Amidst floods and conflict: stories of hope from the Philippines

In the Philippines, many communities live at the intersection of conflict and disaster – often testing their strength and resilience. Amid these hardships, stories of courage, hope, and recovery emerge.

Thanks to the ACCESS project, funded by the European Union (EU), humanitarian partners are working closely with affected communities to help with critical needs.

By supporting food security, shelter, education, health, and disaster preparedness, ACCESS has provided humanitarian aid to more than 238,000 people affected since June 2023.

over 238,000 people have received humanitarian aid

The following stories highlight the spirit of individuals who, despite loss and uncertainty, continue to rise — turning challenges into opportunities for a safer and more resilient future. People like Miriam, Abdullah, Rowena, Radia, Aina, Jelson, and Mylene, who face conflicts and disasters as a daily reality.

Rehabilitation of a health facility

An elderly woman, sitting in her room in the health facility. — 66-year-old Miriam is an unstoppable woman who works tirelessly for her community. With the ACCESS trainings funded by the EU, she has gained expertise on disaster preparedness, early warning, and life-saving techniques.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

Meet Miriam, a health worker living in Maguindanao del Sur province in the Philippines. After losing her child to diphtheria, she made it her mission to help improve the health of young people in the community. Thanks to EU humanitarian support, a building was rehabilitated into a fully functional health facility with the cooperation of Action Against Hunger. Now, her flood-prone community can easily access healthcare. Residents come to her regularly for check-ups, immunisation, and prenatal care. ‘I want them [children] to survive, to grow healthy and have a good future,’ she says.

Preparedness drills

A man crossing a make-shift bridge in front of his wooden house. — Abdullah is a fisherman. The floods and lack of transportation make it hard to sell fish and gain money.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

This is Abdullah, a 49-year-old father from the neighbourhood (barangay) of Bagoenged. In 2024, devastating floods submerged his community for over a month, causing food shortages and illness such as diarrhoea among his children. ‘I had to leave my family to seek help. They didn’t have food. I prayed for their safety,’ he recalls. After the experience, he joined the EU-funded ACCESS project’s disaster preparedness drills implemented by Action Against Hunger.

‘We now understand the importance of early evacuation and have started moving things to safer places even before the floods come,’ Abdullah explains.

Life-saving assistance

A woman sitting on a boat. A woman talking to her son in their house. — As a hygiene promoter, Rowena helps families access safe water and practice good hygiene. She continues to guide her peers, sharing vital health messages and encouragement.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

Rowena (47) lost her home in the floods in 2024. She and her children clung to a tree through the night to escape rising waters before being rescued the next morning.

‘When the floods came, many livelihoods were lost. Many lives were lost. Now we’re striving to stand again,’ Rowena recalls.

With EU assistance through Save the Children, she received food, cash, water, and hygiene kits that helped her family survive and recover.

Hope for an ill child

A woman and her baby sitting in their house, talking to an aid worker and A woman, holding her baby, in her house. — 3-year-old Nuryazan with his mother, Radia. He now weighs 11 kilogrammes and is more active.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

In Kadayangan, 43-year-old Radia faced both conflict and flooding — and the added challenge of caring for her son, who suffered from bacterial meningitis and malnutrition. In June 2024, clashes forced her family to flee. She only took her son’s medicine and left everything else behind. Thanks to the EU-funded ACCESS project, through the Community Organisers Multiversity and Humanity and Inclusion, they received food, cash, sleeping kits, and medical support for her son. Now, he has reached a healthy weight.

‘We received not only food and medicine but also hope and knowledge on how to care for my child. We are deeply grateful,’ Radia says.

Education, no matter what

A young girl wearing a hijab in her classroom. A girl with an aid worker walking to her school. — Despite security risks and floods, Aina continues to go to school and walk toward her dreams.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

Imagine walking 3 hours a day to go to school: this is the reality of 13-year-old Aina, living in a village in Picong. Despite many challenges like conflicts and displacement, she never thought of quitting school. Thanks to EU humanitarian aid and Save the Children, she receives school kits and motivation sessions - helping children like Aina continue their education.

Documentation that brings joy

A family talking to a humanitarian aid worker in front of their house. — Jelson (46) and Mylene (42) are Indigenous people from Jabonga. Jelson works as a community watchman or local peacekeeper, known as “barangay tanod”, while Mylene cares for their children. They proudly show their children’s new birth certificates.
© CARE 2025 (photographer: Martin San Diego)

Along the Bangonay River in Jabonga, parents Jelson and Mylene have endured many challenges: Floods, landslides, and conflict.

Thanks to the EU-funded ACCESS project, through ACCORD and CARE, they secured birth certificates for their children so they can go to school and access many other critical services. They also receive food kits, school supplies, shelter repair materials, hygiene kits, and a latrine. ‘There was aid that really brought joy into our lives. The joy we felt is priceless,’ they say.