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Four days after the quake, access to isolated Mindanao communities remains urgent  

  • CARE Philippines
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

CARE Philippines, Manila, 12 June 2026 —  As the Philippines marks Independence Day, more than 400,000 people have been affected, with tens of thousands displaced and many homes damaged. Forty-seven lives have been lost. Some villages can still only be reached by boat or helicopter. In other areas, entire communities remain cut off by damaged roads and impassable bridges.  More than 3,000 aftershocks and three magnitude 6.0 earthquakes have been recorded since June 8, 2026 making assessment and delivery difficult and dangerous. Every day that communities cannot be reached is another day without food, clean water, or medical care. 

“What will become of our land? Going back would only put us in more danger,” said Siolito Moldan, a resident of Jose Abad Santos. Cracks have spread across the mountainside above his community, and large boulders still loom over homes below. With aftershocks continuing, returning is more dangerous than staying away. “There is nothing to go back to.” His neighbor Leonila Manda shares his fear. But she has already seen the worst of it. A rockslide from the mountain damaged her home, and a landslide swept away the coconut trees that her family depends on for their income. “I am scared of what will happen to us in the days ahead,” she said. “We have lost our home and our livelihood. What do we do now?” 

The earthquake destroyed and damaged houses in a Brgy. Butulan, Jose Abad Santos. ©2026 Riza Marie Fausto/CARE

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines’ Country Director, said teams in the field are meeting families anxious about water, food, shelter, and the risk of further disasters on already weakened slopes. Access remains urgent. Some communities are difficult to reach because of landslides, damaged roads, disrupted transport, and continuing safety risks. 

“The next 48 to 72 hours are critical,” said Dejito. “This is a moment for coordinated action. We must move with speed, humility, and discipline — supporting local leadership, filling urgent gaps, and ensuring that no community is left behind simply because it is hard to reach.” 

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, and Mindanao is among its most vulnerable regions due to poverty and conflict. Many families in the upland areas are afraid to go back to their homes. They fear what another strong aftershock, or a heavy downpour, might do to a hillside that is already cracked and weakened. With the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasting above-normal rainfall and possible El Nino conditions in the months ahead, this fear is grounded in reality. The risk of secondary disasters such as landslides, flooding, and further road collapse is real, and it is growing. 

CARE Philippines is also concerned on the impact of the situation to women and girls who carry a disproportionate burden in this crisis and facing barriers that men do not. Evacuation centers are crowded and often lack lighting, private spaces, or separate sanitation facilities, raising the risk of gender-based violence. Dignity kits with hygiene items and sanitary products that women and girls rely on are in critically short supply. Women in isolated communities face a double burden: cut off from aid by damaged roads, and unsupported within the evacuation centers they have fled to.

CARE humanitarian worker consults with women, girls on their situation after the earthquake in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. ©2026 Riza Marie Fausto/CARE

“Across the affected areas in Mindanao, where women already faced higher rates of poverty and violence before the earthquake, a response that does not reach them specifically will leave the most at-risk people further behind.”, emphasized Dejito.  

CARE Philippines, through the ACCESS Consortium — a group of 14 humanitarian organizations supported by the European Union — is already on the ground. Teams have distributed personal hygiene items and clean water supplies to 150 families in Maasim and T’boli and have provided psychosocial support to 377 people, including 77 children in evacuation centers in Malapatan. But with nearly 85,000 families affected across 349 communities, the response must be expanded immediately. 

“Independence should not mean being left to survive alone,” added Dejito. “We know where the needs are. What’s missing is the speed and scale to reach them. Every delay puts more lives at risk.”

For thousands of families still waiting for help, the measure of this moment is not commemoration – but how quickly and fairly assistance reaches those most in need. As the nation reflects on Independence, CARE calls for urgent, collective action to ensure that no community remains isolated or left behind. 

Photos: Respone_CARE Philippines_7.8 earthquake_June 8 2026 

—–  

Notes to editors  

Scale of the disaster: As of 12 June 2026, 47 people have died, 33 remain missing, and more than 630 have been injured. Some 96,614 families — 432,999 people — across 374 barangays in Regions IX, XI, XII, and BARMM. An estimated 4.13 million people were exposed to strong shaking. More than 30,000 homes have been damaged, including more than 5,000 totally destroyed.  

