Manila, Philippines (September 27, 2025) — CARE Philippines and its partners are expanding their emergency assistance after Typhoon Opong made landfall, compounding a crisis for communities still reeling from two previous storms and an enhanced southwest monsoon. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the successive weather events have affected 520,000 families, and displaced 1,000,000 individuals, across 15 regions. 

CARE’s emergency response teams are working closely with local partners, including the Humanitarian Partnership Platform and ACCESS consortium, to rapidly assess the most urgent needs and are preparing to distribute Emergency CARE Packages™. 

“We are acting early to reduce risk and protect lives,” said Reiza S. Dejito, Country Director of CARE Philippines. “Side by side with local partners, we’re ensuring timely, safe, and dignified support—placing those most at risk in last-mile communities at the center of our response: women and girls, older people, persons with disabilities, and indigenous communities.” 

Some of the most urgent needs identified include food assistance and livelihood support as flooded fields, damaged boats, and lost daily wages hit families hardest, particularly at-risk and indigenous upland communities. Safe water, hygiene supplies, proper sanitation, and emergency shelter with essential household items are needed in crowded evacuation centers, alongside protection measures (such as well-lit, separate spaces and services for women, and girls; psychosocial support; and dignity kits). Learning is disrupted, requiring temporary learning spaces and basic materials so classes can resume. 

“Our teams are ready and coordinating with authorities, partners, and community leaders to identify the hardest-hit areas quickly and get assistance where it’s needed most,” said Jessan Catre, Humanitarian, Disaster Resilience and Peacebuilding Coordinator, CARE Philippines. 

Each year, multiple tropical cyclones and monsoons affect the Philippines, driving recurrent flooding and disruptions to essential services. The impacts of these back-to-back, interacting hazards make recovery challenging for many communities, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.  

CARE Philippines has provided humanitarian and development support since 1949. As one of the most disaster-prone countries globally, the Philippines faces significant challenges, and CARE remains at the forefront of delivering life-saving support to communities most in need. According to the World Risk Index report, the Philippines has been ranked as the country most at risk for disasters for four consecutive years. This context underscores the critical importance of CARE’s work in disaster preparedness and strengthening local capacity. 

Note to Editors: 

The Emergency CARE Package™ is a lightweight, 20 kg kit with 39 essential items to help a family of four for one month. It includes supplies for shelter, clean water, hygiene, and cooking.   

• The kit was successfully tested in Nepal after an earthquake, where it received positive feedback. CARE plans to provide the packages to communities in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Southern African Region, reaching 6,200 people. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Mary Therese L. Norbe, CARE Philippines Communications Specialist 

Email: marytherese.norbe@care.org, Contact Number: +639199117534