Emergency Cash-based Interventions in Urban Areas: Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines

Tropical Storm Washi (locally name: “Sendong”) hit Mindanao, the largest island in southern Philippines, in December 2011. The volume of rains brought by the tropical storm created massive flash floods that caused widespread destruction to lives and properties, especially to Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, two major cities located in the north of Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro is a major commercial hub in northern Mindanao, while Iligan is considered an industrial centre in the region. The combined death toll in the two cities reached almost 1,500 casualties, and displaced people numbered 450,000, many of whom sought refuge in schools turned evacuation centres. Rapid assessments conducted by the government and various humanitarian agencies, including ACF International, indicated the priority needs were: (i) food; (ii) clean water and sanitation facilities both in evacuation centres and affected communities; and (iii) psycho-social support for those suffering mental distress due to their harrowing experience. Because of the enormity of the destruction and the needs to be addressed, the Philippine government called out to international community for assistance a few days after the calamity.