State of calamity: Four local government units — Alabel and Glan in Sarangani Province, Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental province, and General Santos City — have declared a state of calamity, enabling access to emergency funds and measures. 

Access and isolation: In Jose Abad Santos, approximately 50 percent of the municipality is still unreachable by land, with three upland barangays accessible only by boat or helicopter. In Glan, 10 of 31 barangays remain cut off. Road and bridge damage continues to slow the delivery of aid to the most affected areas. CARE is working with partners and authorities to find solutions to reach isolated communities as quickly as possible. 

Women and girls: Women and girls face heightened risks of violence, illness, and exclusion in emergency settings. Access to dignity kits, separate sanitation, mental health support, and safe spaces remains limited. Water contamination in parts of Sarangani and Davao Occidental creates serious risks for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. CARE calls for women and girls’ specific needs to be built into every stage of the response. 

Education: As of June 11, more than 1,300 public schools across 37 divisions have sustained damage. Classes have been suspended for approximately 3.24 million learners. Many school buildings are currently serving as evacuation centers. 

——About CARE Philippines: CARE is one of the world’s leading organizations working to end poverty. In the Philippines, CARE has been working since 1949 on disaster response, supporting women and girls, and helping communities become more resilient. CARE Philippines leads the ACCESS Consortium and the Philippine Inclusive NGO Network and actively participates in the Humanitarian Country Team organized by the United Nations.  

For interview set-up and additional information:  

Mary Therese L. Norbe  |  CARE Philippines Communication Specialist 

+63 919 911 7534  |  marytherese.norbe@care.org 

7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines, aftershocks felt, tsunami warnings issued

CARE Philippines stands ready to respond alongside partners

Manila, Philippines, June 8, 2026 — “Our hearts are with every family in Mindanao and across the broader region waking up to fear and loss this morning. When a disaster of this scale strikes, the first concern is always the same: saving lives and keeping people safe.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province in the southern Philippines early today, leaving at least fifteen people dead and injuring 129 others, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Shaking was felt across five regions – from SOCCSKSARGEN and the Davao Region to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and as far as Eastern Visayas – with the strongest intensities recorded in Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Davao Occidental. The earthquake also triggered tsunami warnings across nine coastal provinces, prompting immediate evacuations.

When emergencies like this strike, the most urgent concern is loss of life. The situation is still evolving, and the full scale of the impact is not yet known. Strong aftershocks continue to be reported, and commercial buildings have collapsed in hard-hit areas. Coastal communities in fragile housing face the greatest risk from tsunami surges, while disrupted access to water, health services, and shelter deepens the vulnerability of those already living on the margins. We urge everyone in affected areas to stay alert and follow the guidance of local authorities.

CARE Philippines, together with partners in the EU Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project and the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP), is coordinating with local governments and disaster risk reduction authorities to assess needs and stand ready to support communities as the situation develops. We are committed to making sure that assistance reaches those who need it most – quickly, safely, and with dignity.”

For years, the Philippines has been ranked as the most disaster-prone country in the world, according to the World Risk Index. Over the last year alone, our country has been hit by multiple strong typhoons and high magnitude earthquakes.  In late 2025, back-to-back earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental affected nearly 2.3 million people. CARE and its partners have responded to both, and communities have shown remarkable resilience in rebuilding their lives. Yet many families are still transitioning out of temporary shelters, and the psychological toll of repeated disasters is real and ongoing.

We know from these experiences that every time disasters occur, the hardest hit are women and girls. They face complex, compounding risks long after the ground stops shaking- in their homes, in their health, and in their ability to recover. CARE is committed to ensuring that assistance reaches the right people, at the right time, with the right resources.”

– Reiza S. Dejito, Country Director, CARE Philippines, June 8, 2026

For media inquiries:

Mary Therese L. Norbe

Communication Specialist

CARE Philippines

Email: marytherese.norbe@care.org

Contact number: +639199117534

A farmer stands in a green vegetable farm surrounded by leafy crops, with trees and hills visible in the background.

After the storm: How one mother rebuilt her farm and future in Catanduanes

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

Analyn Añonuevo, 37, is a mother of five from Virac, Catanduanes. She and her husband relied on abaca farming for their family’s income. But Catanduanes, the country’s top producer of abaca fiber and often called the “Land of the Howling Winds,” faces destructive storms almost every year. Abaca takes years to mature. So, a single typhoon can erase years of work and investment. This became reality for Analyn when Typhoon Goni, locally known as Rolly, struck in 2020. It destroyed her family’s entire abaca farm. With four children in school and a toddler at home, the loss was staggering.

Rather than giving up, Analyn chose to focus on the possibility of a fresh start.

“What we lost could not be recovered but we believed that starting over was still possible”, Analyn said.

In late 2024, Analyn joined CARE Philippines’ Women and Youth Economic Empowerment (WEE) project. While her husband later moved to Manila to work in construction, she stayed behind to manage their farm and lead their local farmers group. Through the project, Analyn realized that relying only on abaca left her family at risk, since the crop takes years to recover after a major storm.

A farmer bends over eggplant plants, harvesting long purple eggplants in a green vegetable field, with trees and hills in the background.
Analyn checks the eggplant from her diversified farm in Virac, Catanduanes. By growing vegetables alongside abaca, she has strengthened her family’s food supply and income in a province regularly affected by typhoons.
A woman makes a twine out of Manila hemp (abaca) fibers.
Analyn makes abaca twine out of fibers harvested from her abaca plants. Abaca remains their primary source of livelihood.

The project’s training encouraged her to diversify their livelihood. While she continues to make twine from abaca, Analyn began growing vegetables such as chilies, squash, eggplant, and string beans. The vegetables provide food for the family and regular income from selling what they do not consume. Meanwhile, abaca remains a long-term source of earnings. Since December 2024, she has harvested several times, creating a steady cash flow that was not possible when she depended on a single crop.

As a farmer leader, Analyn now shares her experience with others. She manages the community demonstration farm and encourages fellow farmers to adopt diversified farming. When challenges arise, the results from the demo farm remind the group that they are no longer dependent on one harvest. Their farms are becoming productive, multi-crop spaces that support both their families and the local economy.

About the project

Supported by the Tijori Foundation, the WEE project aims to improve women’s economic empowerment and the social well-being of abaca and root crops farmers, processors, traders, and workers. It is being implemented by CARE Philippines in 17 barangays in Bato and Virac municipalities in Catanduanes province to help rebuild livelihoods and support local abaca farming communities.

A young man finds his footing through steady work in Baguio City

On a construction site in Baguio City, the work is repetitive and demanding. Cement is mixed, walls rise slowly, and progress shows only after hours of physical effort. For Jonathan Sabio, 22, known to friends as Atan, this steady rhythm means something he once thought was out of reach: stability.

Atan hails from from Rodriguez, Rizal. He finished elementary school, but finding regular work proved difficult. Days without income stretched into months, and uncertainty became his norm. Without stable employment, his life felt directionless.

“My life wasn’t good,” he said. “I had no job and was getting into vices.”

With few options, Atan relied on informal labor when it was available. The lack of steady work left him dependent and frustrated, and caused strain at home, especially with his mother.

Things began to change when Atan joined skills training under the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening (HERS) project, supported by CARE and partners. Through the project, he trained in construction masonry and secured his first formal job, complete with benefits.

Moving to Baguio for training and work became an important turning point. Being away from home gave him space to focus and step away from habits he wanted to leave behind.

“I was able to get away from our place,” he said. “I was able to avoid all the bad things I used to do.”

For the first time, Atan had steady work. After working consistently for four months, he began saving money and sending support home to his mother. What once felt impossible became routine.

“I was able to help my mother, unlike before, when I only caused her worry,” he shared.

The job brought more than income. The physical work helped improve his health, and working alongside others strengthened his communication and interpersonal skills. Over time, he grew more confident in his abilities and in his future.

With practical skills and on‑the‑job experience, he now sees construction as a long‑term livelihood. He knows that when the current project in Baguio City ends, other opportunities are likely to follow.

Looking back, he sees a clear line between who he was and who he is becoming.

“What I won’t forget is that, despite my old way of life, everything changed when I joined the HERS Project,” he said.

Today, Atan takes pride in steady work and in being able to support his family. His story shows how access to skills and formal employment can help young people regain direction and build a more stable future, one day of work at a time.

