Tag Archive for: #WASH

How Partnership Brought a Lifeline Back to Communities After the Earthquake

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GLAN, Sarangani ─ As she has done for the past 32 years of working in public service, Glenda Hizoler, General Manager of the Glan Water District, was on her way to the office on the morning the magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Municipality of Glan. 

Having dedicated the past decades to the Glan Water District, including the last eight years as General Manager, she understood that every decision made in the coming hours would directly affect thousands of families who depended on the municipality’s water system.

Before the earthquake, the Glan Water District supplied safe and reliable water to more than 2,000 concessionaires across seven barangays—Poblacion, Ilaya, Calabanit, Taluya, Tapon, Small Margus, and Big Margus. The Level III Water Supply System, a piped network that delivers water directly to individual household and establishment connections, served as a lifeline for households, schools, businesses, and health facilities, providing communities with the essential water they relied upon every day. 

“When the earthquake happened, my first thoughts were not about myself,” Glenda recalled. 

“I was worried about our pumping stations, filtration facilities, pipelines, employees, and the office. I knew that if the water system were badly damaged, thousands of families would be affected.”

Upon arriving at the office, she and her team immediately began assessing the damage. While the administrative building sustained only minor cracks, the condition of the water infrastructure was far more alarming. Major distribution pipelines were damaged, one of the district’s critical distribution transformers had failed, and communication with field personnel became increasingly difficult due to widespread power and signal outages. 

The situation worsened in the days that followed as detailed assessments revealed extensive damage across multiple components of the Glan Water District’s Level III Water Supply System, affecting its capacity to produce, treat, and distribute water to the communities it served.  

Earthquake-induced landslides disrupted water supply from Big Margus Spring Source and the Sitio Calusan Spring Source in Barangay Tapon, two critical water sources supplying nearby communities.  

In Photo: Damaged spring source in Barangay Big Margus following Earthquake-induced landslide (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

Key water treatment facilities, which play an essential role in treating and maintaining the quality of water before distribution to communities, also sustained significant damage. The Calabanit Filtration Plant sustained damage to its roofing system; the Banahao Filtration Box developed structural damage, and numerous transmission and distribution pipelines were either disconnected or severely compromised. 

In Photo: In collaboration with Action Against Hunger, Glan Water District personnel repairs damages within the water systems of the Municipality of Glan following the earthquake. (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

The damaged transformer had one of the greatest impacts on the entire water supply system. Without electricity, the booster pump at the Calabanit Filtration Plant could not operate sufficiently, making it impossible to generate enough pressure to deliver water to distant communities. The loss of pressure also prevented technical staff from identifying hidden leaks within the distribution network, further delaying restoration efforts. 

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Glenda remained focused on what mattered most. 

“Our priority was to make sure our employees and their families were safe,” she said. “After that, we began restoring the water system.” 

Joint efforts to restore and sustain water supply 

As emergency assessments began, neighboring water districts immediately extended assistance. Koronadal Water District, Polomolok Water District, Kabacan Water District, and other organizations, such as the Philippine Red Cross, mobilized water tankers, pipes, fittings, water kits, and technical support to help address the immediate needs of affected communities. Water trucking operations became essential while technical staff worked to assess the extensive damage across the municipality. 

In Photo: In collaboration with Action Against Hunger, Glan Water District personnel repairs damages within the water systems of the Municipality of Glan following the earthquake. (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

The Glan Water District prioritized the repair of damaged pipelines, recognizing that restoring the distribution network would provide the fastest relief to affected households. However, one major obstacle remained beyond the district’s financial capacity: the replacement of the damaged transformer. 

Unfortunately, the Glan Water District had limited emergency funding available for such a major replacement. 

It was during this critical period that Action Against Hunger began coordinating with the Glan Water District. 

“From the beginning, they asked who managed the municipality’s water supply and immediately coordinated with us,” Glenda shared. “Together, we assessed the damaged facilities, identified the gaps, and discussed which interventions would have the greatest impact.” 

The partnership quickly evolved into a coordinated early recovery effort. 

Action Against Hunger supported the rehabilitation by providing two replacement transformers and implementing a series of water system repair and rehabilitation interventions with funding support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Sida funding supported labor for the repair and restoration of damaged transmission and distribution pipelines, rehabilitation of the damaged roofing system at the Calabanit Filtration Plant, repair of the Banahao Filtration Box, and restoration of the Big Margus water system.  

