Super Typhoon Rai pummeled the island nation of the Philippines from Dec. 16-17 with winds exceeding 160 mph—causing major destruction and leaving at least 375 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. The typhoon—known locally as Odette—was comparable to what in the United States would be referred to as a Category 5 hurricane. Its devastating…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Response Continues Among Storm-Ravaged Philippines
Hundreds of thousands of families are still displaced and suffering after Super Typhoon Rai tore through the southern islands of the Philippines two weeks ago. Among the most critical, urgent needs are emergency food supplies for the countless communities struggling to restore infrastructure and provide for basic daily necessities. Many families lost everything in the…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Providing Critical Relief to Isolated Island Communities in the Philippines
More than one month after Super Typhoon Rai slammed into the Philippines, Samaritan’s Purse is still working hard to meet the needs of remote island villages. Many of these impoverished communities are only accessible by boat, making relief efforts much more difficult. “Sea travel has an element of danger because the sea level transitions from…
Operation Christmas Child
The Gospel Comes to Remote Parts of the Philippines
Princess used to worry a lot. The 13-year-old lives with her grandmother and they sometimes don’t have enough food for three meals a day. She rarely sees her parents, who left their remote village for the city in hopes of finding work and securing a better life for their family. But these days she doesn’t…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Providing Bicycles for Food Delivery Drivers in the Philippines
Samaritan’s Purse continues to explore creative ways to support families around the world still struggling from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philippines, we recently provided 30 individuals with a bicycle in order to help them secure a new job in food delivery. Our project is in partnership with the Manila City…
Operation Christmas Child
Making Disciples in the Philippines
The boys and girls knew to quickly pick up their chairs and scoot to the side, clearing the narrow alleyway anytime a bicycle or motorbike needed to squeeze through. These interruptions to the discipleship class happened often enough that they had become normal, and the children and their teachers carried on with worship and Bible…
Women's Programs
Nutrition Training Saves Lives in the Philippines
He cried relentlessly throughout the night, struggled with a persistent cough, and had no appetite. “We did not know why he would not stop crying,” said Nilma, the child’s mother. Nilma decided to ask for help from Mailyn, a community health worker trained by Samaritan’s Purse in the Philippines. Mailyn could tell that Ziyad, or…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Asia Flooding Triggers Relief Responses in Three Countries
A series of deadly tropical storms in rapid succession has caused catastrophic damage and the worst flooding that parts of Southeast Asia have endured in more than four decades. Floodwaters, fallen trees, and debris have left entire villages inaccessible. Hundreds of thousands of homes across the region are damaged or destroyed. Decimated crops have left…
Health & Medical Ministries
A Family’s Life Turns Around Despite Hardships During the Pandemic
Dennis is among many people in the Philippines who have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 global health crisis. Although his wife was able to keep her position as a sales clerk, the family struggled to make ends meet on just her income. Dennis tried earning money to support his wife and three daughters…
Operation Christmas Child
Faith on the Mountaintop
Pastor Rick and his team knew it would be tough—physically and spiritually—to reach the remote village they had been lifting up in prayer. To share the Good News of Jesus Christ there, the group had to scale steep mountains, cross rivers full of rocks and stones, and push through dense bamboo and vegetation. Their journey…
