her soaked and ruined belongings. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

“I want to provide for my children, but I have nothing. I’ve started to accept that when it rains, my things might get wet, because we no longer have a proper roof.” – Myra

Now, the family sleeps together in their small kitchen—the only part of the house that survived. The space is crowded with everything they own, so every night they move their belongings outside to make room for sleeping, always anxious that rain might come and drench everything again.

The typhoon didn’t just take their home; it also took away their livelihood. Her husband lost his income from both farming and construction. “Everyone in the neighborhood was affected,” Myra explains. “No one had money to pay for construction,” she adds sadly. “All the crops ready for harvest were destroyed.”

In photo: Damages in Myra’s community in the aftermath of Typhoon Opong. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Since then, each day has been a struggle. The family now relies on relief goods to get by. “After the typhoon, there was nothing left for us,” Myra says quietly. “Now, we rely on the relief we receive just to put food on the table.”

Before the storm, they could eat three meals a day. Now, even two are a challenge. The family uses water from a nearby faucet connected to groundwater for drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing—hoping it’s safe enough because they have no other option.

Still, Myra tries to stay strong. When she feels overwhelmed, she turns to her neighbors for comfort. “During hard times, I talk to my neighbors,” she says. “They are going through the same thing, and my children keep me motivated.”

“It’s very hard,” she admits. “I want to provide for my children, but I have nothing. I’ve started to accept that when it rains, my things might get wet, because we no longer have a proper roof.”

In photo: Myra Manlapas walks into her kitchen, which was separated from the main house that now serves as her family’s sleeping area after Typhoon Opong, in Barangay Cagara, Baleno, Masbate. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

When asked if she would consider working, Myra gently shakes her head. “If I could work, I would still choose to take care of my family,” she says. “They need me here.”

Amid all the hardship, humanitarian aid has brought new hope to Myra’s family. Action Against Hunger, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is providing cash assistance to disaster-affected communities to help families like Myra’s recover. Through this support, they were able to buy essential items and food.

The aid we received from Action Against Hunger and SIDA really helped us…We were able to buy what we needed—basic necessities and food. I’ve never received such help before.”

In photo: Action Against Hunger team conducts beneficiary sensitization and orientations on multi-purposes cash assistance with the community.

“The aid we received from Action Against Hunger and SIDA really helped us,” Myra shares with gratitude. “We were able to buy what we needed—basic necessities and food. I’ve never received such help before.” Part of the assistance will also go toward rebuilding their destroyed house, giving them the chance to start anew.

Even in the face of loss and uncertainty—common to those affected by natural disasters—Myra’s story is one of quiet strength and enduring hope. It shows that with timely assistance, families like hers can begin to rebuild their lives and recover what they have lost.

In photo: Recipients of the cash assistance during the multi-purpose cash assistance payout in Baleno.

According to the latest government data, Typhoon Opong affected over 163,000 families (around 664,000 individuals) across Masbate Province, damaging more than 106,000 houses, including over 21,000 totally destroyed. The hardest-hit municipalities include Masbate City, Aroroy, Cawayan, Mobo, and Baleno.

With support from funding agencies including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Action Against Hunger continues to assist the most affected families in Masbate by providing food and multi-purpose cash assistance, safe water access, hygiene kits, and support for early recovery and livelihood restoration—helping communities rebuild their lives after the devastating impact of Typhoon Opong.


Written by Martina Vercoli.

Action Against Hunger Responds to the Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake in Cebu

/by

CEBU, PHILIPPINES ─ On the night of 30 September 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu, its epicenter just outside Bogo City. The tremor, felt at Intensity VII (Destructive) on the PHIVOLCS scale, toppled homes and buildings, cut power and water supplies, and left entire communities in fear as thousands of aftershocks continued to rattle the province.

According to government figures, over 547,394 people (155,094 families) have been affected as of October 6. At least 72 lives were lost and more than 559 injured, with the numbers still expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. Bogo City, San Remigio, and Medellin were among the hardest hit, accounting for the majority of casualties and damage.

In photos: Current situation in Cebu where displaced families stay in open areas and structural damages were widespread and significant. (Photos by Brian Kae Enriquez for Action Against Hunger

Families have been displaced on a massive scale. Many are now living in makeshift shelters along roadsides, open fields, and school grounds, too afraid to return to their damaged homes. In Bogo City’s Yolanda Village, a relocation site for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), families who once rebuilt their lives after a past disaster have again been forced to flee.

