Islamic Relief is assessing the needs of communities in the Philippines as heavy rains and floods sweep across Mindanao and Luzon islands.
We are working with local authorities and humanitarian organisations to help meet the desperate needs of affected families.
Heavy rainfall has drenched western Luzon and Mindanao since 11 July, causing floods, landslides and mass displacement.
The full extent of the damage remains to be seen as rains continue and the situation is expected to deteriorate.
Displacement and damage
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on 15 July that 2 people have died, and 1 other is missing. Other local sources have reported higher fatalities.
More than 17,800 displaced people are sheltering in 55 evacuation centres, and approximately 54,289 people are affected across Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen and BARMM regions, the agency reported.
It added that 73 houses, 2 schools, 3 bridges and 55 roads have been affected.
Islamic Relief carried out a rapid needs assessment, identifying the following gaps in support already being provided by government or other humanitarian organisations:
Shelter: Evacuation centres are dealing with shortages of shelters and bedding.
Food: Many affected families rely on farming and fishing to feed themselves. Now displaced, they are greatly in need of food aid.
Drinking water shortage: Wells and pumps in affected areas have been damaged, impacting on the availability of clean drinking water. Some organisations have begun providing water, but more is needed, especially in evacuation centres.
Health, hygiene and sanitation: Evacuation centres are very congested, with multiple families sharing a single tent and limited access to health, sanitation and hygiene facilities. There have been reported cases of diarrhoea and fever, particularly among children. Families need more soap, laundry materials and other items to help keep clean.
Loss of livelihoods: Most of those affected are dependent on daily or seasonal wages from agriculture and fishing. Crops have been damaged and it is likely the flooding will have a long-term effect on the livelihoods of affected families.
Islamic Relief’s response
Islamic Relief has an office in Cotabato City, Mindanao, as well as ongoing projects in many of the affected areas.
Our team is coordinating with local authorities and other humanitarian actors to identify how best to assist with response efforts and ‘plug’ gaps in support provided by others.
Working together in this way helps ensure communities’ most desperate needs are met most effectively.
An allocation of initial funding has been made to our team in the Philippines to allow them to launch a response. This could involve providing food, water and hygiene kits to displaced people, as well as other support for evacuation centres, depending on which needs are not yet being met.
Islamic Relief has been working in the Philippines since 2013, supporting communities affected by disaster in the immediate aftermath, as well as in the months and years that follow.
Please help us to continue our vital work in the Philippines and beyond. Donate now.