A recipe for resilience: The women of Momshies’ Hapag Kainan

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

Before the sun rises over the busy streets of Antipolo, the aroma of sautéed garlic and fresh ginger begins to waft from a small, brightly painted storefront. For Emelyn Dije and her three close friends, this scent is more than just the promise of a good meal; it is the smell of a hard-won independence that once felt out of reach.

Emelyn spent 16 years working as a restaurant cook in Quezon City before she stopped to raise her six children in Antipolo City. To keep her family afloat, she balanced an exhausting schedule of selling balut (fertilized duck eggs) at night and taking on laundry and ironing jobs during the day. Her story was mirrored by her friends Sheena, Sherine, and Cristhaline. All of them struggled to make a tight weekly budget last, often worrying if they could provide the basic needs of their families, especially, their children.

“It’s difficult because odd jobs are not sustainable,” Emelyn shared. “Sometimes, people are not buying balut. Washing and ironing just happens when the client needs you.”

The turning point came through the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening (HERS) project by CARE. This project helps women and youth across Rizal province build better livelihoods by providing training in how to manage their finances and run a small businesses. Equipped with new skills and a cash grant, the women saw an opportunity in a vacant space at the front of Emelyn’s house.

They transformed the empty space into “Momshies Hapag Kainan,” a vibrant eatery that opened its doors in September 2025. The grant allowed them to repair the leaking roof, apply a fresh coat of paint, and install a professional cooking counter.

Located near a tricycle terminal and the local gym, the shop quickly became a favorite spot in the neighborhood. “I am happy because I can use my cooking skills to earn money,” Emelyn said.

The change in their workspace was only the beginning of a deeper shift in their lives. The team now starts their day at 3 a.m. to buy the freshest ingredients, ensuring they are ready to serve breakfast by 6 a.m. to workers starting their day. Because the meals are both nutritious and affordable, they consistently sell out by noon. This schedule provides them with a steady income while still leaving them time to care for their families in the afternoon.

Emelyn cooks chicken while Sheena attends to customers buying food at their eatery. Photos: @2026 Mary Therese Norbe/CARE

By the end of 2025, the group had doubled their original savings. This success led to a Christmas celebration unlike any they had experienced before.

The profits turned into real milestones: Emelyn and Cristhaline bought laptops for their families, Sherine made a down payment for a motorcycle to help her husband earn more, and Sheena bought a washing machine to save time on chores.

Sheena loads laundry to her new washing machine while Cristhaline checks her online shop on her laptop. Photos: @2026 Mary Therese Norbe/CARE

For these women, the success of Momshies Hapag Kainan is measured in more than just money. Sherine feels a profound sense of relief, noting that “everyday meals are no longer a problem.” Emelyn no longer fears the days her husband is out of work, explaining, “I no longer need to borrow money when my husband loses work, because I now have my own source of income.”

They have built a bond of trust and a safety net that gives them the freedom to make their own choices, even when it comes to simple joys.

“We can eat in restaurants, and go to the mall together without asking our husbands for money,” Sheena shared.

What began as a small eatery has become proof of what is possible when women have the tools to lead. Together, they are cooking up a future that sustains their entire community.

The HERS project is implemented by CARE Philippines in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with support from the Tijori Foundation.

DOH, CARE Philippines explore digital learning for community health workers

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories

The Department of Health (DOH) and CARE Philippines recently held a round table discussion to study if the HEAL Hub app can become an official learning platform for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) across the country.

The meeting brought together key representatives from DOH offices, including the Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS), the Bureau of Local Health Systems Development (BLHSD), the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) Cancer Division, and CHD CALABARZON, and the PhilHealth.

The discussion focused on the viability of the DOH adapting the app to provide standardized training on critical health issues, including new modules on cancer awareness. Unlike traditional information systems, the HEAL Hub is a digital learning tool that allows BHWs to watch educational videos and complete lessons at their own pace, even in areas with limited internet.

Key highlights from the discussion:

  • Scaling through Partnership: CARE Philippines shared plans to transfer the HEAL Hub to the DOH through a deed of donation. This ensures the government can manage and update the app to reach more health workers.
  • Support for Frontline Workers: Representatives from the participating bureaus explored how the app’s animated lessons and offline features make learning more engaging and accessible for BHWs.
  • National Alignment: The group discussed how to align the app’s content with the BHW Reference Manual and national health goals, ensuring every community receives accurate and consistent health advice.

