The Philippines are a diverse group of islands united by a growing population, frequent natural disasters - such as typhoons and earthquakes - and rampant poverty. In spite of its success as a democracy with an emerging market, the country experiences serious poverty and “brain drain” leading to emigration to other countries due to lack of opportunity and health risks. Critical health issues:

• Communicable Disease; including malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, Hepatitis A and diarrheal disease
• Health care access is severely limited on many islands.

Our Work:

AmeriCares works with Sovereign Order of Malta in the Philippines to provide disaster and humanitarian relief. This partnership supports health care to people in need by providing medicine and medical supplies for over 150 institutions throughout the Philippines. Our donations reach hospitals, clinics, orphanages and homes for the elderly. Donated medical aid also supports remote medical and disaster relief teams.

Since 1985, AmeriCares has delivered more than $213 million worth of medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid to the Philippines. During that time, AmeriCares has partnered with the Sovereign Order of Malta- Philippines to provide humanitarian relief. The Sovereign Order of Malta- Philippines is a relief corps charged with coordinating all national aid for victims of epidemics, natural disasters and armed conflicts.

The Philippines ranks among the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its location on the typhoon belt and the Pacific earthquake rim – known as the “Ring of Fire”. Typhoons, mudslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions cause especially heavy damage and high rates of fatalities due to the inaccessibility of vulnerable communities on many of the islands.

To help survivors of Typhoon Bopha, which struck in December, 2012, AmeriCares sent emergency medical aid, deployed relief staff, and awarded a grant to help families in need. Earlier in the year, we responded as Tropical Storm Saola inundated the small island nation.

In December 2011, severe flooding from Tropical Storm Washi affected more than 150,000 people and left more than 50,000 displaced. Within 24 hours, AmeriCares responded with airlifts of emergency aid, and more shipments followed to support the efforts of our local partner.

In the fall of 2009, AmeriCares mounted massive relief efforts to help survivors of back-to-back typhoons. Read about AmeriCares relief efforts to help survivors of Typhoon Ketsana, Parma and Lupit.

In 2008, Typhoon Frank killed hundreds and left thousands homeless. In response to this overwhelming disaster, AmeriCares supplied financial support for the rebuilding of homes washed away by the cyclone. Read more »

In February 2006 the village of Guinsaugon, located in a vital economic province, experienced a massive mudslide. Nearly 1,000 people were buried in mud reaching depths of 100 feet. AmeriCares helped to supply medicine, blankets, mats, milk powder, and food.

Mother and Child Health:

We support programs for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. In 2007, AmeriCares delivered six shipments of medicine and medical supplies worth $6.5 million to help medical practitioners provide treatment and care for disadvantaged patients.  Read More »

Chronic Disease:

Supporting the Philippine General Hospital Breast Cancer Treatment project to treat early stage breast cancer patients through donations provided by AstraZeneca. Read More »

Nutrition:

Providing supplemental nutrition for mothers and children with shipments of XANGO meal packs. Read More »

Disaster Preparedness:

A special grant is helping partners purchase and pre-position critical emergency supplies to help displaced families within 72 hours of a disaster. Read More »

AmeriCares also donates medical products to qualified U.S. health care professionals who are traveling to the Philippines to provide charitable medical care. Through this program, donated medicines and medical supplies reach impoverished and isolated communities where even basic medical care is inaccessible to the poor or often non-existent. AmeriCares donations cure infections, relieve pain, help patients manage chronic diseases and make life-changing surgeries possible.

Find out more about our Medical Outreach program