Natural and human-induced disasters severely disrupt agricultural livelihoods and ultimately threaten food security. The Philippines ranks second in the 2020 Global Climate Risk Index of countries most vulnerable to natural hazards. The situation is even more complex in the island-region of Mindanao, which has been suffering from decades of conflict and is also projected to be one of the most at-risk regions to the impacts of climate change.

Back-to-back crises make it difficult for farming and fishing families in the country to rebound as they struggle to replace what was lost or damaged, be it seeds and tools, livestock or fishing gear. Getting vulnerable communities back to producing food and earning an income–and helping them withstand the next disaster–is at the heart of FAO’s work in the Philippines.

Since the 1950s, FAO has been working with the Philippine Government to respond to emergencies related to plant and animal diseases, typhoons, flooding, drought, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and armed conflict that affect rural communities and small-scale farming and fishing families. 

Recently, FAO has been supporting efforts of the national government to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on the country's agriculture, food security, and food systems. Additionally, the country office has responded to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Goni and Typhoon Vamco that both hit the country towards the end of 2020. FAO has also appealed for support to help affected farming and fishing communities whose livelihoods were severely impacted by the two extreme weather events. 

• Super Typhoon Rai (local name: Odette)
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Super Typhoon Goni and Typhoon Vamco
• Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda)
• Other emergencies