Croatia, EU support through ACCESS

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Families in earthquake-hit northern Cebu will soon move from temporary shelters into safe, durable, dignified homes through new support from the government of Croatia and the European Union (EU) Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project. The initiative supports more than 197 people in San Remigio, one of the areas hardest hit by the September 2025 magnitude 6.9 earthquake, where months later many remain in makeshift shelters, evacuation centers, or damaged homes.

“The Republic of Croatia stands in solidarity with communities affected by the earthquake and is proud to support the EU-funded ACCESS activities as part of the EU and its Member States’ humanitarian response. By helping families rebuild safer homes, this initiative contributes to a dignified recovery while strengthening resilience to future disasters. In times of crisis, international cooperation is essential, and the Republic of Croatia remains committed to working with European and humanitarian partners to support people in need and reduce disaster risks,” said the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

The quake damaged more than 160,000 houses, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Assessments found that many had weak structures and were built with substandard materials. Without technical guidance or financial resources, affected communities struggled to rebuild.

This assistance is delivered by ACCESS consortium members ACCORD Inc., CARE Philippines, and Plan International Pilipinas, and includes construction materials, conditional cash support, and direct technical guidance. Shelter design is participatory, adapting homes to site conditions and household needs. Teams of local carpenters and community facilitators work closely with households to provide hands-on mentoring and quality checks. Engineers and architects also conduct on-site monitoring to ensure that safety standards are met.

“Alongside rebuilding houses, this effort helps communities regain control of their recovery,” said Sindhy Obias, Executive Director of ACCORD. “We build on local skills and leadership by working with local carpenters, training community facilitators, and supporting families to construct safer homes that can serve them well beyond the project.”

Said Reiza Deijto, Country Director of CARE Philippines, which leads ACCESS, “After an earthquake, a safe home is the first step back to normal life. Through core shelter assistance, families in Cebu receive the technical guidance and financial support they need to rebuild stronger, safer houses—designed around their realities and with room to grow as they recover.”

Core shelters are starter homes built with essential structural components that families can expand or improve over time. Immediately after the earthquake, ACCESS provided emergency shelters that offered privacy and protection but were not intended as permanent housing solutions. This new phase of support marks the transition from emergency response to longer-term recovery, helping families move into safer homes designed to withstand future earthquakes.

“In Cebu and other areas, we have seen how families – especially girls, children, young people, and women – continue to bear the weight of repeated disasters long after the headlines and media stories fade,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas. “Shelter recovery is not just about rebuilding homes but also about restoring dignity, strengthening resilience, and giving survivors the confidence and means to move forward and prepare for whatever may come next.”