What is happening in the Philippines?
People in the Philippines are facing disaster after disaster.
It is already an exceptionally challenging typhoon season, with six major storms causing widespread destruction in less than a month. Hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee their homes.
The Bicol region was hit particularly hard over the weekend, with flash floods and landslides devastating communities already vulnerable from previous disasters.
Now, a devastating earthquake has damaged and destroyed more homes in large parts of Cebu.
Many families spent the night outside, too afraid to return indoors as aftershocks continued. Buildings, roads, and bridges have been damaged, and power and communication lines are down. A state of calamity has been declared for the whole of Cebu province, the death toll is rising, and search and rescue efforts are underway.
ShelterBox is responding to Typhoon Bualoi, and now we are working to understand how we can also support people affected by the earthquake.
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Donate nowWhat is ShelterBox doing?
ShelterBox is already responding in the Philippines after Typhoon Bualoi. We plan to support thousands of people who have lost their homes with emergency shelter and essential items. This includes shelter repair kits with tarpaulins, tools, and materials to make damaged homes watertight.
We may also provide solar lights to restore a sense of safety and normalcy, mosquito nets to protect families from insect-borne diseases, and blankets to help people stay warm and dry.
Depending on local needs, we’re considering supplying corrugated iron sheets for roof repairs and offering cash assistance so that families can purchase materials or hire labor to rebuild.
We are also responding to the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines in over a decade, which struck just days after back-to-back typhoons and heavy flooding.
We’ll be supporting thousands of people with emergency shelter and essential items. With a team permanently based in the Philippines and emergency shelter supplies pre-positioned in Cebu, we’re planning to respond quickly and effectively.
We’ll be considering items like tents, shelter repair kits, and household items like solar lights and mosquito nets. Our assessments in the coming days will help us decide, so we can get the right support to people. People in rural areas will need different support to those in more urban areas, so it’s important we take our time to get it right.
Why this response matters
This year’s typhoon season is more intense than usual, and it’s only just begun.
Super Typhoon Ragasa (Nando), the strongest storm of the year, made landfall in early September. More extreme weather followed – including monsoon rains and Typhoon Bualoi (Opong). Strong winds, torrential rain, flash floods, and landslides have damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes.
Why is this year’s typhoon season so intense?
A weather pattern called La Niña is starting to form, which brings more storms and heavier rain. At the same time, warmer ocean waters – partly due to climate change – are giving typhoons extra fuel to grow stronger and faster.
The latest earthquake in Cebu comes as the country is already reeling from a series of disasters.
ShelterBox has responded to disasters of this scale in the Philippines before – including Typhoon Rai in 2021 and Tropical Storm Trami in 2024. With our experience, local presence, and pre-positioned aid, we’re ready to help families rebuild and recover.
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How can I support people facing crisis?
Donate today – you can help us bring hope and relief to those who need it most. Every donation counts. Giving helps restore dignity, safety, and hope to those who have lost everything.
You can also stay informed and share on social media to raise awareness about the crisis people are facing in the Philippines.