Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 24 July 2025 – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding on the ground as Severe Tropical Storm Co-may (local name: Emong) and Tropical Depression Francisco (local name: Dante) continue to impact wide areas of the country. Heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions are affecting Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, placing many communities at serious risk. The combined force of these storms is causing flooding, landslides, and coastal disruptions. Metro Manila is experiencing strong rains, flash floods, and heavy traffic due to waterlogged roads and poor visibility.
Red Cross on the Frontlines
The Philippines Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding to support evacuation efforts, rescuing people stranded by floods, distributing food, clean water, and essential relief items, and coordinating closely with local authorities. Its resources are sufficient at this stage, but with multiple weather systems in recent weeks, the team is stretched. Continued operations like these will need strong support in the coming days if conditions worsen.
“We deployed to the most impacted areas. Our local preparedness and readiness have been adequate to ensure that our lifesaving assistance are not disrupted due to flooding, landslides and continuous torrential rainfall,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, the country’s largest humanitarian organisation covering all provinces and major cities.
PRC teams from both local chapters and the National Headquarters remain on full standby to reinforce response efforts as needed. “At the Philippine Red Cross, we prioritise people’s lives and livelihoods above everything. Our volunteers are working around the clock to save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold the dignity of their fellow Filipinos,” Dr. Pang added, urging the public to remain vigilant, follow official warnings, and support each other, especially the most vulnerable members of their communities.
More Storms May Be on the Way
From June to the present, six low-pressure systems have developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), with some evolving into full storms — such as Wipha (local name: Crising), Francisco, and now Co-may. Experts expect the typhoon season and Southwest Monsoon (commonly known as Habagat in the Philippines) rains to continue through October, meaning more heavy rain and flooding could still come.
“Thanks to the strong preparedness and planning of the Philippine Red Cross, urgent relief stocks are sufficient for now,” said Sanjeev Kafley, Head of Delegation for the IFRC in the Philippines. However, he noted that ongoing emergency operations in recent weeks are beginning to stretch available resources. Kafley emphasised that the IFRC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross and stands ready to provide additional support through the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) should any supply gaps arise.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]
In Kuala Lumpur: Lili Chin, +6016 2340872
In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75