Relentless typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi leave trail of destruction across the Philippines: Plan International launches emergency response

Metro Manila, Philippines — In a relentless onslaught, a second powerful typhoon in less than a week has slammed into the Philippines, unleashing catastrophic winds, torrential rain, and deadly storm surges on communities still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino.

Typhoon Fung-wong, locally called Uwan, has rapidly intensified into a super typhoon before making landfall on the country’s eastern coast on Sunday, November 9, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts reaching 215 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Initial reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reveal widespread flooding, crippling power outages, and deadly landslides across several provinces. Thousands of families have fled their homes as coastal villages were swallowed by surging waters.

The latest disaster struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through the central Visayas region, leaving nearly 200 dead and tens of thousands homeless. Entire villages were flattened, crops destroyed, and essential infrastructure rendered useless. Kalmaegi’s wrath extended beyond the Philippines, claiming more lives as it swept across northern Vietnam.

“We didn’t know if we would have anywhere to return to,” shared Mary Ann, a 34-yearold mother from Southern Leyte. Typhoon Tino struck the province on Tuesday morning, wreaking havoc in the municipalities of Silago, Saint Bernard, and Bontoc.

“Thankfully, we evacuated in time, or we might not be here today,” she said. Mary Ann and her family are now safe at a designated evacuation center, but she worries about what comes next. “We don’t know where we will get the materials to rebuild our home.
Right now, all we hope for is to receive essential supplies like food and water, especially since I have a five-month-old baby.”

The impact of Typhoon Fung-Wong has made immediate assistance even more urgent.
Local authorities and humanitarian groups are racing against time to respond to the compounded crisis. With roads blocked and communication lines down in several areas, rescue operations have been hampered, leaving many communities cut off from aid.

Plan International Pilipinas has mobilized emergency response teams to hardest-hit areas, conducting repid needs assessment to deliver life-saving water, hygiene kits, and menstrual hygiene management kits to those most in need.

“The situation is dire - children and young women are in grave danger,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas. “In crises like these, girls are often the most vulnerable. They urgently need safe spaces and access to essential health care and services to help them recover and rebuild their lives. Our teams are working around the clock to reach the most devastated communities, but we cannot do it alone. Every act of generosity can help save lives.”

The Philippines faces an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, ranking among the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Experts warn the storms are growing more frequent and violent, fueled by the escalating climate crisis.

About Plan International

Plan International works with children and girls in more than 85 countries to help create a world where we are all equal. To do this, we tackle the root causes of the challenges and inequalities that children and young girls face. We’re there for children from birth until adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity.
We have been working in the Philippines since 1961. Our Country Office is in Makati City, and we have programme and project areas in Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, North Samar, West Samar, East Samar, Southern Leyte, Central Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

For further information or interview requests, please contact:

Cao Tran Que Chi Regional Communications Officer, Plan International Vietnam Chi.CaoTranQue@plan-international.org

Malaya Montesur Strategic Communications Specialist, Plan International Pilipinas malaya.montesur@plan-international.org