In the first semester of 2022, the Philippines experienced 587 disaster incidents, of which 36 events were related to natural, 231 human-induced, and 320 both natural and human-induced disasters. Overall, these claimed the lives of 9,576 across the country, affected more than 3.7 million people, displaced almost 1.18 million persons, and recorded approximately Php4.45 billion in economic losses.

Disasters from natural causes caused the most disastrous impact, accounting for 99% of the total number of fatalities, 80% of the total number of people affected, 83% of the total population displaced, and 87% of the recorded damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and private properties. Of these fatalities, COVID-19 accounted for 96% or a total of 9,171 deaths.

The Philippines’ vulnerability to disasters is attributed to a combination of factors, namely, its geographical and physical characteristics, the unabated environmental destruction, and worsening impacts of climate change. The country’s socio-economic crisis and political situation aggravate these vulnerabilities. The Filipino people have been suffering from unemployment or oppressively low incomes, insufficient social services, if there’s any at all, and even state repression and violence. The COVID-19, on its third year of onslaught, contributes to the already dire conditions of the citizenry.

Download full report here: 2022-Philippine-Disaster-Situation.pdf (809 downloads)