Attachments
Highlights
• From 22 October to 17 November, the Philippines experienced a series of severe weather disturbances, which impacted millions of people in 17 out of 18 regions.
• Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Trami (local name: Kristine), the 11th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, was quickly followed by Super Typhoon (STY) Kong-rey (Leon), Typhoon (TY) Yinxing (Marce), TY Toraji (Nika), STY Usagi (Ofel), and STY Man-yi (Pepito). The typhoons caused heavy rainfall across the country – triggering widespread flooding and landslides.
• Over 10 million people (2.56 million families) were affected within four weeks, with many of them displaced multiple times.
• In response to the impacts of STY Ofel and Pepito, UNICEF is conducting rapid needs assessments in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, and Catanduanes to update its response plan.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
The typhoons left a trail of devastation across the Philippines, compounding humanitarian challenges for millions of affected individuals. With widespread flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to homes, schools and health facilities, vulnerable populations are facing heightened risks to their health, nutrition, safety, and education. As recovery efforts continue, coordinated interventions are crucial in addressing immediate needs and supporting longterm resilience in the hardest-hit regions.
UNICEF and other humanitarian organizations are receiving reports of worsening health conditions for children and families in temporary shelters, where exposure to infectious diseases is higher due to contaminated floodwaters. Disease surveillance systems have been activated by DOH, with consultations primarily for upper respiratory tract infections, wounds, high blood pressure, flu-like illnesses, and acute gastroenteritis.
DOH reported 56 casualties (13 deaths, 43 injuries) from TY Nika, TS Ofel, and STY Pepito in addition to the 249 (142 deaths, 107 injuries) from TY Leon and STS Kristine.
Flood-damaged immunization supplies – refrigerators, carriers, and syringes – have compromised routine immunization efforts meant to address the low coverage in the regions. Furthermore, the damaged supplies of therapeutic food, ironfolic acid, and micronutrient powder have halted treatment for severe and moderate acute malnutrition. Food rations provided to families are often unsuitable for infants.
Establishing community- and facility-based nutrition services remains critical to managing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Cluster coordination and information management at national and subnational levels; promotion of breastfeeding, in line with government guidelines; and augmentation of life-saving nutrition commodities are urgent priorities.
Children and families face significant mental health and psychosocial challenges as they need safe spaces for play, recreation, and informal education. Disrupted protective systems have increased the risks of gender-based violence, separation from caregivers, and loss of civil documents like birth certificates. Initial assessments reveal children suffering from anxiety, lack of privacy, and limited safe spaces in evacuation centers. Urgent action is needed to establish childfriendly spaces, restore civil documentation, and ensure access to resources in hard-to-reach areas.
Regions affected by Typhoon Kristine, including Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 3 (Central Luzon) are facing issues like open defecation, uncollected trash, and outbreaks of diarrhea and measles. Pre-emptive evacuations helped reduce some losses, but the government's water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies are limited. Only PHP1.3 million worth of WASH supplies were delivered to local governments out of the PHP5.8 million available nationwide. Areas like Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, San Jose, Sangay, and Siruma in Camarines Sur and Northern Catanduanes are among the hardest hit by STY Pepito, with urgent WASH needs identified in initial assessments.
Economic hardship has worsened, particularly in Camarines Sur, where the poverty rate is 29.4 per cent, far above the national average. Despite cash transfers from the government and others to affected families in Albay and Camarines Sur, the coverage is not enough to reach all affected households. As families transition to early recovery, an unrestricted multipurpose financial assistance is crucial to enable dignified decision making and prioritization of needs amid rising food prices and widespread destruction.