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CARE staff loads an Emergency CARE Package to be delivered and distributed to typhoon-affected communities

CARE Philippines, partners respond as TC Opong compounds needs from recent storms 

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 

Briefer: Empower and Mobilize Potential Opportunities for Work, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience (EMPOWER the Youth)

CARE Philippines, with support from the Tijori Foundation, implements the Empower and Mobilize Potential Opportunities for Work, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience (EMPOWER the Youth) project. It supports 600 young people in the Batangas province municipalities of Agoncillo, Alitagtag, San Nicolas, and Sta. Teresita, including youth from households participating in the DSWD 4Ps Program.

The project provides vital training and employment support to youth from families who rely on agriculture and fishing—industries that natural disasters have severely impacted over the past five years. By helping young people develop sustainable agricultural practices and create alternative ways to earn an income, EMPOWER-Y works to build economic stability in the community.

Briefer: Households Economic Resilience Strengthening for Women and Youth (HERS)

CARE, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Tijori Foundation are working together on the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening (HERS) for Women and Youth project. The project helps 600 women and 700 youth in Antipolo City, Baras, Binangonan, and Rodriguez, Rizal, create lasting ways to earn an income.

The project supports families in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as they move toward self-sufficiency. HERS provides women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities with support and opportunities to build their own businesses and secure a stable income.

CARE Philippines statement on the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Nando

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (September 20, 2025) – CARE and its local humanitarian partners are on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Nando (internationally known as Ragasa) threatens to bring destructive winds and torrential rains Central and Northern Luzon. The cyclone is anticipated to strengthen into a Super Typhoon by Monday, September 22. Emergency response teams are on standby to conduct rapid needs assessments and deliver immediate, life-saving assistance to the communities expected to be hardest hit.

“Our immediate concern is for the safety of families in the typhoon’s path, especially those in low-lying, coastal, upland, and indigenous communities. Disasters do not affect everyone equally. We know from experience that women and girls face heightened risks, and ensuring their safety, dignity, and specific needs are met will be at the core of our response. We are coordinating closely with local partners and call for open, direct humanitarian access so local responders can reach last-mile communities with life-saving support.”

— Reiza S. Dejito, Country Director, CARE Philippines

“With PAGASA projecting Super typhoon level for TC Nando, our preparations are moving into the operational phase. Our assessment teams are ready for deployment, and provide emergency supplies for immediate distribution to the most affected families. Our partnerships with community leaders, NGOs and local governments on the ground will be crucial to guide our efforts, ensuring the support we provide is timely and appropriate.”

— Jessan Catre, Humanitarian, Disaster Resilience and Peacebuilding Coordinator, CARE Philippines

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mary Therese L. Norbe, CARE Philippines Communications Specialist
Email: marytherese.norbe@care.org, Contact Number: +639199117534

Note to Editors: 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 three consecutive years. This context underscores the critical importance of CARE’s work in disaster preparedness and strengthening local capacity.

Digitalizing Health through HEAL Hub: Mobile App Capacitates Frontliners One Tap at a Time

The Healthy, Empowered, Accredited, Linked (HEAL) Hub is a digital platform designed for community health workers in the Philippines.

Developed to address gaps in training and improve access to digital resources, the HEAL Hub aims to empower 1,500 barangay health workers (BHWs) in Quezon Province by the end of 2026. BHWs are vital frontline volunteers who provide basic health services and education in their communities. This learning brief, based on discussions with 14 BHWs, highlights the initial successes and challenges of the program, which is part of the global CARE “She Heals the World” initiative and implemented in partnership with the Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center (STPRC).

HEAL Hub Learning BriefDownload

When the river overflowed: Stories of mothers

San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal — On the afternoon of July 21, Maribel Bernardo stood at the doorway of her home, watching as the river crept up the street. The rain had been falling for days, but by 2 p.m., the floodwaters had reached her knees. That was when she knew it was time to leave.

“There was no warning from the barangay,” said Maribel, 49, a mother of six. “We just looked outside and realized we didn’t have any more time.”

She and her children left on foot, barefoot and soaked, carrying what little they could. Her husband stayed behind to try and protect their home, as many men in the community did.

After being turned away from one shelter, Maribel’s family found space at San Jose Elementary School, where hundreds of other displaced families had gathered. Every classroom was full, and her family ended up in a room with six others, laying out thin mats on the floor of their cramped new living space.

Among those sharing the room is Claudine Miranda, 30, Maribel’s neighbor and close friend. She also fled with her three children as the water rose around their home. Her husband, a construction worker, has been out of a job since the typhoon shut down work sites.

