UNICEF sends emergency aid to children hit by monsoon, storms

UNICEF Philippines has begun delivering emergency supplies to support children and families affected by Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the ongoing Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, which have brought widespread flooding and displacement across several regions.

Over 100 boxes of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and 80 breastfeeding kits are being deployed to vulnerable areas in Ilocos, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, part of UNICEF’s urgent response to growing malnutrition and displacement risks.

RUTF is a nutrient-rich, peanut-based paste used to treat severe wasting—the most lethal form of child undernutrition—while the breastfeeding kits contain essential supplies such as feeding cups, milk containers, towels, and health information to support lactating mothers in evacuation settings.

UNICEF Philippines is working closely with local government units to assess immediate needs and identify areas requiring further assistance as thousands of children remain at risk of hunger, disease, and disrupted education.

More than 15,000 public schools have been affected by the storms, and around 270 schools are now serving as evacuation centers, displacing both students and families while compromising access to basic services.

Children are especially vulnerable to water- and vector-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dengue, and leptospirosis, particularly those already suffering from undernutrition or preexisting medical conditions.

UNICEF Philippines Acting Representative Edgar Donoso Paz emphasized that the country’s most vulnerable continue to bear the brunt of the climate crisis.

“Children continue to pay the heavy price from climate shocks that threaten their well-being,” said Paz.

“Extreme weather events set them further back in their safety, learning, and development. We stand ready to support the emergency response, but we call on everyone to go beyond reducing the effects of emissions that cause climate change.”

He added that adaptation efforts must also be prioritized, including equipping children with the skills needed to navigate a climate-altered future.

As a cluster co-leader for nutrition, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in emergency settings, UNICEF coordinates with both national and local partners to streamline relief operations and ensure that critical services reach those most in need.

The agency warned that the rainy season is far from over, with more typhoons expected in the coming months, prompting the need for heightened preparedness and stronger community resilience initiatives.

In previous responses, UNICEF has supplied water purification tablets, hygiene kits, emergency learning materials, and mobile child-friendly spaces—tools that remain crucial in keeping children safe, healthy, and able to continue learning during climate emergencies.

UNICEF continues to call for stronger climate adaptation policies, sustained funding for emergency responses, and integrated disaster preparedness at the local level to safeguard the rights and future of Filipino children.

To learn more or support ongoing efforts, visit www.unicef.ph or follow UNICEF Philippines on social media.