In some towns in the Municipality of Tobogon, desperate families have started putting up signages along the roads pleading for food and water.

In photo: Situation along the road in Municipality of Tabogon, Cebu. People have signages seeking food and water. (Photos by Brian Kae Enriquez for Action Against Hunger)

Essential services are also heavily disrupted. Power outages have left hospitals, water systems, and communication lines down across northern Cebu. Damaged pipelines and collapsed reservoirs cut off access to safe drinking water, forcing families to rely on unsafe sources. Overcrowded evacuation centers lack basic sanitation, raising fears of outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

The psychological toll is equally severe. Survivors, particularly children, women, and the elderly, are showing signs of trauma, stress, and fear. Many refuse to go back inside buildings due to the continuing aftershocks.

Our Ongoing Response

In the immediate aftermath, Action Against Hunger’s Emergency Response Team (MERT) deployed to northern Cebu to conduct rapid assessments and coordinate with local government and humanitarian partners. Together with the ACCESS Consortium with funding support from the European Union through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, and the WASH Cluster, our teams have been working to identify urgent needs and provide life-saving support.

So far, our teams have:

  • Started water distribution in affected communities in Tobogon through trucking, with more resources being mobilized to scale up.
  • Facilitated psychosocial support sessions for displaced families in Bogo City, helping survivors process trauma and regain a sense of safety.
  • Coordinated closely with local government units, government agencies like the Department of Health, and humanitarian actors to ensure that clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are prioritized in evacuation centers and host communities.
  • Prepositioned 700 WASH kits (hygiene and water kits) from Manila and Cotabato, preparing to scale up interventions as soon as additional resources are made available.

 

 

In photos: Water rationing in Brgy. Ilihan in Tabogon, Cebu through the ACCESS Consortium. (Photos by Brian Kae Enriquez for Action Against Hunger)

 

Emerging Needs

The scale of the disaster has left enormous gaps. Immediate needs include:

  • Clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent outbreaks of disease.
  • Emergency shelter materials (tents, tarpaulins, sleeping kits) for families staying outdoors.
  • Food assistance, especially for children, pregnant and lactating women, and people with disabilities.
  • Medical support for overwhelmed hospitals, including medicines, surgical supplies, and mental health care.
  • Psychosocial support for communities coping with fear and repeated displacement.

In photo: Residents of Barangay Samosa, Tabogon are currently staying tents and open spaces after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu. Many continue to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks and the risk of falling debris. Families are staying in informal camps, by the roadside, or with relatives as damage assessments are still ongoing. (Photo by Brian Kae Enriquez for Action Against Hunger)

 

Standing in Solidarity

Cebu is still reeling from the earthquake, and the situation remains fluid as aftershocks continue to affect communities. Action Against Hunger will continue assessing the needs on the ground and working closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure that urgent priorities are met. With the support of our donors and through the ACCESS Consortium, funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, we remain committed to scaling up our response in the coming days—delivering clean water, essential relief, and protection to the most vulnerable families—while helping communities move toward recovery with dignity.

Washing Away Worries: How a Day Care Worker’s Persistence Helped Bring Water and Hope to a Remote Community

/by

For eight years, Tarhata Watamama has served as the daycare worker in Barangay Mapayag with patience, commitment, and an unshakable belief in every child’s right to learn and grow in a safe and healthy environment. 

DATU ANGGAL MIDTIMBANG, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR ─ At 40 years old, she currently teaches 32 students daycare learners (12 boys and 20 girls) in a small daycare center where limited resources services and structural gaps pose daily challenges. One of her long-standing struggles had been access to clean water.

“Mula po nung nasira ang aming handwashing [facility], hindi na po nakakapaghugas ng kamay ang mga bata tuwing may klase. Minsan po ang mga magulang ng mga bata ay nag-iigib ng tubig sa mga kapitbahay. (Ever since the handwashing facility broke down, the children could no longer wash their hands during classes. Sometimes, the parents would fetch water from neighbors,)” she explained.

While the barangay local government unit (BLGU) has been supportive in trying to meet the center’s needs, the lack of a functioning water supply system and adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities remained unresolved for a long time. Water had to be fetched from nearby homes and stored for use in washing and cleaning the daycare center, making daily hygiene activities difficult.

“Ever since the handwashing facility broke down, the children could no longer wash their hands during classes. Sometimes, the parents would fetch water from neighbors.” – Tarhata

“Hindi talaga kami makapaghugas ng kamay nang maayos. Wala rin kaming mga gamit tulad ng sabon, panlinis, o kahit timba. (We really couldn’t carry out proper handwashing. We didn’t even have basic supplies like soap, cleaning materials, or even pails.”)