In Photo: Reparation of broken transformer underway (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

Meanwhile, the Glan Water District contributed technical expertise, engineering supervision, human resources, co-financing the procurement of one transformer, and construction materials, including pipes, fittings, and accessories necessary to complete the rehabilitation works.  

The South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) also played a vital role by facilitating the installation, testing, and energization of the replacement transformers, contributing to the restoration of electrical power to critical water supply facilities. 

“The partnership worked because each organization contributed what it could,” Glenda explained. “Action Against Hunger provided resources we simply could not access immediately, while our technical team ensured that the repairs were implemented efficiently and according to engineering standards.” 

The results were visible and felt almost immediately. 

In Photo: Water flows in repaired water system in Glan (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

Clean water in times of crisis 

Following the repair of damaged pipelines along Atty. E. Yap Street and other sections of Barangay Poblacion, approximately 400 households regained access to water. Soon after, the installation and energization of the replacement transformers at the Calabanit Filtration Plant restored power to the booster pumps, allowing a total of approximately 1,100 households to reconnect to the water supply. 

The restored pressure also enabled the technical expert from the water district to identify previously undetected leakages throughout the distribution network, allowing repair teams to continue restoring additional sections of the system. 

In photo: Two women carry water containers during the water trucking services provided by Action Against Hunger, in partnership with Glan Municipality during the early days of the earthquake’s aftermath, while the water system’s repairs were ongoing.

 

For the families who had spent days fetching water from distant collection points and carrying heavy containers back to their homes, the return of running water represented far more than the restoration of a public utility; it marked the beginning of recovery. 

Among them Angelyn, 37, who lives with her five-member household in Purok Santan, Barangay Taluya─ one of the farthest points of the water distribution system.  

After the earthquake disrupted their water supply, Angelyn, her husband, and her 63-year-old mother, Nanay Antonia, had to fetch water from a hand pump approximately 100 meters from their home, while purchasing drinking water from a nearby refilling station at fifteen pesos, or approximately 21-euro cents (€0.21) per container. Fetching and carrying water became a time-consuming and physically demanding part of their daily routine, with additional safety concerns when water had to be collected at night. 

“It’s difficult when there’s no water at home. We have to go to the water pump and carry heavy containers of water. Fetching water also takes a long time, so it really adds to the exhaustion of our daily routine,” Angelyn shared. 

With the restoration of the water system, the family once again has water available directly at home for cooking, bathing, washing clothes, cleaning, and other daily needs. Although water pressure occasionally remains low, having water within their home has reduced the time and physical effort required to collect it and has made it easier for the family to prepare for work and care for their children. 

“Even when the water pressure is low at times, having water available at home makes a big difference. We no longer have to travel far to fetch water or carry heavy containers of water,” Angelyn added. 

For Nanay Antonia, the restoration has also meant relief from the physical burden of fetching water and the additional household expenses associated with the disruption. 

“Many thanks to Action Against Hunger and the Glan Water District for restoring our water supply. It has reduced the time, effort, and expenses we used to spend getting water.” 

Glenda believes that without the timely intervention of Action Against Hunger, the municipality would have remained dependent on emergency water trucking for a much longer period, placing significant financial and logistical burden on both humanitarian responders and the local government. 

“Without their support, many communities might still be waiting for water today,” she reflected. “The restoration happened much faster because we worked together.” 

Among the many moments she remembers during the response, one stands above the rest. 

“I felt relieved and grateful when the booster pump became operational again,” she said. “Even before the water reached every household, we already felt hopeful because we knew we were moving in the right direction.” 

From crisis to action 

For Glenda, the earthquake was not only a test of infrastructure but also a test of leadership, teamwork, and public service. 

“We worked with both our hearts and our minds,” she reflected. “Our responsibility was to serve the people by restoring one of their most basic needs—safe water. That responsibility kept us moving despite all the challenges.” 

In Photo: In collaboration with Action Against Hunger, Glan Water District personnel repairs damages within the water systems of the Municipality of Glan following the earthquake. (Photo by Engel Merl De Villa for Action Against Hunger)

With the repair and restoration works in Big Margus completed and the water system operational, the Glan Water District continues to conduct leak detection and corrective repairs within the distribution network to progressively restore water supply to the remaining households in Big Margus and Small Margus. The overall rehabilitation experience has strengthened the water district’s commitment to disaster preparedness and reinforced the value of partnerships between local institutions and humanitarian organizations. 

Glenda expresses her gratitude to everyone who stood beside the municipality during its most difficult days. 

