A leader of a local NGO in the Philippines said: "The Philippines was hit with the most powerful storms on earth recorded last year — communities were devastated, families were left with nothing, and people were killed in flooding and earthquakes. [The Center for Disaster Preparedness] works with local communities to prepare for disasters and develop evacuation and mitigation plans, but because of aid cuts, we had to cancel programs across 8 communities impacting over 2,000 families. Disasters due to natural hazards are coming at us faster and faster, and people could die if not supported by local organizations.”
Date: 1/26
Region: East Asia & Pacific
Country: Philippines
Topic: Climate & Environment
Policy Lens: Climate & Resource Pressure
Entry Type: Field Observation
Additional Context: This quote is attributed to Mayfourth Luneta, deputy executive director of the Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation, an Oxfam partner in the Philippines.
Though Oxfam America does not accept U.S. government funding, its program teams have felt the ripple effects as partners, including the United Nations, had to scale back and halt programs due to these funding cuts. According to Oxfam, instability and humanitarian challenges are rapidly growing in a global system already overstretched. Many organizations operating as a lifeline to people in need were forced to shutter their operations overnight and no longer have the resources to carry out programs necessary for children and families to survive.
Source: Oxfam