Introduction
The Philippines is highly exposed to various natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, active volcanoes, earthquakes, and other climate-related risks. In addition, the ongoing conflict between the government and armed groups in the southernmost island of Mindanao impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
The precarious situation in the country often results in significant loss of life, livelihoods, and homes. The EU provides food, water and sanitation, health care, and other types of aid that help the most vulnerable survive emergencies.
What are the needs?
The Philippines has well-developed crisis management capacities. However, disasters such as typhoons, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions often cause large-scale damage and displacement. They also put a heavy strain on local resources.
In 2025, the monsoon season has been particularly severe, enhanced by several strong tropical cyclones impacting the country and causing widespread flooding. The humanitarian situation was further aggravated by 2 earthquakes registered in the provinces of Cebu and Davao.
In late 2024, a series of 6 significant cyclones affected the country in less than a month, affecting millions of people and displacing hundreds of thousands.
How are we helping?
For 2025, the EU approved an initial allocation of €6 million for humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness. It was later increased with over 3.7 million, as emergency funding was released in response to the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao and to a series of tropical cyclones.
In 2024, the EU allocated €6 million to the Philippines to support people affected by different emergencies. This included €3.4 million released following floods and Tropical Cyclones in Mindanao and other parts of the country in February, July, September and October.
EU humanitarian aid prioritises the most vulnerable conflict-affected communities in Mindanao, who have no other access to relief assistance. We provide food and nutritional assistance, health care, clean water and sanitation, and access to safe, equitable and quality education for those in need.
In 1996, the EU set up a disaster preparedness programme to reduce the impact of natural hazards and strengthen the capacities of authorities and communities to prepare for future events.
Current activities focus on strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Management systems in complex and fragile settings in Mindanao and support anticipatory action and rapid response to disasters and displacement.