Key Developments

Assessments identify more than 9.6 million people affected by Super Typhoon Rai and in need of humanitarian assistance, while the Government of the Philippines and relief actors continue emergency response and recovery efforts.

Rising cases of COVID-19 nationwide continue to challenge relief efforts following Super Typhoon Rai. Relief actors remain concerned that the combined effects of the super typhoon and COVID-19 pandemic may generate increased health and protection risks among vulnerable groups.

Limited access to safe drinking water in evacuation centers prompts an increase in diarrhea cases among internally displaced persons, while relief actors identify E. coli in many water sources across Eastern Visayas' Southern Leyte Province due to storm-related damage to WASH infrastructure.

Background

Situated on the Western Pacific typhoon belt and the fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is regularly affected by natural disasters that result in the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods.  Since 1990, USAID has responded to more than 40 disasters in the Philippines while also supporting a variety of disaster risk reduction programs to build the capacity of the GPH and communities to prepare for and respond to the impacts of natural disasters.

On May 23, 2017, the GPH launched a military and law enforcement operation against elements of ISIS-affiliated armed groups in Marawi. The ensuing conflict generated significant population displacement from Marawi and related humanitarian needs.  Although displaced families began returning to areas of origin in Marawi following the government's declaration of the end of combat operations on October 23, 2017, damage and destruction of houses and infrastructure, unexploded ordnance contamination, and humanitarian needs persist.  USAID/BHA has been supporting affected communities in and around Marawi since 2017 to meet their basic needs through food, protection, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and other emergency assistance.