The European Union has released over €1.25 million, or around P85 million, in humanitarian aid to support communities devastated by tropical cyclones Tino and Uwan. These disasters have left hundreds dead, millions displaced, and widespread damage across several regions. The aid targets families who lost homes or remain displaced, including those in Cebu still recovering from a recent earthquake.
The aid will deliver emergency assistance to families who lost their homes or remain displaced, including communities in Cebu still recovering from a recent earthquake that compounded the impact of the two typhoons.
Of the €1.25 million total, €250,000 or P17 million will be channeled through the Philippine Red Cross to provide shelter materials, sleeping kits, household essentials, and cash aid for basic needs. Healthcare, water, and sanitation support are also included.
The funds form part of the EU’s contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Its partners have activated existing EU-funded disaster preparedness and anticipatory action programs to deliver cash assistance and first-response support on the ground.
This newest tranche brings the EU’s total humanitarian and disaster-preparedness aid to the Philippines this year to €8.5 million or P578.6 million. Earlier support included €1.3 million after tropical cyclones in July and late September, and €1.2 million for communities affected by earthquakes in Cebu and Davao.
The recent tropical cyclones, Tino and Uwan, have caused significant casualties and widespread damage in the Philippines. Typhoon Tino has caused 232 confirmed deaths, with 112 still missing and more than 500 injured across Cebu, Negros, Agusan del Sur, and nearby provinces. The disaster displaced over 370,000 people, many of whom remain in evacuation centers or with relatives due to damaged or destroyed homes.
Meanwhile, Super Typhoon Uwan has resulted in at least 27 deaths, left two people missing, and injured dozens more. It displaced about 4.2 million residents across Luzon, with nearly 1.4 million individuals still sheltering in more than 11,000 evacuation centers nationwide.
Agricultural losses from the two typhoons have reached an estimated P743.83 million. Tino alone caused P555.56 million in damage, severely affecting rice fields and other crops across multiple regions. Uwan contributed around P188.27 million in losses, impacting thousands of farmers and large areas of farmland in Luzon and beyond.
These disasters have strained response and recovery operations, particularly in Cebu, where communities are simultaneously dealing with the aftermath of a recent earthquake.