The Philippines belongs to those countries particularly prone to natural disasters. People in Need started to operate here in 2013 after the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit the country and caused severe damage. It was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. Until now, the Philippines has been recovering from the consequences of the typhoon. In addition, people suffer from political as well as social conflicts and poverty which, despite the economic growth of the country, concerns as much as one fifth of the population.
On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Yolanda) hit Eastern Samar, one of the poorest provinces of the country. The immediate and large-scale emergency response provided by international organizations helped find solutions to short-term problems and attend the immediate needs of those affected. Now, we are focusing on the long-term recovery of the Philippines. We help revive and improve local markets and ensure new, alternative sources of livelihood for people. For instance, we have introduced growing cacao and tomatoes, and connected poor farmers with customers and suppliers, without the interference of third parties and middlemen. We also aim to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and their ability to cope with the consequences of future disasters.
The Philippines also faces political and social conflicts, including land conflicts and disputes over exclusive ownership of land, forced displacements, and ineffective governance. Therefore, we support local communities and human rights organizations protecting people’s right to land. These organizations also monitor land grabbing, organize awareness campaigns and public debates with politicians, and provide legal advice.
In 2017, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a result of the Battle of Marawi, the longest urban war in the modern history of the Philippines. In cooperation with local partners, we helped young people affected by the conflict, distributed school uniforms, and provided legal advice and psychosocial support.