By exploring this digital partnership, the DOH and CARE Philippines aim to provide community health workers with the best tools to further enhance their capacity. These tools will help BHWs increase their confidence and knowledge, allowing them to provide quality health care and accurate health information to the wider community.







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Scaling through Partnership: CARE Philippines shared plans to transfer the HEAL Hub to the DOH through a deed of donation. This ensures the government can manage and update the app to reach more health workers.

Support for Frontline Workers: Representatives from the participating bureaus explored how the app’s animated lessons and offline features make learning more engaging and accessible for BHWs.

CARE Philippines Country Director Reiza Dejito’s Statement on the Ongoing Impact of Mt. Mayon Eruption

[January 8, 2025- Manila]- “PHIVOLCS has maintained Alert Level 3 for Mayon Volcano, indicating ongoing lava flow and the possibility of more hazardous eruptions.

We commend the Philippine government, especially PHIVOLCS and local disaster councils, for their quick action to move families out of the six-kilometer danger zone and monitor the volcano day and night. According to the latest reports, 3,515 people (964 families) have been affected; most are now staying in evacuation centers.

CARE Philippines and our local partners recognize the ongoing needs of affected communities. Women and girls are often hit hardest when people are displaced, facing more difficulty accessing basic services and greater risks to their safety, while carrying more caregiving responsibilities. The need for urgent action is clear.

We stand ready to support and coordinate with the government, humanitarian organizations, the private sector, and local communities in ensuring families have access to food, safe shelter, clean water, hygiene supplies, and emotional support.”

As volcanic activity can escalate can change quickly, strong coordination, anticipatory action, and resource mobilization are critical to protect lives and dignity. CARE Philippines and partners are coordinating closely with government agencies and will continue supporting collective efforts to keep communities safe.”

###  

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Mary Therese L. Norbe 

CARE Philippines Communications Specialist  

(English, Filipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon) 

marytherese.norbe@care.org

Mobile No. +639 19 911 7534

Whatsapp: +639 39 893 4884

Note to Editors:  

  • CARE Philippines has been doing humanitarian and development work in the Philippines since 1949. Today, CARE Philippines is one of the leading humanitarian NGOs in the Philippines fighting poverty and delivering life-saving assistance to vulnerable Filipinos and communities.  (www.care-philippines.org)
  • The Philippines continues to be the most at-risk country in the world and have the least societal capacity to respond to natural disasters, according to the World Risk Index Report from 2023 to 2025.  

Rapid Humanitarian Analysis: Cebu Earthquake

  • CARE Philippines
  • Featured Stories, Humanitarian, Latest News & Stories, Reports & Publications, Resources, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

On September 30, 2025, a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck northern Cebu, damaging homes, disrupting livelihoods, and displacing thousands of families in Daanbantayan, Medellin, and San Remigio. Many people are still living in temporary shelters and facing challenges in accessing clean water, food, and health services.

CARE Philippines, through its SAFER and ACCESS projects, carried out a Rapid Humanitarian Analysis (RHA) from October 7–14, 2025. The assessment looks at how the earthquake affected women, men, children, and other at-risk groups, and identifies urgent needs and opportunities for recovery.

The report highlights priorities such as safe shelter, clean water, health and psychosocial support, and livelihood recovery—while promoting inclusive solutions that restore dignity and resilience.

Read the full report to learn what communities are facing and how we can work together to rebuild lives in northern Cebu: RHA-Cebu-Earthquake.pdf

Escalating crisis: On the 12th anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines braces for another super typhoon

  • CARE Philippines
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

Photo: CARE staff Sandra Bulling talk to survivors of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The typhoon caught the Philippines by surprise by the typhoons size and strength and is believed to be one of the strongest typhoons on record. Thousands have died across a large area of land and CARE are responding with food and shelter material. Photo: CARE/Peter Caton

CARE, Manila, November 8, 2025 – Exactly 12 years to the day after Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) claimed more than 6,000 lives in 2013, the Philippines is facing another potential super typhoon. CARE Philippines is bracing for Typhoon Fung-wong (locally named Uwan). Forecasters expect it to intensify into a super typhoon just four days after Typhoon Tino devastated the Visayas.

