Christian Aid in the Philippines

We are focusing our work so that every programme reaches those most in need, addresses the root causes of poverty, speaks truth to power and raises the voices of people living in poverty. 

Inspired by our new global strategy, Standing Together, we are deepening our interventions in fewer countries and living as good stewards within our means.

Summary:

Christian Aid worked in the Philippines for nearly 40 years, focusing on resilience and justice to address the persistent poverty and inequality aggravated by disasters and the risks of climate change. This work built on foundations of economic policies, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, mining and urban poverty.

Women leading drive to renewable energy

One of the legacies of Christian Aid’s work in the Philippines is a movement of women, survivors of 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan, leading the drive towards renewable energy.

A collection of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Christian Aid’s partner, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), worked in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, to integrate renewable energy into disaster response, and rebuild safer, more sustainable communities.

Despite bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, women like Virginia – once a coconut farmer, forced closer to the sea by the Typhoon in order to survive – use solar power to support their families, and to prepare and respond to disasters. Fisherfolk can fish throughout the night, and the island’s only baker can sell bread at dawn.