Typhoon Ketsana flooding. © CARE / Jes Aznar.The Philippines were the first country within the southern hemisphere where CARE started work, back in 1949.
At this time our work centred around delivering food supplies and health care for mothers and children.
Located in what is known as the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' - because of the frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in this area - the Philippines is vulnerable to natural disasters.
We tackle the sometimes catastrophic effects of these disasters, which can cause significant damage to the economy, by helping people prepare for them and use the natural resources around them to ensure they live in a sustainable way.
Making vital links
More than four million people – that is one third of Filipino families - live in poverty on less than a dollar-a-day. We know that in order to tackle social and economic inequalities, we need to work together.
All of our work in the Philippines is done in partnership with the Filipino government, private companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local community groups.
Bird flu
Some of our most successful work in the Philippines has been in the fight against bird flu. We work with a local partner organisation to help people in the Mindanao region to prepare for, and respond to, the avian flu virus.
We train them to recognise the warning signs and design plans of action in case of an outbreak. We also give the community based organisations involved, some simplified information so they can return to their communities and share what they have learned.
Support for small business people
We also work with local microfinance institution partners to offer financial support to small business entrepreneurs in the Philippines. This support comes in the form of no interest micro loans, through our lendwithcare programme.
