DRF Country Note - Philippines

Located within the Pacific Ring of Fire—a region of the Pacific Ocean where most of Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur—and within the Pacific Typhoon Belt, the Philippines is highly prone to devastating natural hazards. It is estimated that on average the country is hit by 20 typhoons each year, and earthquakes are common as well. The financial impact of these disasters hurts efforts to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth in the country. The poor suffer from disasters more than any other segment of the population. Not only do disasters destroy struggling households’ sparse assets and livelihoods; they make it harder for them to afford essentials and hence more likely to resort to negative coping strategies, such as cutting back on food or pulling children out of school. These practices can lead to malnutrition (stunting) and interfere with learning, both of which directly correlate with lower lifetime earnings.