The Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with well-developed disaster management capacities. However, with the increasing number and strength of typhoons that have struck the island nation, the European Commission has stepped in to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance through its department for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).
In addition, the Philippines have also been suffering from a long-lasting internal armed conflict in the south. As a result of renewed hostilities in recent years, ECHO has provided essential assistance to the some 300 000 internally displaced persons on the island of Mindanao.
ECHO’s response to typhoon victims
A week before Christmas 2011, several communities in Mindanao were devastated by flash floods caused by tropical storm Washi (local name "Sendong"). More than 1.14 million people were affected, with over 400 000 seeking emergency shelter. At least 1 257 people died. ECHO has committed €3 million in emergency aid to assist the survivors of the disaster.
In late September 2011, two powerful Typhoons, Nesat ("Pedring") and Nalgae ("Quiel"), hit Luzon island within a week, bringing torrential rains and high winds, which resulted in overflowing rivers and extensive flooding in Luzon. Some €4 million was made available by the European Commission through ECHO to 9 NGO, UN and Red Cross partners to provide food and non-food items, implement projects to improve water supplies and sanitation, health and hygiene, and initiate early livelihood recovery.
In June-July 2011, torrential rains caused by storms, tropical depression and a low pressure area also caused floods in the southern Philippines, especially around Cotabato City, and on Luzon island. The European Union, through ECHO, allocated in total €570 000 to support 4 projects bringing immediate relief to the affected populations.
Preparing for Disasters (DIPECHO)
Under its €10 million 7th Action Plan for Southeast Asia, over the period 2010-2011 ECHO provided just under €2.1 million for projects aiming to strengthen the local disaster preparedness capacity by supporting community-based activities, local capacity building, small scale mitigation actions, early warning systems, education, and public awareness campaigns.
Stories from the field
- ECHO's needs assessment in Mindanao, the southern Philippines (2011)
- Four months after Typhoon Ketsana – The crisis continues (2010)
- Living with Typhoons (2007)
Related information
- Factsheet on Philippines
(01.2012) - Humanitarian Implementation Plan South East Asia (03.2012)
- DIPECHO South East Asia (12.2011)
- Corrigendum
Other EU websites about the Philippines:
