Philippines Situation Report #1 - December 2024

The Philippines has experienced a particularly devastating typhoon season, with multiple powerful storms between September to November 2024. On 24 October, tropical storm Trami made landfall, triggering widespread flooding and landslides that affected almost 8.8 million people, particularly in Region 5 (Bicol), and left nearly a million people displaced. This was followed by Typhoon Kong-Rey, Typhoon Yinxing, Super Typhoon Usagi and then Super Typhoon Man-Yi which made landfall in Region 5 (Catanduanes) on 17 November 2024, causing landslides, severe flooding, and storm surges, which resulted in catastrophic damage.

The cumulative impact of these typhoons, along with several others earlier in the season, has overwhelmed already fragile systems, leaving millions of Filipinos vulnerable and struggling to recover. UNFPA has been responding to the crisis, focusing on life-saving sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence response interventions.

UNFPA has reached 60,800 women and adolescent girls with sexual and reproductive health services, and supported the immediate restoration of critical maternal health services in the two most affected areas, Bula and Nabua, Camarines Sur (Region 5) with the distribution of delivery kits to facilitate safe deliveries. In addition, UNFPA has distributed 1,000 hygiene management kits and 2,000 dignity kits to women and girls.

UNFPA requires US$3 million to respond to the sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence needs of affected women and girls in Region 5 of the Philippines. To date, only 43% is funded, leaving a gap of US$1.75 million.