Conditions at the evacuation center have become increasingly difficult. With so many families in one room, there is little space to move, much less find privacy or rest. The lack of security is a constant worry.

“There are men we don’t know walking around the hallways,” Maribel said. “Our daughters are afraid, and honestly, so are we.”

This fear is a common reality in emergencies. In crises, women and girls face greater risks to their safety. Overcrowded evacuation centers that lack privacy, functioning locks, or separate, well-lit toilets can heighten their exposure to harassment and violence against women and girls. Addressing these protection needs is not an option, but a critical part of any effective humanitarian response.

The support that came was also inconsistent. Initial relief included porridge and a small pack with two kilos of rice, a few cans of sardines, and instant noodles. Since that first day, however, assistance has been unreliable.

Maribel cooks sardines inside their room at the evacuation center.

“Rice is what we need most,” said Claudine. “Even when we have nothing else, we can make rice last.”

But relying on uncooked rations is not enough. The lack of cooking space and a shortage of fresh food creates an immediate need for warm, complete meals to prevent malnutrition, especially for children and the elderly. To fill this gap and provide for her own family, Maribel started selling boiled bananas, fishballs, and coffee around the evacuation center.

Their husbands, both without income, try to make repairs to their damaged homes with salvaged materials. Still, returning feels like a risk neither family can afford, not with the river just steps away and the rainy season far from over.

“If we had a small push, even a little support to restart our work, a small grant or some tools, we wouldn’t be sitting here waiting for assistance,” said Claudine, highlighting the desire to rebuild.

Maribel nodded in agreement. “We’re not asking for much,” she said. “We just want to go home, feed our children, and know they’re safe.”

For families like theirs, the disaster did not end when the rain stopped. Recovery remains out of reach, and as the days in the evacuation center stretch on, so does their uncertainty.

To better understand the situation in the community and guide a more effective response, CARE Philippines and the ACCESS Consortium are assessing the damage and speaking with affected families in Rodriguez, Rizal, to identify their most urgent needs after the flooding brought by Severe Tropical Storm Wipha and the southwest monsoon.

#SheHealsTheWorld Stories: Cecilia

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

Cecilia, a 52-year-old married mother of four, has dedicated her life to serving her community in Barangay Tagbakan Ilaya, located in the Municipality of Catanauan.

“Since 2018, I’ve been looking after 141 households, making sure that health services reach everyone, even when resources are limited. It’s not always easy, but knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life keeps me going. I will continue to serve, not for the recognition, but because it’s what my community needs.”

She continues to serve as a volunteer, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to public health and her community’s well-being. remains steadfast in her resolve to serve her community to the best of her ability. Her volunteer work includes participation in CARE’s HEAL Hub project with the Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center – STPRC, Inc., where she continues to provide essential health services and education to the residents of her community.

Cecilia continues to serve as a community health volunteer, catering to patients’ needs at the health center.

Her work involves a range of activities, from conducting health education sessions to assisting in the delivery of primary health care services. Her dedication to the HEAL Hub project highlights her adaptability and willingness to embrace new initiatives aimed at improving community health. Through her volunteer work, Cecilia continues to impact positively on the lives of those in her barangay, ensuring that health services remain accessible despite the challenges she faces.

Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and selflessness. Her ability to continue serving without financial compensation showcases her deep-rooted commitment to her community’s health and well-being. Her efforts as a volunteer not only fill a critical gap in health services but also inspire others in the community.

Philippines: 10 Million Affected by Never-Ending Storms

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

[Manila, November 18, 2024] – Super Typhoon Man-Yi made landfall in the eastern Philippines, hitting Panganiban and Catanduanes, becoming the sixth typhoon to strike the country in a month. This series of relentless storms has impacted over 10 million people, displaced countless families, and caused an estimated 470 million Philippine Pesos in damage to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure—devastating lives and stalling recovery efforts across the region.

“The past month in the Philippines has felt like a relentless, terrifying ordeal – with each storm hitting harder than the last,” said Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director. “As one typhoon passes, another wave of destruction hits – homes destroyed, fields washed away, lives changed forever. Now, typhoon Man-Yi threatens to push millions further into despair, with more than 10 million people across Luzon and Visayas trapped in a cycle of disaster and fragile recovery.

“This isn’t just a spell of bad weather. It’s a clear example of the unfair distribution of climate change’s effects. The Philippines contributes little to the climate crisis, yet suffers some of its most severe consequences. These storms, intensified by climate change, have left women and girls at greater risk of exploitation, displacement, and loss of livelihood.  For families already struggling, each storm pushes them further to the edge. Shelter, food, and gender-focused protection are urgently needed.”

CARE and partners are on the ground, conducting rapid assessments, delivering emergency aid – including food, water, cash and helping communities build long-term resilience. “In every crisis, communities are the real first responders,” Dejito added. “Through the Humanitarian Partnership Platform, we work with local experts to deliver life-saving aid where needed most. Together with our partners, we are urgently calling for support to enable swift and impactful responses led by those on the frontlines.”

Super Typhoon Man-Yi, sweeping through Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas, adds to five earlier tropical storms that have repeatedly hit these areas, leaving recovery beyond reach for many.

###

For media enquiries, please contact:  

Sarita Suwannarat, Asia Regional Communications Advisor                           

Email: Sarita.Suwannarat@care.org   

Mary Therese L. Norbe CARE Philippines Communications Specialist

Email: marytherese.norbe@care.org   

Note to Editors: 

CARE Philippines has been providing humanitarian and development support since 1949, consistently working to uplift vulnerable communities. The Philippines continues to be among the most disaster-prone countries globally, and CARE remains at the forefront, delivering life-saving assistance to those most in need. According to the World Risk Index 2023, the Philippines remains the most at-risk country with the least capacity to respond to natural disasters. 

Women and children bear the brunt of El Nino in Kalinga and Negros Oriental

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

by Josephine C. Kusain and Mary Therese L. Norbe

Photo: Farm fields lay barren due to lack of rainfall and water in Brgy. Santor, Rizal, Kalinga. (Josephine C. Kusain)

The rapid humanitarian assessment (RHA) conducted by CARE Philippines and its partners, Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (CorDIS RDS) and Citizen’s Disaster Response Center (CDRC), in response to the 2024 El Niño event in the Philippines, highlighted significant impacts on the agricultural and fishing communities in Kalinga and Negros Oriental. The drought, which affected 59 out of 82 provinces across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, led to severe agricultural losses and food shortages, disproportionately impacting men, women, girls, and boys in these regions. 

In Kalinga, communities reliant on rice, corn, and vegetable farming faced immense difficulties in maintaining their fields and gardens. Similarly, in Negros Oriental, sugarcane farmers and fishing communities struggled with reduced productivity due to the harsh weather conditions. Both regions reported increased pest infestations, dried rice fields, and significant productivity reduction and crop losses, leading to severe food shortages and malnutrition, particularly among children. Women in Kalinga adjusted by waking early to work in the fields, while in Negros Oriental, coastal households altered fishing schedules to cope with the intense heat. The shortened fishing windows and fish moving deeper for cooler waters reduced catch potential, further straining coastal livelihoods and incomes.  

Photo: The heat cause rice fields to crack and prevented the rice to grow in Kalinga. @CorDis RDS

Water scarcity emerged as a critical issue in both regions, with Kalinga experiencing rotational water sources and frequent interruptions, allowing households access to water for only 3 to 4 hours daily. In Negros Oriental, even coastal communities faced diminished water flow from community tanks and deep wells. The lack of water affected both household and agricultural use, exacerbating the already dire situation for the communities. Farmers in Kalinga faced high gasoline costs to operate water pumps, while those in Negros Oriental contended with reduced water availability, further complicating their agricultural activities. In both Kalinga and Negros Oriental, coping with the heat during El Niño involved seeking shade, timing water collection, and utilizing different containers for water storage. 

Photo: No water flows from an open faucet in Brgy. Santor, Rizal, Kalinga @Josephine C. Kusain/CARE

Health issues were widespread, with Kalinga reporting increased cases of coughs, diarrhea, hypertension, and joint pain among adults, while children and girls faced additional challenges such as urinary tract infections and chickenpox. The elderly and persons with disabilities faced barriers in accessing healthcare, with only basic medicines available and specialized treatments limited. Despite these challenges, communities demonstrated resilience by upholding traditional practices like bayanihan, supporting each other, and arranging prayer meetings for sick elders. Both men and women turned to traditional herbal medicine for minor health issues when modern healthcare was inaccessible.

Both men and women sought alternative employment opportunities to bolster their finances, with women in Kalinga diversifying their income by selling snacks, snails, and taro or providing domestic services, while men often sought work in urban areas. Mutual support through interest-free loans among neighbors or borrowing money to meet various needs helped families navigate the crisis.  

