Situation Overview
In late 2025, the Philippines faced a series of overlapping disasters that significantly escalated the humanitarian needs on the ground.
On 30 September 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in northern Cebu. The shallow depth of the quake resulted in intense ground shaking, leading to the collapse of homes, damage to roads and bridges, and widespread power outages.
As communities were just beginning to mobilise relief following the aftermath of the earthquake, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) made multiple landfalls across Visayas region and Palawan, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides. Multiple areas in Central Cebu, Mimaropa, the Negros Islands Region, and parts of Caraga experienced severe flooding, further damaging homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Shortly after, Super Typhoon Uwan swept through Luzon and nearby coastal provinces, unleashing destructive winds, torrential rains, and causing storm surges. This resulted in additional destruction in some of the repeatedly affected areas.
As a result of these compounded disasters, an estimated 13 million people were left in need of humanitarian assistance. The scale of the needs on the grounds remains immense, as affected communities continue to face urgent needs in shelter, water and sanitation, health care, food security, and livelihood recovery. (source)
SRC’s Support
Appeal name: Philippines Disasters 2025
Appeal period: 15 October 2025 to 31 December 2025
Amount raised: $193,230.82
Amount committed: $126,390
Thank You For Your Support
Every contribution to SRC’s public appeal helped support relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines. We are grateful to all the individuals, organisations and community fundraisers who came forward.
Among the organisations that supported the appeal was A&O Shearman, whose Singapore, Jakarta and Hong Kong offices collectively contributed approximately S$24,500 to support the relief efforts.
Support also came through The Giving Stage, a charity concert hosted and planned by Myra Lim and Lenna Ng in November 2025. Featuring performances by students, the concert raised $10,086.00 in support of SRC’s disaster relief efforts in the Philippines.
SRC’s response with ground partners provide relief for affected communities while simultaneously building long-term community resilience.
| Activity | Individuals/Families reached | Location | Amount committed |
| Cash pledge for Cebu earthquake response Partner: Philippine RC With Federation support, the PRC supported more than 8,000 families with sleeping kits, close to 5,000 families to multi-purpose cash assistance, 33,000 people with clean water and more than 8,000 individuals with psychological first aid. Current efforts (as of May 2026) have transitioned to key recovery interventions, including livelihood support and WASH facility rehabilitation. | ~105 individuals | Cebu | SGD 50,000 |
| Distribution of 30 (pre-positioned) water filters in Cebu Partner: REACT Bantayan Following a needs assessment, access to clean drinking water was identified as a pressing need, as public infrastructure had been damaged and some of the affected communities were located in remote areas where transportation of large volumes of water was difficult. The water filters deployed are lightweight and require no electricity to run and hence a good choice for delivery of clean drinking water to communities quickly and efficiently. | 30 barangays | Cebu | SGD 12,750 |
| Air freight charges for water filters Partner: REACT Bantayan | SGD 640 | ||
| Relief mission (26 to 30 Nov 2025) Partner: REACT Bantayan The team supported the distribution of relief items and training on the use of relief SRC-deployed water filters, and conducted site visits and needs assessments for potential recovery projects. The team visited Medellin, Liloan and Moalboal | N/A | Cebu | Up to SGD 3,800 |
| Livelihood program Partner: Church of the Nazarene Central Visayas District (CON-CVD) Beneficiaries will be provided with essential tools and equipment as well as basic skills training on rag-making. The program builds the resilience of the community, where rag-making is a major livelihood activity and aligns with local market demand. | 40 families | Talisay City, Cebu | Up to SGD 20,200 |
| Restoration of WASH services Partner: Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD), Inc The project supports sustainable recovery with access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Rainwater harvesting and collection systems, biosand filtration units and communal latrine facilities will be installed in the communities, alongside an IEC component on WASH in emergencies and earthquake safety. | 221 households/ 1,105 individuals | San Remigio, Cebu | Up to SGD 39,000 |
Community members in Talisay City, Cebu, gather for the handover of a sewing machine under an SRC-supported livelihood programme implemented with local partner Church of the Nazarene Central Visayas District (CON-CVD). The programme provides essential tools, equipment and basic skills training in rag-making. Photo: Church of the Nazarene CVD
What Recovery Looks Like For Communities
Beyond the number of people reached, recovery looks different across affected communities. In Talisay City, Cebu, rag-making is an important local livelihood activity with established market demand.
Through an SRC-supported livelihood program, implemented with the Church of the Nazarene CVD, individuals received basic skills training on rag-making and were provided with essential tools and equipment.
With the new skill and equipment, A.Y has since been able to meet an important household need that had previously been difficult for her family to afford.
“Before, we were only connected to our neighbour’s electricity. Through the income I earned from this livelihood project, I was able to pay ₱13,000 for our own electricity connection. I am very thankful because this program has helped improve our family’s living condition and has given us greater independence” – A.Y
SRC worked with local partner ACCORD, Inc. to restore WASH services and improve access to safe water and sanitation in San Remigio, Cebu. Photo: ACCORD, Inc
Restoring WASH services with the community
Communities in San Remigio, Cebu, already faced limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities before the earthquake. Earthquake damage further affected these essential services. SRC worked with local partner, ACCORD, Inc to restore WASH services, with residents involved in planning and implementation.
C. who was participating in a community project for the first time, invited residents to meetings, shared suggestions and assisted with construction. Participation grew as the project progressed, with more residents volunteering their time.
“Through our cooperation and unity, we found an improved sense of camaraderie and understanding.” – C.
The new communal latrine and water supply reduced reliance on open areas and neighbours’ houses to meet sanitation needs, while sturdy doors, ramps and railings improved privacy and ease of use for older persons, women and children. Residents also came together to share the responsibility of keeping the facility clean, which in turn strengthened community volunteerism, and supported its continued use and maintenance.
Part of a wider Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
The Philippine Red Cross led the response, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Singapore Red Cross, and other partner National Societies.
The response has reached an estimated 52,198 people through:
- Shelter and essential household assistance
- Water, sanitation and hygiene support
- Health and mental health and psychosocial support
- Food and multipurpose cash assistance
- Livelihood and recovery support
SRC’s cash pledge to the Philippine Red Cross and its directly supported projects formed part of this wider effort, complementing assistance provided through the Movement.
Acknowledgement
Singapore Red Cross extends its sincere appreciation to all donors and partners whose support has delivered humanitarian assistance for communities affected by the disasters in the Philippines. SRC remains committed to supporting their longer-term recovery and building preparedness.
