United Nations Philippines urges support for Philippine response as series of tropical cyclones devastate the country

MANILA, 12 November 2024 – The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in the Philippines has launched the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan, aiming to support 210,000 of the most affected people in northern and southern Luzon, specifically in regions 5, 4A and 2, mainly impacted by the past typhoons. The HNP is requesting US$32.9 million in funding to support partners in delivering critical lifesaving and protection efforts over the next three months, focusing on vulnerable groups, including women, girls and persons with disabilities.

Over the past month, the Philippines has endured a relentless series of tropical cyclones, with five major storms already hitting the country and two more expected in the coming weeks. The succession of these severe weather events has placed considerable pressure on local communities and the government’s capacity to respond effectively.

“Typhoons are overlapping. As soon as communities attempt to recover from the shock, the next tropical storm is already hitting them again. In this context, the response capacity gets exhausted, and budgets depleted,” UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said.

Now, the looming arrival of Tropical Cyclone Usagi (Ofel), forecasted to make landfall by Thursday or Friday and the anticipated entry of Tropical Cyclone Man-yi into the Philippine Area of Responsibility, deepen concerns about worsening the humanitarian situation.

“The Humanitarian Country Team has been mobilized since the first impact of “Kristine”. NGOs, UN agencies and the private sector are presently working hand in hand with the various departments and LGUs. The new HNP is expected to fill critical gaps in those areas heavily impacted by the series of typhoons,” according to Gonzalez.

The United Nations Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) has approved $3.5 million in humanitarian funds for UNICEF, IOM, WFP, FAO and UNFPA. CERF is one of the fastest and most effective ways to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to those affected by crises.

“We call on resource partners to rapidly support the HNP and fill critical funding gaps generated by an exceptional series of storms. The HNP will help us mobilize the capacities and resources of the humanitarian community to better support government institutions at national, regional and local levels. Coordination with the NDRRMC has been exemplary and we commend the leadership of the Office of Civil Defense in setting humanitarian priorities,” Gonzalez added.

On behalf of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno expressed appreciation to the HCT and partner agencies in the development of the HNP and urged them to bolster the government’s response capacity.

Download the full Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan here.

For inquiries, contact OCHA Philippines:
Joseph Addawe, Officer-in-Charge/Information Management Officer
Email: addawe@un.org 

Melissa Correa, Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Email: melissa.correa@un.org 

For further information, please visit - [OCHA Philippines] - (www.reliefweb.int) To join or leave our mailing list, please email: ochaphilippines@un.org