With no anthropometric tools of their own, growth monitoring, which is essential for tracking the physical development of young children, was also hampered. Tarhata had to borrow tools such as height boards and weighing scales from the nearby barangay health station (BHS), just to fulfill her responsibilities as an early childhood care and development (ECCD) worker.

But things started to change when the center was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the “Strengthening Health and Nutrition Service Delivery Capacities in Early Learning, Alternative Learning, and Community Health” project.

With funding from the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Action Against Hunger and UNICEF Philippines aim to improve access to health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and education services for over 20,000 people in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through this project. With a special focus on young children, pregnant & lactating women, and persons with disabilities, the initiative is strengthening the capacity of 19 health and learning facilities across the region.

Following a series of consultations with the MSSD and the Municipal Government of Datu Anggal Midtimbang and joint technical assessments by Action Against Hunger and UNICEF, critical WASH and nutrition-related interventions were carried out at the daycare center. These included the repair of the water supply through the installation of a water pump, which was then piped directly to the daycare center’s toilet and a newly constructed handwashing station. A rainwater catchment system was also installed to further enhance water availability. In addition, the handwashing facility was improved, and the daycare center was provided with essential supplies and materials for hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition—including soap, pails, drinking water containers, cleaning materials, and growth monitoring tools such as a height board and weighing scale.

“Napakalaking tulong po talaga itong ginawa po ni UNICEF at Action Against Hungert sa aming daycare center. Ngayon, di na kami mahihirapan. May tubig na po, may hugasan ng kamay. Bago mag-recess pinapahugas ko na ang mga bata (This is such a big help. Thanks to UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, it’s no longer difficult for us. We now have water and a handwashing station. I let the children wash their hands before eating at recess.)” Tarhata shared with a smile.

With access to water restored, Tarhata immediately began integrating proper hygiene practices into daily routines. The children, she noted, were more than willing to embrace the change.

“Thanks to UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, it’s no longer difficult for us. We now have water and a handwashing station. I let the children wash their hands before eating at recess. It’s wonderful to see the children enjoying handwashing now that there’s plenty of water, a proper station, and soap. They want to wash their hands all the time.”

“Nakakatuwa nga po dahil sa meron nang maraming tubig, handwashing area, at mga sabon, ang mga bata ay nag-eenjoy at gusto laging maghugas ng kamay, (It’s wonderful to see the children enjoying handwashing now that there’s plenty of water, a proper station, and soap. They want to wash their hands all the time.)” she added.

The impact goes beyond just hygiene. The daycare center also received height boards and weighing scales, allowing Tarhata to carry out growth monitoring on site. Parents no longer need to fetch water every morning. Children no longer need to leave the daycare premises just to wash up, which helps reduce potential risks and disruptions during class time.

“Isa din po sa pinasasalamatan po namin ay yung mga gamit tulad ng timba, lalagyan ng inuming tubig, sabon, at gamit panlinis. Lalo na po ang height board at timbangan. Wala po kaming kakayahan na bumili ng mga ito. May tulong po ang LGU, at suportado naman po ni Kapitan, pero kulang pa rin. Kaya salamat po talaga sa Action Against Hunger at UNICEF, (We’re really thankful for the supplies—pails, drinking water containers, soap, cleaning materials, and especially the height board and weighing scale. We could never afford these. Our LGU and Barangay Captain are supportive, but their resources are limited. That’s why we are truly grateful to Action Against Hunger and UNICEF.)” she emphasized.

For Tarhata, this is more than an improvement in infrastructure—it is an investment in dignity, safety, and opportunity.

“Sana po itong project ay marami pang matulungan na daycare centers at daycare workers, (I hope this project can reach more daycare centers and workers like me. Many still need help—especially when it comes to having access to water.)” she said hopefully. 

Her story is a powerful example of how the right support, provided at the right time, can uplift not just a center or a worker—but an entire community.

The “Strengthening Health and Nutrition Service Delivery Capacities in Early Learning, Alternative Learning, and Community Health” project is implemented by Action Against Hunger together with UNICEF, thanks to the funding support of the Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

 

Written by Joyce Sandajan.
Contributors: Debbie Alaban, Moner Dipatuan
Photos by Noraisa Labing Duton and Norkisa Ayob Musa for Action Against Hunger