Cookies on oxfam

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find out more

Syria Crisis Appeal

A million refugees urgently need shelter, food and water

Donate now

Oxfam in the Philippines

Farmer Trinidad Domingo in her field. The majority of women in the Philippines remain severely marginalised, often because the work they do is either unpaid or unrecognised. Photo: Veejay Villafranca

What we're doing

Rising food prices, a growing population and a shortage of suitable land for crops mean that poverty is a major issue in the Philippines. Women are particularly badly affected, and violence against women is also a big problem here. On top of this, the country is vulnerable to floods, earthquakes, landslides and typhoons. Oxfam creates more opportunities for women here by providing vital tools, advice and financial assistance. We also help people in high risk areas prepare for natural disasters and get back on track in the aftermath.

Full details of what Oxfam is doing in the Philippines (PDF, 238KB)

Find out more

Related reports and papers

Oxfam in the Philippines blog

Typhoon Bopha

Over 100,000 people in the Philippines have been made homeless by Typhoon Bopha.

Philippines Typhoon Bopha

In 2010-11 Oxfam helped:

75,000
people in
the Philippines

You can help

Oxfam's projects in countries like the Philippines rely on your generosity.

Donate now 

Snapshot of Oxfam in the Philippines

Photo 1/10 photo by: Tom Greenwood

More than 2 million people have been displaced by conflict in the southern region of Mindanao – one of the poorest regions in the Philippines. Oxfam helps women like Noraisa Iskak (pictured), to develop sustainable ways of making a living. Here, Noraisa displays a selection of organic fertilisers and pesticides produced by the Oxfam supported women's group of which she's a member.

  • More than 2 million people have been displaced by conflict in the southern region of Mindanao – one of the poorest regions in the Philippines. Oxfam helps women like Noraisa Iskak (pictured), to develop sustainable ways of making a living. Here, Noraisa displays a selection of organic fertilisers and pesticides produced by the Oxfam supported women's group of which she's a member.
  • We also lobby for more government investment in agriculture as part of our global GROW campaign working towards a future in which everyone has enough to eat. Here, female farmers show off their produce at a 'Women's Market' event organised by Oxfam in Manilla to highlight the work of rural women.
  • Campaigning for real and lasting change is a major component of our work in the Philippines. In addition to our GROW campaign, we also lobby for fairer trade rules and a legally binding agreement to combat climate change. Here, female farmers from the Philippines and other Asian nations take part in a Women’s March for Climate Action during the Bangkok Intersessional meeting in October 2009.
  • Because of its geography and location, the Philippines is the most disaster-prone country in East Asia. Natural disasters and conflict are regular threats to people's lives and livelihoods. When Typhoon Ketsana hit in September 2009, Oxfam acted quickly to provide support to some of the worst affected. Our emergency work has also included responding Typhoons Reming and Frank, Tropical Storm Parma, and the long-standing armed conflict in Mindanao.

The impact of our work

 I have five children and I used to have to fetch 15 pails of drinking water more than 100 metres aware from the home before. Now, with the tubewell constructed near the houses as a safe drinking source of water, I feel protected from waterborne diseases.


Rachma Abdulbasher, beneficiary of an Oxfam tubwell, Mindanao