“This experience showed us that when organizations work together with one purpose, communities recover faster, and hope is restored along with the water.” 

Author: Engel Merl De Villa
Edited by: Ana Nico Clement, Brian Kae Enriquez, Shiena Base, Joyce Sandajan

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From Waste to Wetlands: Communities are restoring their environment through innovative solutions.

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Across the cities of Zamboanga and Malabon, communities are already seeing the results of their efforts to restore ecosystems, improve waste management, and strengthen resilience through the EARTH project. Through community-led action, residents are restoring mangroves, testing innovative nature-based solutions, strengthening waste management systems, and working together through community savings groups.

From the waterways of urban Malabon to the coastal forests of Zamboanga, mangroves act as vital natural infrastructure, protecting coastlines from storms and flooding, improving water quality, supporting fisheries, sustaining local livelihoods, and providing habitat for diverse species.

In photo: Aerial view of waterways and mangroves in Zamboanga City. (Drone shot by Junie Laguidao for Action Against Hunger)

In Zamboanga, conflict-related displacement, coupled with inadequate solid waste management and increasing waste accumulation in coastal communities have contributed to the degradation of mangrove ecosystems and surrounding coastal habitats.  In Malabon, persistent waste pollution, continued land reclamation, clogged drainage systems, and highly modified waterways have reduced ecosystem health while increasing flood and environmental risks. These interconnected environmental pressures weaken the natural systems that communities rely on for protection, livelihoods, and long-term resilience.

In photo: Action Against Hunger and Community EARTH Champions team up in a clean-up drive in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. (Photo by Engel Merl de Villa for Action Against Hunger)

The EARTH project was formed in response to the environmental impacts that can unintentionally result from humanitarian crises and response efforts, ensuring that support to vulnerable communities does not come at the expense of the ecosystems they depend on. Through EARTH, communities are taking action to restore and protect these ecosystems, strengthening the natural foundations that support livelihoods, reducing climate risks, and building resilience for the future.

In photo: Community member planting mangroves. (Photo by Roberto Saballero, Jr.)

More than halfway through implementation, the EARTH project is already demonstrating tangible environmental and community-level results. Over June 2026 alone, three of four planned nature-based solution pilot infrastructures have also been installed, alongside new waste management and water access facilities that support healthier and more resilient communities. These actions are helping communities strengthen their capacity to withstand economic, environmental, and social shocks while protecting the natural resources they depend on.

In photo: Propagation and Planting Training to community-saving group members who will be participating in the Mangrove planting. (Photo by Billy Brian Bahani)

Communities Leading Environmental Restoration                                                                                                 

Through the EARTH project, community members are taking an active role in protecting and restoring their mangrove ecosystems. The mangrove propagation and planting training has attracted a growing number of community members. As new members continue to join, 169 established EARTH champions have participated in planting.

In photo: EARTH Champions supporting the Mangrove Nursery. (Photo by Vanessa Matuguina)

To date, communities have collectively restored 2.84 hectares of mangrove areas, with visible improvements in coastal landscapes and increasing participation from residents.

Innovation Rooted in Nature

Beyond mangrove restoration, communities and local partners are testing innovative nature-based solutions. Working with the  Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU) and the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), the project is piloting locally appropriate technologies designed to capture waste, improve water quality, support biological remediation, and strengthen ecosystem health. Three of the four planned pilot infrastructures have already been installed.

In photo: A Coco Coir Waste Trap in the intercepts solid waste, plastics, grease, and organic debris using recycled plastic bottles and coconut coir to reduce pollutants entering the system before regular cleaning and sorting by community members.

In photo: The Slow Filtration Unit, an NBS technology in the ZSCMST laboratory, uses native bamboo plants, aggregates, and activated carbon to absorb nutrients and heavy metals. (Photo by Roberto Saballero Jr)

In photo: The Floating Treatment Wetland improves water quality by removing pollutants, reducing excess nutrients, and supporting a sustainable and healthy aquatic ecosystem. The root zones enhance microbial activity for further natural purification. (Photo by Roberto Saballero Jr)

The last, a Solar Powered Aerator with Filtration, is scheduled for installation, with ZPPSU leading technical design and installation.

These innovative nature-based solutions help to improve the water quality through various interconnected systems and contribute to the protection and conservation of mangroves and biodiversity in the pilot site.

Strengthening Solid Waste Management and Access to Water

In communities resettled following the 2013 Zamboanga siege, the lack of waste management systems has placed additional pressure on coastal ecosystems. Through collective action and community leadership, residents are now strengthening environmental stewardship and improving local waste management. Steady social and behavioral change has been growing through collective action and community monitoring.

In photo: Hadija, EARTH Champion from Barangay Kasanyangan, talks about her experiencing supporting the EARTH Project. (Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger)

“Before, many people did not fully understand the importance of cleanliness, recycling, or protecting mangroves. Through my involvement, I have seen awareness slowly growing, and people are beginning to change their behavior.”

Hadija Hamsail, 50-year-old, resident of Barangay Kasanyangan and EARTH champion.

To support these clean-up efforts, community infrastructure is being built to improve waste collection systems and access to water for sanitation and hygiene.

In photo: Before, improperly managed waste accumulated near homes, leaving residents surrounded by piles of trash. (Photos by Juan Blenn Huelgas for Action Against Hunger)

In June 2026, one material recovery facility (MRF) was installed at Vale Vista, Asinan, Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. The unit reinforces waste segregation and diversion efforts in the community.

In photo: Now, the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Vale Vista in Barangays Asinan and Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City provides a dedicated space for proper waste segregation and management, helping keep the surrounding community cleaner. (Photo by Roberto Saballero, Jr.)

Additionally, one rainwater harvester (RWH) was installed, with an additional one positioned in the Kasanyangan Health Center and Asinan Vale Vista, which serves as a model to reinforce water conservation.

In photo: A Rainwater Harvester at Vale Vista, Asinan, Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. (Photo by Roberto Saballero Jr)

The Floating Trash Traps (FTTs) are also a product of community innovation. Constructed by community members using recovered plastic bottles collected through the Material Recovery Facility and other local clean-up activities, the FTTs demonstrate how waste materials can be repurposed into practical environmental solutions.

In photo: Before, the community in Kasanyangan regularly conducted clean-up activities, but without a system to capture and monitor incoming waste, trash kept accumulating in the waterway. (Photo by Engel Merl de Villa for Action Against Hunger)

These traps capture floating waste before it reaches sensitive mangrove ecosystems, making clean-up activities more efficient while enabling EARTH Champions to monitor pollution hotspots and prioritize areas requiring continued action.

In photos: Floating Trash Trap (FTT) systems gathering waste in barangays Rio Hondo and Kasanyangan respectively, easing the clean-up process (Photos by Roberto Saballero Jr)

These improvements provide lasting systems in support of stronger community ownership of waste segregation, clean-ups and restorations.

Empowering Community Leadership

Increased community engagement and stewardship are fostering a growing sense of shared responsibility. As a result, participating communities are already demonstrating meaningful shifts in their day-to-day environmental practices that are providing visible changes to their surroundings.

As the EARTH project continues, activities will expand and deepen, continuing to implement community-led solutions, scaling nature-based approaches, and reinforcing local leadership.

“Through the EARTH project, communities are showing stronger ownership of solid waste management, clean-up drive activities, mangrove conservation, and environmental protection.

These efforts are promoting shared responsibility and positive behavioral change. We look forward to strengthening community-led solutions, expanding nature-based approaches, and supporting local leaders in sustaining these environmental initiatives for future generation.”

Mohammad Khan, Barangay Secretary of Kasanyangan

The most significant outcomes are not only the infrastructure installed or the hectares restored but the growing leadership of communities themselves. By managing local resources, restoring ecosystems, and taking collective action, communities are building resilience that will endure long after the project ends.

In photo: Action Against Hunger visits the mangrove nursery in Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. (Photo by Engel Merl de Villa for Action Against Hunger)

Latest milestones:

  • 2.84 hectares in Zamboanga and more than 0.13 hectares in Malabon have been planted as of June 2026
  • 28,400 propagules have been planted with 7,600 being planted between June 25 and 27th in Zamboanga alone.
  • 3 of 4 pilot infrastructures installed
  • One Material Recovery Facility installed
  • Two Rainwater Harvesters installed as of June

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.


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Water for Equality: A School Where Girls Can Learn with Dignity

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March 22 marks World Water Day, a global moment to reflect on the essential role of water in our lives. This year, the theme “Water for Equality” reminds us that the water crisis affects everyone, but not equally. When safe water and sanitation are out of reach, inequalities deepen, and both women and young girls carry the heaviest burden. According to the United Nations, across the world, females spend more time collecting water, face greater health and safety risks, and are more likely to miss out on education and opportunities.

Where water flows, equality grows. And when water is absent, inequality flourishes.

For young female students, these challenges start early. In the Philippines, the World Bank states that 8% of girls have reported skipping classes due to their menstruation and the challenges it entails, including the lack of water and the difficulty of maintaining proper hygiene in schools. In Siargao, water shortages are common for young students, even though the island receives a lot of rain each year. Rapid tourism growth and changing weather patterns continue to put pressure on local water sources.

In the municipality of San Benito on Siargao Island stands Nuevo Campo Elementary School, a small public school serving 60 children from kindergarten to Grade 6. Each day, young learners fill their classrooms with energy and hope. For years, limited access to water affected the daily routines of both students and teachers.

In photo: Teacher Elisavil stands in front of the classroom where she teaches daily at Nuevo Campo Elementary School in the Municipality of San Benito. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

While the lack of water affected all children, it had a particularly different impact on young female students.

“Without water in the restrooms, girls could not wash themselves properly or manage their hygiene with dignity,” says Elisavil, a grade six teacher  who has taught for 16 years. According to her, girls faced confusion and discomfort during their first menstruation. Having no water in the restrooms made the situation worse. Some delayed changing their sanitary pads, leading to stains on their clothes, and comments from male classmates often caused embarrassment and shame. In some cases, girls would go home to clean themselves at the expense of valuable learning time.

In the past, Elisavil recalls the frustration of being unable to fully support her students. “Many girls skipped classes to manage their periods at home, missing lessons and opportunities,” she shares.

In photo: Elisavil discusses in one of the classes of Nuevo Campo Elementary School in the Municipality of San Benito. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Today, she actively promotes hygiene and equality in her classroom, guiding proper handwashing and toothbrushing practices, and educating students about responsible water use.

Privacy concerns were also significant. Students sometimes entered bathrooms assigned to the opposite gender to find water, creating uncomfortable situations.

In photo: Jena, President of the Parents-Teachers Association at Nuevo Campo Elementary School in San Benito, Surigao del Norte. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Jena, 49, a parent and now president of the Parents and Teachers Association, confirmed these struggles. Having grown up in Nuevo Campo and attended the same elementary school, she now voluntarily manages school maintenance, ensures Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities function properly, and oversees the safety and well-being of students. She is, in every sense, the guardian of the school’s water system.

In photo: Jena, President of the Parents-Teachers Association at Nuevo Campo Elementary School in San Benito, Surigao del Norte, washes her hands inside the school kitchen. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Jena’s day begins early by cleaning the surroundings, checking the water system, and turning on the pump when pressure is low to ensure water reaches all faucets. Before the rehabilitation of the WASH facilities, she would walk back and forth up to five times a day to nearby water sources to ensure students had access, especially girls needing privacy for menstrual hygiene. She also cooks for the students, distributes food, washes dishes, and helps maintain the school garden.

Amid the challenges they faced, figures like Elisavil and Jena, became pillars of support.

In photo: Jena and Action Against Hunger Engineer, Mark Alain Punzalan, stand in front of the new pump house and elevated water tank at Nuevo Campo Elementary School in San Benito, Surigao del Norte. This was implemented by Action Against Hunger together with UNICEF. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Through the Typhoon Odette Recovery and Rehabilitation towards Climate Resilience project, implemented by Action Against Hunger and UNICEF, with the funding support of the government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the school received a pump house and an elevated water tank, ensuring a consistent water supply. Handwashing facilities were also repaired, providing students with safer and more reliable access to water.

Improved water access has made daily routines easier, particularly for young girls. They can manage hygiene more safely and privately, attend classes more comfortably, and focus better on their studies.

For Jena, “water for equality means that reliable access allows young girls to attend school with dignity, confidence, and equal opportunities to learn.” Elisavil echoes this, explaining that water for equality ensures every child has equal access to sanitation facilities, recognizing that the same problem, like lack of water, does not affect all students equally.

When communities put women and girls at the center of water solutions, everyone benefits.

Women like Elisavel and Jena, who support young female students during critical moments, are true water heroes—leaders, caretakers, and advocates for change.

Written by: Martina Vercoli
Editor: Joyce Sandajan

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WATER, HYGIENE, AND HOPE: SUPPORTING NANAY CARMEN AFTER THE FLOOD

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When Typhoon Kristine (Severe Tropical Storm Trami) struck Barobaybay, Camarines Sur, 76-year-old Nanay Carmen faced rising floodwaters, putting her already fragile health at risk. Like many vulnerable individuals, she struggled with limited access to clean water and basic hygiene products. Thanks to our intervention, with the support of UNICEF, we provided her with essential hygiene and water kits, allowing her to regain a sense of comfort and dignity. Discover her story…

 

Rising waters and anxiety

On the evening of October 20, 2024, 76-year-old Carmen C. Panuelos—known in her community as Nanay Carmen—felt anxious as heavy rains from Typhoon Kristine (known internationally as Severe Tropical Storm Trami) began flooding her neighborhood in Barobaybay, Bicol, Camarines Sur. The swelling Bicol River isolated the entire community for five days, making it too dangerous to seek help in neighboring areas.

Nanay Carmen, who has lived with high blood pressure, arthritis, and an untreated goiter for 30 years, stayed awake all night, worried about the rising waters surrounding her home. By 9:00 AM the next morning, October 21, 2024, the floodwaters had risen to chest height, forcing her to evacuate. With the support of barangay officials, she and her granddaughter, Elma, were transported by boat to the barangay hall, which served as an evacuation center.

Challenges in the Evacuation Center

The evacuation center, though a refuge, presented its own challenges. The cold, crowded conditions and lack of sanitation facilities strained Nanay Carmen’s health. By October 22, she developed a fever, and barangay health workers attended to her immediately. With shared, poorly equipped bathrooms and limited water supply, she struggled to meet her basic hygiene needs. Often, she avoided using the bathroom due to her mobility limitations and the lack of privacy. Unable to bathe, she felt uncomfortable and longed for her home, where she could restore some normalcy.

The long road to recovery

Food shortages added to her struggles, leaving her hungry and yearning to cook her own meals. By October 24, Nanay Carmen returned home, navigating knee-high floodwaters to find comfort in her familiar surroundings. However, she has since battled a persistent cough and cold, and her anxiety spikes whenever it rains heavily.
Nanay Carmen, a widow, lives with her 40-year-old son, her primary source of support. However, her son recently lost his job due to the typhoon’s impact, further straining their already limited financial resources. Together, they face daily challenges, especially in addressing Nanay Carmen’s health and hygiene needs.

Assistance through hygiene and water kits

On November 2, 2024, Nanay Carmen received hygiene and water kits from Action Against Hunger and UNICEF, with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for the first time. The kits contained essential items such as soap, laundry detergent, and water storage containers, which were otherwise unaffordable on her limited budget. These supplies enabled her to bathe, do laundry, and store water, addressing long-neglected needs.

Accompanying hygiene promotion sessions were equally impactful, helping Nanay Carmen understand the importance of proper hygiene practices for health and well-being. She shared her gratitude, saying, “Maraming salamat sa Action Against Hunger at UNICEF sa hygiene and water kits. Dahil sa kakulangan ng budget, hindi namin ito nabibili, kaya malaking tulong ito sa amin. Nabigyan ako ng pag-asa dahil sa malaking tulong ninyo.”

“Thank you to Action Against Hunger and UNICEF for the hygiene and water kits. Due to our limited budget, we can’t usually afford them, so this is a big help to us. Your support has given me hope.”

Nanay Carmen received essential hygiene and water kits.

Through the hygiene and water kits, Nanay Carmen regained the ability to care for herself and her surroundings. Despite her ongoing challenges, she is determined to apply what she learned about hygiene, improving her self-care while moving forward with renewed hope.

 

To know more about our emergency response : click here

 

 

Prepared by: Michelle D. Labay, MEAL Officer
Contributor: Mirriam Solleza, WASH Cluster Information Manager
Edited by: Joyce Sandajan, Communications Manager

 

Safe water in a safe community

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For Aslani Atha Casim and his family, getting clean water and safe access to hygiene facilities was a struggle in their community. The 27-year-old farmer lives with his wife and three kids in Barangay Baya, located in the Municipality of Ganassi, Lanao Del Sur.

Residents of Barangay Baya used to get their water from the nearby river which is half a kilometer away from the community. To get there, Aslani and his family would need to either hike or ride a horse so they could fetch water, do laundry, and take baths.

“It’s not easy because my wife and I have to carry heavy water containers going back home,” says Aslani. On rainy days, going to the river was difficult because the road would become slippery. This made Aslani worry about his family’s safety.

Through the ECHO-funded REACH Project, Action Against Hunger provided water, sanitation, & hygiene support to the community of Baya. This included rehabilitating the communal toilet that is separate for men and women. We also repaired existing tap stands to extend the water supply, so residents no longer need to travel far to access water from the river. Apart from this, the community also received hygiene promotion sessions that talked about personal hygiene, as well as maintaining the cleanliness of the communal toilets.

Solar lights were also installed to lighten the areas around the water and sanitation facilities and make the facilities safer to use in the evenings. Community members including the family of Aslani have participated in the hygiene promotion activities and learned about the good hygiene practices as well the prevention of water and sanitation related diseases. Health seeking and hygiene behavior were reinforced by these sessions since access to WASH facilities were made available in consideration of respect and dignity.

Aslani shares that the intervention has impacted their everyday lives now that they have WASH facilities that are socially inclusive.

He also highlighted that the new facilities make the women and children in their community feel safer. “I’m grateful that the toilet for men is separated from the women’s toilet. Children become more conscious of their hygiene, which is good because the facility is child friendly. “It has made people’s lives easier. We don’t have to ride a horse or walk under the sun. I don’t need to worry when my wife wants to wash the laundry because the [comfort room] is just a walking distance near our house,” Aslani said.

Since WASH facilities are available, more people have been coming to their barangay to get water. “This is a huge help for every Muslim in our barangay especially since Ramadhan is approaching and everyone would need water and [comfort room] for ablution,” Aslani added.

With support from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the “Response to the Unmet Humanitarian Needs of the Most Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Populations in Mindanao” or REACH 3 Project is implemented by ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, IDEALS, Inc., Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro, United Youth of the Philippines-Women, and Oxfam Pilipinas.

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Women for WASH: Celebrating Women and Girls in Science

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Let’s celebrate the International Day for Women and Girls in Science! We recognize and honor the achievements of women and girls in the field of science and their critical role in achieving and sustaining clean water and sanitation.

Miela De Gracia, an esteemed educator and former principal of the Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. Both Miela and her school were among the five awarded champions of the Department of Education’s Comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program last November 28 to 29, 2022.

To qualify as a WinS Champion, the school must sustain a three-star rating for three consecutive years. The rating will be based on the comprehensive criteria judged on hygiene, sanitation, water, deworming, and health education.

“It really takes shared leadership, shared governance, and shared responsibilities with the community to achieve something,”

With the continuous support of Action Against Hunger and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines through the “National Roll-out of Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PhATSS) and Integrated Program Modelling in Zamboanga del Norte” Project, Miela and her school are able to sustain ideal sanitation and hygiene standards.

Miela shares that this achievement was not due to her efforts alone, but rather it was the support of her community that made a difference. “It really takes shared leadership, shared governance, and shared responsibilities with the community to achieve something,” she adds.

Miela’s school, under her leadership, also led the Menstrual Health Management Campaign last September 29, 2022.

In photo: Miela receives a certificate of appreciation during the Menstrual Health Management Campaign last September 29, 2022. (Photo by Eden Somodio for Action Against Hunger)

The involvement of women and girls in STEM is not just important to have clean water and sanitation for all, as underscored by Sustainable Development Goal 6, but to achieve all 17 sustainable development goals.

By promoting the participation of women and girls in this field, we are ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of half of the world’s population are represented in developing solutions to water and sanitation issues.

The National Roll-out of Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PHATSS) and Integrated Program Modelling in Zamboanga del Norte Project is funded by the UNICEF, and implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines, with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and in coordination with the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte. Read more

Staying healthy and safe in times of crisis

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“I still remember how hard the wind and rain were that night. The children were crying out of fear.”

These were the words of 34-year-old Geraldine Quire-Quire as she recalls their night at the evacuation center when Typhoon Odette (internationally named Rai) made landfall in Siargao on the 16th of December 2021. As a mother, her family’s safety is her top priority.

Already pregnant with their third child, Geraldine had to take care of their two children and her disabled aunt by herself in the wake of Odette’s rampage. Geraldine’s husband was away in the city working as a watchman at the time.

The intensity of the typhoon was a horrific experience for the children, according to her. To make matters worse, they went home to find that the typhoon had partially damaged their house.

Months later, Geraldine finds some comfort in the life-saving support they received different organizations and government agencies. They are one of the families in Barangay Opong in Taganaan, Surigao del Norte who received water, sanitation, & hygiene materials from UNICEF Philippines through Action Against Hunger’s Super Typhoon Emergency WASH Response in Caraga. According to Geraldine, some of the items will prove to be useful when she gives birth.

