MADR-SAR PH - Relief Operation

Relief Operation Initiative

Our Relief Operation Initiative is a community-led response to disasters that prioritizes solidarity, dignity, and mutual aid. We support affected communities by working alongside local residents, volunteers, and grassroots groups to meet urgent needs while strengthening collective capacity and self-organization.

Rather than top-down aid delivery, our relief operations are rooted in Kapwa-Tulungan (Mutual Aid)—sharing resources, labor, and responsibility. We focus on transparent distribution, community participation, and locally identified needs to ensure that assistance reaches those most affected, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Relief is not treated as a one-time act of charity. It is part of a broader process of recovery and resilience-building that connects emergency response with preparedness, community organizing, and long-term solutions. Whenever possible, relief efforts also support local livelihoods and sustainable practices.

Through this initiative, we aim to:

Provide timely, needs-based relief during emergencies
Support community-led distribution and decision-making
Strengthen mutual aid networks and local response capacity
Uphold dignity, accountability, and collective care

Relief is most effective when communities are empowered to lead. Our Relief Operation Initiative exists to stand in solidarity with communities as they protect, support, and rebuild together.

Safe Space Community 4th Outreach Program

BEYOND THE SHORE: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH COMPASSION

Date: December 23, 2025

Location: Freedomville, Brgy. Bucana, Naic, Cavite

This outreach program was initiated together with our friends from Safe Space Community, and we are deeply grateful to be one of the collaborators in this meaningful effort.

One of the objectives of this program was to provide basic essentials, such as grocery packs, as this coastal community is among the poorest in the Province of Cavite.

The community has experienced several floods this year due to the impact of multiple typhoons. The fisherfolk are still recovering from previous typhoons that destroyed their boats and damaged their homes.

They also continue to feel the long-term impacts of seabed quarrying that occurred in recent years, particularly through the significant decline in fish catch. Because of this situation, many fisherfolk have been forced to seek work in construction to support their families.

In response, part of the program focused on discussing the Philippine Fisheries Code, where we explained the preferential rights of municipal fisherfolk. We also shared the issue surrounding the 15-kilometer municipal waters, and how recent policies allowing commercial fishing vessels to enter these waters negatively affect small-scale fisherfolk. These large vessels have the capacity to harvest fish on a massive scale, leading to overfishing and further marginalizing local communities.

We also discussed the issues of reclamation projects and seabed quarrying in Manila Bay, and how these projects directly destroy the seabed, threatening the entire marine ecosystem. These activities lead to fisherfolk displacement, coastal erosion, the destruction of the marine food web, and growing food insecurity. They also directly contribute to the climate crisis, in which the Philippines—especially coastal communities—remains among the most vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards that result in disasters.

Through this discussion, we were also able to help other volunteers understand that seabed quarrying and reclamation are not merely sectoral issues, but generational ones. It is always ordinary people—farmers, workers, students, and poor communities—who directly experience the harsh impacts of climate change in the Philippines.

Alongside these discussions, we provided logistical support by transporting relief goods in the morning and snacks in the afternoon.

A first aid station was also set up, where our comrades Benjie and Moses extended their services by providing wound cleaning and blood pressure checks for both community members and volunteers.

We also witnessed and acknowledged the strength of the community, particularly the women—many of them mothers—who prepared food for volunteers and residents that served as our morning snacks and lunch. This reflects the vital role women play in the community and affirms that they are not merely passive victims of poverty and disaster.

The program also included a Mental Health Talk and Gospel Sharing, while our co-volunteers from Rotaract Club and Kilusang Kabataan Kabitenyo facilitated children’s games, bringing joy and laughter to the kids.

Overall, we congratulate Safe Space Community, all participating groups, individual volunteers, and the community itself for a successful outreach activity.

This experience powerfully affirms that compassion, guided by liberating principles and collective effort, can create real change.

Finally, the culture of sharing is not only about giving material aid—it is also about giving time, listening deeply, and honoring the voices and stories that come from the ground.

Mabuhay ang Kultura ng Bahaginan at Kapwa-Tulungan!

Solidarity Action: Dipasaleng Coastal Community

Typhoon Uwan Response

Solidarity Action: Dipasaleng Coastal Community

Typhoon Uwan Response

Location: Sitio Dipasaleng, Dilasag, Aurora

Date: November 22–25, 2025

Background

On November 9, 2025, Super Typhoon Uwan struck the province of Aurora head-on. Coastal communities in the northern part of the province—Dinadiawan, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag, and Cozo—were heavily devastated. Many families lost their homes, livelihoods, and essential belongings as storm surges swept through entire settlements.

Sitio Dipasaleng, of a remote coastal community of more than 100 families, remains among the most affected. Residents rely primarily on fishing and vegetable farming, but many lost their boats, crops, and tools. Electricity in the area is still down and, according to locals, may take several more weeks to restore.

In response, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue PH (MADR-SAR PH) launched a volunteer-driven Solidarity Mission to support the community with immediate relief, hot meals, power charging, and disaster awareness activities.

Day 1 – Arrival and Mobilization

On November 21, 2025, the team departed Cavite at 3:00 AM. We picked up volunteer Yno in Clark, Pampanga, around 6:00 AM, then met Joel, a local volunteer from San Luis, Aurora, around 11:00 AM, who served as our main guide and coordinator.