In terms of safety and protection, the Barangay Local Government Units in Kalinga implemented curfews, store closures, and a liquor ban to address alcohol-related issues. Despite these measures, an incident of rape involving minors prompted intervention from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, resulting in in-house schooling due to bullying concerns. Women also highlighted heightened online exposure due to shortened school hours. Girls indicated no specific safety concerns, relying on the Barangay Council and cultural practices rooted in ancestral lands to ensure community safety. In Negros Oriental, children avoided working in sugarcane fields due to the extreme heat. 

The RHA underscored the urgent need for immediate food aid, including staples like rice and nutritional supplements, to address malnutrition and hunger. Emergency livelihood assistance and cash-for-work programs are essential to help families meet their immediate needs. Additionally, distributing hygiene kits and ensuring emergency water supplies are crucial for addressing water and sanitation challenges.  

Photo: The rice grains are completely dried and will not mature because of the drought in Kalinga. @CorDis RDS

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts of the government, non-government organizations, and international agencies to address this crisis. “We need to increase the coping capacities of these communities by providing immediate life-saving relief and implementing long-term sustainable recovery plans to mitigate the impact of future climatic events.”  

CARE Philippines, with its extensive experience in emergency response and long-term recovery efforts, advocates for a comprehensive approach to resilience-building. This includes livelihood diversification, skills training, sustainable agriculture practices, improved water infrastructure and sanitation facilities, and strengthened community health services to handle critical health issues.

Disparities in Diabetes: Applying intersectionality to understand diabetes

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Healthy Mothers & Children, Other Topic, Uncategorized, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

Written by: Juin Ancha (CARE Philippines)

November 14 — World Diabetes Day. Various health organizations and groups all over the country urge the Filipino community to take active measures to prevent this life-threatening illness. However, simple lifestyle and dietary changes may not be enough to comprehensively address diabetes, especially within the context of vulnerable populations. Pervasive gender norms and roles are also factors that influence the health and well-being outcomes of Filipino women and men. As we commemorate World Diabetes Day, we encourage the public to use an intersectional lens to understand diabetes.

Diabetes at a glance

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic, and the Philippines is not exempt. According to the International Diabetes Federation, of the 64 million adults in the country, 4 million have diabetes. However, even with these high numbers, there could be more undocumented cases, specifically in low-income, rural, and armed-conflict-affected areas. Lack of health facilities in far-flung communities, lack of access to diabetes information, and lack of access to basic services continue to be major factors that prevent people, including the elderly, children, women, and men, from seeking timely health check-ups and routine monitoring. Socioeconomic constraints do not help either, and only contribute to a general reluctance among poor families to seek medical intervention.

Early detection of diabetes is hard when you are poor and internally displaced. In Lanao del Sur, many people did not know that they were diabetic until they saw CARE Philippines NCD-LOVE. NCD-LOVE was a three-year pilot project designed to introduce innovative approaches to address health issues, specifically non-communicable diseases, diabetes included. From providing technical assistance and capacity buildings to partner government stakeholders, augmenting NCD service delivery in project sites, and ensuring its sustainability through transition plans, the NCD-LOVE indeed provided strong advocacy on health and well-being. In 2023 alone, the project reached 15 municipalities in Lanao del Sur and served 7,031 patients, of which 67% were women.

Using intersectionality as lens to understanding diabetes

Lived experiences of diabetes can be best understood through an intersectional lens that considers the social identities of ordinary Filipinos. Due to deep-seated culture and gender norms, various gender biases have affected not only our behavior towards health but also our understanding of health. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of studies on NCD, diabetes included, have been undertaken on men, and women have been less diagnosed at early stages. As a result, even health interventions have placed women at the periphery of diabetes attention.

“No words could express how CARE helped us and made us happy, especially here in our community,” – shared Alma (not her real name), 58 years old, a woman with diabetes from Boganga Transitory site. That is why the NCD-LOVE project purposefully targeted not only low-income households in conflict-afflicted areas but, more importantly, women.

“We deeply appreciate the invaluable support from CARE and Abbott, which has been instrumental in propelling this NCD-LOVE program forward. Our steadfast commitment to prioritizing health and well-being remains resolute. As we look ahead, our focus remains steadfast on ensuring the sustainability of our NCD-LOVE program, guaranteeing that the progress achieved endures for the long term,” stated IPHO II.

Unlocking one of the key solutions, applying intersectionality in analyzing diabetes, opens discussions beyond the medical model of this life-threatening, non-communicable disease.

The NCD-LOVE project was funded by Abbott and the Abbott Fund.

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