“It is heartbreaking and terrifying that on this day of remembrance for Haiyan, communities are once again forced to flee their homes. We are witnessing an unbroken cycle of destruction that is pushing people to their breaking point,” said Reiza S. Dejito, Country Director of CARE Philippines. “Families in the Visayas have barely started cleaning the mud from their homes after Typhoon Tino, and now they must prepare for Uwan. This is the stark reality of the climate crisis—hazards are becoming so frequent that there is zero time to recover.”

Typhoon Uwan is projected to track towards Luzon. It may make landfall in Catanduanes—an island province that has not yet fully recovered from Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) last year. CARE is deeply concerned for abaca farmers there. Their newly replanted crops take two years to mature and are at high risk from the approaching storm.

Meanwhile, the situation in the south remains critical. Dinagat Islands and Southern Leyte, areas hit first by Typhoon Tino only four days ago, are back under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals today due to Uwan’s expansive reach.

CARE Philippines is managing a complex, multi-front response. Teams are on the ground providing life-saving aid to flood and lahar survivors in Cebu and Negros from Typhoon Tino. At the same time, we are assessing readiness for Uwan’s anticipated impact in Luzon.

Notes to the editor:

  • Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) made its first landfall on November 8, 2013. It is the deadliest typhoon in Philippine modern history, with over 6,300 confirmed dead.
  • Typhoon Fung-wong (Uwan) is forecast to rapidly intensify and may reach super typhoon category before a possible close approach or landfall over Catanduanes on November 9.
  • Typhoon Tino, which made landfall on November 4, has already affected over 1.4 million people and displaced more than 600,000.
  • CARE Philippines is responding to these compounded crises through its local partners and the ACCESS Consortium.

Media contacts:

Mary Therese L. Norbe

CARE Philippines Communications Specialist (English, Filipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon) marytherese.norbe@care.org

CARE Philippines takes early action as Typhoon Tino threatens vulnerable communities

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

CARE, Manila, Philippines, November 3, 2025 – CARE Philippines is mobilizing in anticipation of Typhoon Tino, which has intensified and is expected to make landfall tonight in Eastern Samar. The storm, combined with the intensified Eastern shear line, is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall, posing a high risk of widespread flooding and landslides, particularly for communities along the eastern seaboard and those with existing flood hazards. 

The state weather bureau PAGASA reported that “Tino” now has maximum sustained winds of 120 kph with gusts up to 150 kph. It is forecast to make its initial landfall at or near its peak intensity of up to 165 kph. 

“We are working with our local partners across the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP), Start Ready, and the ACCESS Consortium to ensure that critical support reaches the most at-risk communities, fast and effectively,” said Reiza S. Dejito, Country Director of CARE Philippines. 

In Eastern Samar, CARE is initiating early response actions through its Start Ready project, supported by the Start Network. This includes coordination with local authorities, the pre-positioning of essential supplies, and ensuring the readiness of response teams. 

Photo: CARE staff hands a shelter Non-Food Item (NFI) kit and a solar lamp to a community member in Medellin, Cebu on October 30, as part of its Cebu Earthquake Emergency Response.

Dejito also emphasized that CARE is closely monitoring the situation in areas still recovering from previous disasters, such as northern Cebu which was hit by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30 and now lies in the typhoon’s projected path. “Our teams are coordinating with local partners to assess risks, communicate early warnings, and prepare for potential compound impacts,” she said. 

“We know that those already coping with disaster impacts—especially women, girls, and people with disabilities—face heightened risks when storms hit. That’s why we take early action, reinforce local capacities, and focus on delivering timely, targeted support before the worst conditions arrive.” 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Mary Therese L. Norbe

Communications Specialist

marytherese.norbe@care.org

Notes to the editor: 

  • CARE’s initial response priorities include food, clean water, shelter support, and hygiene kits. 
  • This mobilization for Typhoon Tino comes as CARE Philippines continues its response to other recent disasters, including Tropical Cyclone Opong, and the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao.
  • CARE Philippines has a long history of responding to typhoons, including Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013, Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) in 2021 and Super Typhoon Nando (2025).  

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