Philippines: 2023 Significant Natural Hazards and Conflicts Snapshot (As of 12 January 2024)

In 2023, natural hazards and conflict affected more than 13.7 million people in the Philippines. Only 11 tropical cyclones (TC) entered the Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2023 from an average of 20 tropical cyclones, tied with 2010 with fewest number of TCs since 1948. Despite the below average TCs entering PAR and strong typhoons not making direct landfall, it enhanced southwest monsoon and shear lines that brought heavy rains causing floods and landslides to affected areas. In December 2023, a series of strong earthquakes hit Mindanao that caused extensive damage to infrastructures, displacement of people and loss of lives. The year 2023 was also seen as the start of a strong El Niño that increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions and will persist until May 2024.