Philippines Flood Response Brings Relief to 770 Families in La Paz

Heavy rainfall caused by a shear line weather system struck La Paz, Agusan del Sur in the CARAGA Region of Mindanao, Philippines, in February 2026, triggering flash floods and landslides that devastated thousands of families.

The disaster not only damaged homes but also disrupted livelihoods, reduced access to food, and affected the daily lives of communities that rely heavily on agriculture. Through the Shearline Flood Response in La Paz, Agusan del Sur project, Islamic Relief Malaysia, in collaboration with Islamic Relief Philippines, provided emergency assistance to help affected families meet their immediate needs.

More Than One Million People Affected by the Floods

The extreme weather conditions caused widespread destruction across several parts of the Philippines. Overall:

• 260,339 families (more than 1.08 million people) were affected.
• 7,757 families were displaced and forced to seek temporary shelter.
• 115 homes were damaged.
• Eight people lost their lives.

Beyond the loss of homes, many families also lost their livelihoods as farmlands and agricultural areas were submerged. Food supplies became increasingly limited, raising the risk of food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, children, and people with disabilities.

In La Paz, 10,304 families (approximately 42,016 people) across 15 barangays (villages) were among the communities most severely affected by the disaster.

Cash Assistance Helps Families Meet Urgent Needs

To support affected communities, Islamic Relief Malaysia, through Islamic Relief Philippines, implemented a cash-based emergency assistance programme, enabling families to purchase the items they needed most.

Under this project:

• 770 families received emergency cash assistance.
• Each family received PHP 3,000 (approximately RM198).

The programme prioritised:

• Farmers and agricultural workers.
• Flood-affected families.
• Families whose homes were damaged.
• Families living in high-risk areas.
• Families who had not yet received assistance from other organisations.

Cash assistance gives families the flexibility to purchase food, medicine, household essentials, and other urgent necessities according to their individual circumstances.

Helping Families Rebuild Their Lives After the Disaster

The emergency assistance not only addressed immediate needs but also supported families as they began rebuilding their lives.

The project has helped to:

• Reduce the risk of food insecurity.
• Enable families to meet their essential daily needs.
• Support the recovery of household livelihoods after income losses.
• Ensure assistance reaches those who need it most.

Every contribution provides hope and helps affected families recover with dignity after experiencing the devastating impact of the floods.

“The assistance we receive helps us cover our immediate needs, including food and other essential daily expenses. Before receiving this support, we depended solely on our irregular income from farming, making it difficult to provide for our family’s daily needs and support our daughter’s education.

“To the donors and supporters of Islamic Relief, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity. Your support brings hope to families like ours and gives us the strength to move forward despite the challenges we continue to face.” – Angelie Padrones, right holder

Be a Lifeline for Families Affected by Disaster

When disasters strike, vulnerable families need immediate support to access food, shelter, and other essential necessities.

Through Islamic Relief Malaysia’s MySedekah campaign, you can help ensure that more families affected by disasters receive timely humanitarian assistance.

Donate today through the MySedekah campaign and help bring hope, relief, and a brighter future to families in need.