CBM’s Disability Inclusive Response to Tropical Cyclone Trami in the Philippines

Posted on: Friday, November 15th, 2024

On the 22nd October Tropical Cyclone Trami brought destructive winds and torrential rain across the Philippines resulting in widespread flooding and landslides.

Over 700,000 people have been displaced and more than seven million people have been impacted (of which nearly 2.5 million are in the Bicol region where CBM has been working) with women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities the most affected.

People with disabilities are up to four times likely to lose their lives or be injured as a result of a natural disaster. During a crisis, they often cannot escape quickly from danger, miss out on warnings, and often lack access to emergency aid in the aftermath. This makes it vital that there is a truly inclusive response to the events in the Philippines.

CBM is working with our local partners (Simon of Cyrene, Caritas Diocese of Libmanan, and Balik Kalipay Center) to respond across four provinces in the Bicol region. We are focussing on providing cash assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as providing assistive devices like wheelchairs and crutches and replacing those damaged by the typhoon.

Our response will target the most vulnerable households affected by the cyclone and will work in the most heavily affected municipalities where our local partners are already working.