Before heading north, we stopped at the Baler Wet Market to purchase vegetables and supplies. While buying ingredients, vendor Ate Rena learned that the goods were for affected communities up north. She immediately donated a 10 kg bag of squash and insisted on giving us a discount for the rest of our purchases.

Her generosity reminded us that solidarity often comes from those who have the least. As we always say: you don’t need to be rich to help—you only need compassion and conscience. We are deeply grateful for her kindness.

We left Baler at 1:30 PM. The road to Dipasaleng was difficult—damaged sections, steep climbs, and debris made travel slow. By 5:30 PM, we reached Camp Kaguman, at the boundary of Casiguran and Dilasag.

Upon learning why we were in the area, Ate Vilma and her family—the caretakers of the resort—welcomed us to stay even though the resort was non-operational after being devastated by the typhoon. They also volunteered to help with the next day’s activities.

Later in the evening, we visited Sitio Dipasaleng to introduce our mission. Community members expressed willingness to volunteer and help with the food distribution.

Day 2 – Community Kitchen & Disaster Awareness

At 8:30 AM, we set up a free community charging station, allowing residents to power their phones, power banks, flashlights, and small devices—critical for staying connected with loved ones and monitoring ongoing weather updates.

By 9:00 AM, local volunteers Carlo, Ronnie, Ate Belinda, and Ate Daisy arrived, together with Ate Vilma, Dian, and Totoy, and MADR-SAR volunteers Joel, Yno, Rox, and Ja, for the meal plan orientation.

We agreed to cook all the vegetables available to ensure we could feed the whole community.

Chef Ronnie took the lead, with Carlo as assistant.

They prepared Pakbet, Chopsuey-style vegetables, Mongo, and rice.

The rest of the team handled prep work.

Cooking outdoors was difficult due to intermittent rains and strong winds, but by 2:00 PM, we completed the meals and took a late lunch before preparing the food for distribution.

By evening, we were able to serve meals to more than 100 individuals.

Disaster Awareness & Community Capacitation

That night, we facilitated an initial RESCOM discussion:

Rox discussed the fundamentals of hazards—what they are, how to identify them, why preparedness is essential, and why communities like theirs remain highly vulnerable. She also emphasized the power of nature, reminding everyone that no man-made structure can overpower natural forces; only nature-based solutions can help reduce risks and strengthen resilience.

Meanwhile, Ja shared the idea that the community itself is the first line of defense. He highlighted that they are not passive victims of disaster but active protectors of one another. He pointed out their existing local systems, such as the “Batingaw,” a community bell used to gather residents during important announcements or emergencies. We just need to acknowledge that each communities have its own local skills, cultures, and systems—when strengthened—can fully capacitate the community, guided by the principles of solidarity, cooperation, mutual aid, self-determination, direct action, and autonomy.

Day 3 – Hot Meals for Students & Initial Assessment

By 7:00 AM, the team began preparing lugaw for students, teachers, and parents. Ate Belinda and Ate Villa led the cooking effort, serving over 100 students and community members.

At 1:00 PM, we departed for San Luis to spend another night and conduct additional assessments.

We arrived around 5:00 PM.

Initial Observations:

Electricity restoration in Dipasaleng may take a month or more.

An estimated 30% of households do not have mini-solar systems for basic lighting.

Poverty is a major driver of vulnerability.

Community gardening and farming could serve as alternative livelihoods.

Residents need materials to rebuild homes and fishing boats.

Most northern Aurora coastal communities are highly exposed to storm surges and landslides.

There is an urgent need for capacity-building, awareness, and training in Disaster Risk Reduction and Community-Based Disaster Management.

Day 4 – Departure

At 5:00 AM, the team left San Luis for the return trip to Cavite. We dropped off Yno in Dau, Pampanga, at 10:30 AM, and by 1:00 PM, Ja, Rox, and Kidlat arrived safely in Cavite.

Message of Gratitude

MADR-SAR PH extends its deepest gratitude to all volunteers, especially the women who played a vital role in food preparation and community coordination.

The culture of sharing is one of the strongest foundations of community resilience—rooted in solidarity, cooperation, direct action, autonomy, and self-determination.

We also thank our local and international comrades who continue to support grassroots mutual aid and community-led disaster response.

Current Situation: Typhoon Verbena

Today, Typhoon Verbena is crossing Negros Oriental after making its fourth landfall. Wind Signal No. 1 remains raised in 29 provinces across the Visayas, Southern Luzon, and parts of Mindanao.

With this, we anticipate that many communities may again need support, and our Visayas network may soon require assistance.

Next Steps (Aurora)

We aim to conduct our RESCOM program across various coastal areas of Northern Aurora next year (summer). The primary goal is to strengthen the communities’ resilience, self-reliance, and collective capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, while also improving their daily lives through sustainable and community-driven practices.

Solidarity Action: Malagasang Imus Cavite Community

Typhoon Uwan Response

Solidarity Action: Malagasang Community

Typhoon Uwan Response

Location: Sitio Malagasang Imus Cavite

Date: November 11, 2025

As part of our ongoing initiative to support communities affected by Typhoon Uwan, we were able to deliver basic goods to Malagasan, Imus, which were then distributed to 40-plus families.

A huge thank you to these amazing ladies who repacked the goods and shared them with their neighbors. Your solidarity and hard work keep the community strong.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse