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Philippines

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2023-06 Factsheet - Philippines

June 2023
Dec 2023 >
France Noguera / IFRC

Highlights

The Shelter Cluster Philippines is active to coordinate humanitarian shelter actions during preparedness and response. The Cluster is led by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) which is currently transitioning into this role, and co-led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

During the first half of 2023, highlights include: 

  • The shelter cluster has been active in supporting DHSUD’s capacity building activities.
  • Contribute to the discussions and activities supporting to the ERC Flagship Initiative
  • Conduct of the initial preparation and hiring of the Research Consultant for the Philippine Country Environmental Profile.

If you would like to make any contributions to this factsheet, please contact Lionel Dosdos on coord1.phil@sheltercluster.org

Need analysis

Philippines is situated in the Typhoon Belt and experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year with ten (10) of these making landfall, and an average of five (5) typhoons are usually destructive according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).  

Southwest monsoon affects the country from late June to around the last week of November. Flash floods and landslides are regular incidents during this season. For this year, PAGASA reports that the El Niño phenomenon is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the coming months. While El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. Over the western part of the country, (Regions 5, 8 and Caraga) will experience above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat). Increasing the chances of an extreme weather event that can cause catastrophic impact to communities at risk.

The country also lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire and in-between two major tectonic plates namely the Eurasian Plate (in the West) and Pacific Plate (in the East) that causes earthquakes due to the movement of these tectonic plates. There are approximately 200 volcanoes recorded in the Philippines of which 22 are considered active, and five (5) are considered dangerous and eruption may happen anytime. Mt. Mayon is currently under Alert Level 3, having recorded low effusion of lava flow, increase Seismicity activity (rockfall events, pyroclastic density events, volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremors) and the release of a 1,500 meters tall plume. While Mt, Taal and Mt. Kanlaon are on Alert Level 1. 

At least 60% of the Philippine’s total land area is exposed to multiple hazards, and 74% of the population is susceptible to their impact. Large number of communities have settled in either coastal or mountain side areas that is susceptible to tidal surge, tsunamis as well as landslide and soil erosion.   In other instances, communities are located on top of the fault line or within range of pyroclastic flow and ash fall.  In certain parts of Visayas and Mindanao, communities are not only exposed to hydro and metrological hazards but also are threatened by unstable security and peace and order situation. Moreover, 18% of the population (20.34 million individuals) live below the poverty line making them further vulnerable to these hazards.

Considering these multiple hazards and vulnerabilities, at-risk affected population would need various sheltering interventions such as:

For displaced populations:

  • temporary sheltering options
  • NFI kits
  • access to long-term solutions to address displacement

 For non-displace populations:

  • NFI kits,
  • technical and materials assistance to address adequate shelter

Response

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS

  • Coordination structures in place, working relations with the national authorities and other international and local partners established.
  • Operational capacity & arrangements to deliver relief, IM, participate in assessments, response monitoring arrangements and reporting capacity are in placed.
  • Contact lists of relevant agencies maintained and regularly updated.
  • Shelter Standards and Guidelines are established and adapted by the shelter cluster members
  • Over 10 national and regional training and capacity building workshops have been supported by the shelter cluster coordinator to roll-out the Humanitarian Coordination and Shelter Cluster Coordination Mechanism, Sphere Standards and Shelter IM tools, 8 Key Messages on Building Back Better.
  • Shelter Cluster Coordinator with Shelter Cluster Member agencies are supporting the government national line agency, Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development on the Roll out for the Philippine Post Disaster Shelter Recovery Framework Policy, preparation of the City/Municipal Local Post Disaster Shelter Recovery Plan and the roll out for the installation of the local government lead shelter cluster.
  • Business Continuity Plan for the Big Move (Earthquake) in Metro Manila is place at the Philippine Humanitarian Country Team.

Shelter Cluster member agencies with Shelter Stockpile prepositioning

  • Philippine Red Cross and IFRC: Batangas, Laoag, Mandaluyong, Subic (Greater Metro Manila Area and Luzon) , Mandaue (Cebu), Passi (Visayas) and Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis (Mindnao)
  • IOM: DSWD NCR, Legaspi (Southern Luzon)
  • CRS:  Batangas 
  • ShelterBox: Cebu 

RESPONSE

  • There have not been any large-scale responses during this period.  

Gaps / challenges

  • Preparedness for shelter response in urban environment.
  • Funding for shelter response and recovery.
  • Funding for Capacity development for the Government Shelter Cluster Lead, DHSUD