 

Geraldine also participated in the hygiene promotion sessions of Action Against Hunger. After hearing reminders on COVID safety and how to practice proper hygiene and sanitation, she was eager to teach her children these hygiene habits.

In photo: Geraldine teaches her eldest daughter how to properly wash hands with soap and water based on what she learned from Action Against Hunger’s hygiene promotion sessions. (Photos by Abdul Alim Talusob for Action Against Hunger)

As of July 18, we have reached 81,957 people in Surigao del Norte with life-saving WASH support. Aside from giving access to safe water and sanitation services, our goal is to ensure that families like Geraldine’s adopt and sustain proper hygiene practices.

Our Super Typhoon Odette Emergency WASH Response in CARAGA is funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Fund (UN CERF), the Republic of Korea, and the Government of Japan through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines

Written by Adam Lacson, edited by Joyce Sandajan Read more

PBA 2021: Converging efforts with local government and RHUs to strengthen health and nutrition initiatives in Mindanao

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Limited access to quality health care has been one of the identified humanitarian gaps within remote areas even before the pandemic. This immediately took a turn for the worse when COVID-19 negatively impacted these health systems. Many primary healthcare services have become inaccessible due to the lockdown restrictions or overcapacity of patients. Conflict-affected communities─especially the poor, displaced, and those in other vulnerable conditions─are at greater risk more than ever.

This is why our Program-Based Approach (PBA) in Mindanao has been coordinating with rural health units to ensure that primary health services are available, sustainable, and easily accessed by vulnerable communities.

Since the second quarter of 2021, we have been sponsoring medical-dental missions of the local government with support funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Dental Services during the Health Mission at Lumbatan last August 23, 2021 (Photo by PBA Mindanao 2021 for Action Against Hunger)

A total of 1,202 people—collectively from Binidayan and Lumbatan of Lanao del Sur—participated in a series of activities from July 26 to September 2. Our nutrition screening activities were also integrated with the health mission to converge our health initiatives on the ground.

MUAC Screening during the Health Mission at Lumbatan on September 2, 2021 (Photo by PBA Mindanao 2021 for Action Against Hunger)

Following the nutrition screening, all individuals identified to have severe or moderate acute malnutrition were then referred to the RHUs to receive appropriate care and treatment. To supplement their nutritional needs, they will also receive financial assistance from our multi-purpose cash program.

Nutrition Awareness Session during the Health Mission in Binidayan on July 26, 2021(Photo by PBA Mindanao 2021 for Action Against Hunger)

Aside from these interventions, nutrition-awareness sessions were also held to refresh or heighten the participants’ knowledge of good health practices. In Binidayan, pregnant and lactating women (PLW) who are at nutritional risk also received hygiene kits and hygiene promotion sessions.

Hygiene Kit Distribution for PLWs at Binidayan during the Health Mission on July 26, 2021 (Photo by PBA Mindanao 2021 for Action Against Hunger)

Our efforts to stop and prevent hunger continues. We aim to fully protect, assist, and advocate for disadvantaged communities that are at greater risk to societal, environmental, and health crises.

The Program-Based Approach (PBA), otherwise referred to as ‘Multi-Sectoral Lifesaving Assistance to People Most Vulnerable to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Conflict, and Disasters ─ Mindanao Program 2021’ is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines.

Written by Joyce Anne Sandajan Read more

Limited Access to Clean and Safe Water is One of the Many Underlying Causes of Malnutrition

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Limited access to clean and safe water is one of the many underlying causes of malnutrition.

In order to address this, we truck water into affected areas and install storage tanks and reservoirs. Where water is scarce or unsafe, we protect natural springs, decontaminate wells, install and rehabilitate hygiene infrastructures and pipe water into hard-to-reach communities and health facilities.

Throughout our presence in the Philippines, we have been actively strengthening our water, sanitation & hygiene programs to support communities against preventable diseases.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱:
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/what-we-do/#water-sanitation

(Photos by EJ Villafranca for Action Against Hunger)

Our Teams Distribute Hygiene Kits and Build Latrines and Hand-Washing Stations to Prevent Outbreaks of Diseases During a Crisis

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Prior to the pandemic, our teams distribute hygiene kits and build latrines and hand-washing stations in the communities we work with to prevent outbreaks of diseases during a crisis. In communities at risk, we construct water filters made from basic materials and teach healthy practices like hand-washing, cooking with clean utensils, and drawing water from protected sources.

Read more about our WASH projects and find out how you can support us: https://actionagainsthunger.ph/what-we-do/#water-sanitation