Americares Philippines Deploys Relief Workers in Response to Back-to-Back Storms

Stamford, Conn. – Nov. 27, 2024 – Americares Philippines has deployed emergency response teams to Aurora and Cagayan provinces to provide clean water, hygiene kits and mental health support to survivors impacted by Typhoons Pepito and Ofel and Tropical Storm Trami.

In Aurora, Americares will be distributing water purification kits in Dipaculao and will also be installing a water filtration system for residents of Barangay Dinadiawan to provide access to clean water. In Cagayan, the team will be distributing hygiene kits and providing hygiene education for families whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed in the aftermath of the storms. The emergency response teams will also provide psychosocial support, including art and play activities for young survivors. Later this week, an Americares mobile medical team will deploy to Batangas Province to begin providing mobile health services for survivors.

The teams deployed include Americares staff based in Manila and trained volunteers from throughout the country.

The recent series of typhoons and tropical storms, known internationally as Typhoon Man-yi, Typhoon Usagi and Tropical Storm Kristine, has caused widespread devastation, displacing thousands, overwhelming local resources and leaving countless families in need of urgent support. Floodwaters have contaminated vital water sources, health care facilities are overwhelmed and survivors are facing immense challenges in accessing essential health services. The need for clean water, critical medical care and mental health support is more urgent than ever as communities work to recover and rebuild.

“The impact of Typhoons Pepito and Ofel, coupled with Tropical Storm Trami, has left communities reeling from widespread flooding, contaminated water and the devastating loss of lives and homes,” said Americares Philippines Country Director Paul Pagaran. “Americares Philippines will be delivering critical health services, clean water and hygiene kits, while also providing mental health support for survivors coping with trauma and loss. Our teams are working alongside local partners to meet urgent health needs and support recovery efforts during this challenging time.”

Americares has been providing assistance to the Philippines, one of the most disaster-prone countries, for more than 20 years. Americares established a base of operations in Manila after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 to be able to respond more quickly to disasters and strengthen health care for families in need. The Americares Philippines team also provides ongoing support to local health centers, which are often the only source of care for thousands of people.

Americares responds to more than 35 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. At the same time, the organization maintains a constant state of readiness so that it can deploy quickly when disaster strikes. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. After disasters, the organization often stays for months—or years—helping communities recover.

Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the typhoon and other emergencies.