Church Provides Aid After Twin Typhoons in Philippines

November 21, 2025 ohidah

Shelter and Support During Unprecedented Storms

After two powerful typhoons struck the Philippines within days of each other, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mobilized an extensive emergency response to assist nearly 50,000 people affected by flooding, displacement, and destruction. More than 240 Church meetinghouses across the country were opened as shelters, providing refuge to members and community residents who lost their homes or were forced to evacuate.

Impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi

The first storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Typhoon Tino, crossed the central region on Tuesday, November 4. It delivered an extraordinary amount of rainfall equivalent to nearly one and a half months’ worth in a single day, impacting Cebu and surrounding islands. The typhoon caused significant devastation, resulting in more than 230 fatalities and affecting millions of people with severe flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.

Super Typhoon Fung-wong Intensifies the Crisis

Only days later, on Sunday, November 9, Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally called Uwan, made landfall in Luzon. This second storm battered northern and central Luzon, particularly Aurora, Isabela, Catanduanes and Ifugao. The back-to-back disasters placed immense pressure on responders, prompting the Philippine government to declare a state of calamity.

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Church Response Immediate Relief and Support

According to the Church’s Philippines Newsroom, the rapid humanitarian response included:

Distribution of food and clean drinking water
Provision of temporary shelters and emergency housing
Supply of portable lighting and utility support
Delivery of hygiene kits, cooking supplies and other essential goods
Distribution of communication equipment to assist isolated communities

Missionaries and local Church members worked together to clear debris, help families salvage belongings and distribute essential items. Members also voluntarily provided warm meals, clothing, bedding and other necessities to displaced families.

Despite the scale of the disaster, all missionaries serving in the Philippines were reported safe and accounted for. Damage to Church facilities was minimal and all temples remained fully operational.

Thousands of Church Members Affected

The Philippines Newsroom reported that approximately 6,200 Latter-day Saint members were directly affected by Typhoon Kalmaegi. Many experienced damage to homes, loss of property and disruption to their daily lives. While some families have begun returning to their communities, many remain displaced and in need of ongoing assistance for cleanup and rebuilding efforts.

Ongoing Assessment and Community Solidarity

In an update posted on November 12, Church representatives noted that assessment of community needs is ongoing, and additional relief efforts will continue as conditions evolve.

The Church also expressed deep gratitude to local leaders, volunteers and missionaries:

“We express our deep appreciation to local Church leaders, members and missionaries who show Christlike love and embody the Filipino spirit of bayanihan by continuing to support one another and their neighbors during this very difficult time.”

The Spirit of Bayanihan in Action

The crisis has highlighted the resilience and unity of Filipino communities. The Church’s relief efforts, strengthened by thousands of volunteers, reflect the deeply rooted cultural value of bayanihan, a spirit of communal help and collective strength during hardship.

In the coming weeks, the Church will continue working with local governments, humanitarian organizations and community groups to support recovery, especially in the hardest-hit regions.

Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi

Image Credit: Thechurchnews.com