MANILA, 29 July 2025—In the wake of the devastating rains brought about by Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon or known locally as Habagat, UNICEF Philippines is delivering lifesaving supplies to children and families affected.
The UN children’s body is assessing the situation on the ground to help prioritize assistance to local government units requiring further support. Over 100 boxes of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and 80 breastfeeding kits are on their way to the Ilocos, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions. RUTF, a nutrient-rich, energy-dense paste made from peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins, and minerals, has been instrumental in treating millions of children suffering from severe wasting—the most life-threatening form of undernutrition. Breastfeeding kits are intended to help lactating mothers with supplies such as breastmilk containers, feeding cups, towels, and information materials.
UNICEF expresses deep concern for the welfare of children, particularly in ensuring their continued access to essential services such as health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and protection. Children are also at heightened risk for water and vector-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dengue, and leptospirosis. Those with preexisting conditions such as wasting are especially vulnerable and may experience rapid deterioration, potentially leading to death. Over 15,000 public schools have been affected and around 270 are being used as evacuation centers.
As cluster co-leaders of nutrition, child protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene, UNICEF regularly communicates with partners both at the national and local levels. UNICEF also emphasizes the need to ramp up preparedness efforts as the rainy season has just begun, and more typhoons are expected this year.
“Children continue to pay the heavy price from climate shocks that threaten their well-being. Extreme weather events set them further back in their safety, learning, and development. We stand ready to support the emergency response, but we call on everyone to go beyond reducing the effects of emissions that cause climate change. We must also focus on adaptation to manage its impacts and empower children with skills needed for a climate-changed world,” said UNICEF Philippines Acting Representative Edgar Donoso Paz.
