• Launch of public appeal to support disaster response in the Philippines
• Contribution of S$50,000 to support immediate relief efforts in Vietnam 
• Activation of Restoring Family Links to help communities locate loved ones

Singapore, 16 October 2025 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is responding to the recent natural disasters across the Philippines and Vietnam, and working closely with partners to ensure our humanitarian assistance directly addresses the most urgent and evolving needs on the ground.

“The situation in both Vietnam and the Philippines following the recent disasters is dire. Despite the challenging situation the affected communities have persevered through adversities, and our sister national societies have swiftly responded to the needs of these communities, especially the more vulnerable. As our hearts go out to those impacted by the disasters, we hope that the people of Singapore will join us in solidarity and support our ongoing response in both countries. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and stand ready to work alongside our partners for the recovery of the affected communities,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO, Singapore Red Cross.

TYPHOON MATMO, VIETNAM 

In response to the floods caused by three consecutive storms: Ragasa, Bualoi and Matmo, the SRC is contributing SGD$50,000 to support immediate relief efforts by the Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC). The efforts include the provision of shelter, clean drinking water, first aid and psychosocial support, and basic necessities like food rations; blankets and tarpaulins for those affected. 

Storm No. 9 Ragasa, formed on September 22, triggered widespread heavy rainfall. Storm No. 10 Bualoi made landfall between Ha Tinh and northern Quang Tri late on September 28, bringing extreme rainfall across northern Vietnam and as far south as Hue. Before Vietnam could recover, Storm No. 11 Matmo formed on October 3, causing severe flooding in northern mountainous areas and Hanoi. The three consecutive storms severely impacted northern and central Vietnam, causing devastating losses to lives, property and livelihoods. The aftermath left heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides across the northern provinces, destroying homes and crops, and submerging hundreds of thousands homes in its wake. See Annex for VNRC’s response.

PHILIPPINES EARTHQUAKES & TYPHOONS

In response to the recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao, and the typhoons since late September, the SRC is launching a public fundraising appeal to support relief and recovery efforts by local partners, including the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). This is on top of the SRC’s initial SGD$50,000 contribution on 3 October 2025, to support urgent Medical needs, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Psychosocial Support activities by the PRC. The SRC also deployed 30 units of pre-positioned water filters to meet the WASH needs of affected communities in Cebu.

Since late September, the Philippines has experienced multiple natural disaster events that have impacted many areas across the country. At 9:59PM on 30 September, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Bogo city, Cebu. With a shallow depth of approximately 5km, the tremor generated destructive shaking across northern Cebu and neighbouring municipalities. On 10 October, two earthquakes struck near Manay, Davao Oriental – one of 7.4-magnitude at 9:43AM and another of 6.8-magnitude at 9:12PM, with more than 1,000 aftershocks recorded. The Philippines has also been impacted by Super Typhoon Nando, Typhoon Opong and Typhoon Paolo (known internationally as Typhoon Ragasa, Typhoon Bualoi and Typhoon Matmo respectively) since late September, with the local weather agency (PAGASA) forecasting further tropical cyclone formations that will be in the Philippine Area of Responsibility. See Annex for PRC’s response.

ANNEX: RESPONSE BY SISTER NATIONAL SOCIETIES

The Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) has since launched its first round of emergency relief to the provinces of Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, and Nghe An, providing cash support, household kits and water purification powder to those affected by Typhoon Matmo and the subsequent flooding. VNRC has also maintained 24/7 emergency operations to mobilise plans for relief items and coordinated the distribution of relief goods to affected households. Volunteers have also been mobilised to assist affected households with cleaning, repairs and restoring daily lives.

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Since late September, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has supported affected communities across the Philippines with hot food, clean water, generators, temporary shelters and psychological first aid. Following the earthquakes in Cebu and Davao respectively, the PRC also mobilised teams to meet medical needs, including providing ambulances, blood supplies, medical tents and emergency medical services (EMS) teams. Tent cities have also been built to help communities rebuild their lives. 

To support the communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Davao, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has:

• Mobilised its blood services with its humanitarian caravan
• Set up medical tents, distributed food and water
• Provided blood to hospitals and support shelter needs

Since the Cebu earthquake on 30 September, the PRC has:

• Deployed of trucks with food, water, generators and medical teams to hard-to-reach areas, such as Calayan Island
• Provided clean water and temporary shelter to those affected
• Provided Psychological First Aid and disease promotion sessions
• Installed 95 tents at the Tent City in Bogo City
• Established first aid stations and welfare desks
• Provided hot meals to the affected communities

Despite having one of the most robust preparedness systems in the Philippines, the PRC is severely overwhelmed. The PRC has been responding to multiple typhoons and storms across the country and continues to aid earthquake-affected communities while staying on high alert as new weather systems threaten other areas.