Devastating weather events across Asia in 2025
Severe storms, cyclones, floods and earthquakes devastated communities across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Millions of people lost their homes, livelihoods and access to essentials.
Your support helped provide urgent support to communities affected.
A family repairing their damaged roof after typhoon Uwan struck in the Philippines. Photo Credit, Caritas Libmanan
This appeal has now closed. Donations made to this appeal helped support immediate relief to vulnerable communities in the form of food, emergency shelter, access to safe water, hygiene support, essential items, and nutrition support.
You can still make a donation to our Emergency Response Appeal below to help communities that have been affected by disaster and conflict around the world.
The aftermath of Typhoon Uwan in the Philippines. Photo Credit, Caritas Germany
What unfolded?
The crisis deepened on 30 September when a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu Province, killing at least 76 people, injuring hundreds and displacing more than 20,000 residents. Just days later, on 3 October, Typhoon Paolo brought further flooding and destruction to already-struggling communities. The provinces of Masbate and Cebu are among the hardest hit.
In Vietnam, record-breaking October rains submerged Hoi An and Hue, leading to at least 47 deaths and 116,000 homes being flooded.
In November, Typhoon Kalmaegi resulted in 5 deaths, 1.6 million households without power, 2,600 homes damaged and 537,000 people evacuated. Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino) also affected communities in the Philippines with 188 deaths and 560,000 people displaced.
In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah caused heavy rainfall and flooding, resulting in 330 deaths. 179,868 families have been affected nationwide, with 22,212 families currently sheltered in safe centres.
In Indonesia Cyclone Senyar and Cyclone Koto caused flooding and landslides, displacing 1 million people and causing over 700 deaths.
Impact of storms in the Philippines. Image: Caritas Virac
What was the impact in the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia?
Over 1 million people
were displaced from their homes.
Hundreds of people
were killed in the storms and flooding.
Thousands of homes
were damaged.
Essential services
were disrupted.
Our partners on the ground provided vulnerable communities with:
Support to displaced families
Emergency Shelter
Access to clean water, food and essential items
Financial support for essentials and recovery
What was our response?
Affected community members in Zambales, Philippines. Photo: SAC Iba
The Philippines
Caritas Philippines and diocesan partners activated extensive emergency operations:
A national Emergency Operations Centre coordinated responses across multiple disasters.
Local EOCs across Luzon and Visayas were monitoring impacts and mobilising relief.
Temporary evacuation centres opened.
Food packs, hot meals and pre-positioned supplies were being delivered in the hardest-hit areas.
In Davao Oriental, the Diocese of Mati and the DADITAMA Humanitarian Team were distributing food packs and supporting early recovery efforts.
Vietnam
Caritas Vietnam funded relief efforts through diocesan Caritas offices in affected regions.
Emergency relief was delivered to:
Caritas HÃ TÄ©nh: Food and clean water for 900 households
Caritas Vinh: Two rounds of emergency distributions to 2,000 families
Caritas Bắc Ninh: Essential items, cash assistance and 4 tonnes of rice
Caritas Hưng Hóa: Support to bereaved families and injured persons, plus
15 tonnes of rice,
60 household kits,
125 cash grants,
Seeds and farming materials
Caritas Thanh Hóa: Relief assistance for 5,380 families
Recovery support was delivered to:
Construction and repair of hundreds of damaged homes across several dioceses
Livelihood support, including livestock, aquaculture restocking and seeds
Restoration of water systems and essential community infrastructure
Caritas staff distributing aid in Vietnam. Photo: Caritas network
Aid ready for distribution in Sri Lanka. Photo: Caritas Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Caritas Sri Lanka coordinated a nationwide emergency response through its 13 diocesan centres, operating around the clock.
Churches were opened to shelter displaced families.
Food, clean water and essential items were distributed.
Caritas teams implemented a long-term recovery plan, working alongside government and humanitarian partners to help families rebuild.
Indonesia
Caritas Indonesia and diocesan partners are responding across the worst-affected areas:
The Caritas Indonesia Director personally visited disaster zones to coordinate with teams and deliver 150 emergency food packages.
Seven medical personnel — including doctors, a psychologist and medical staff — were deployed to support injured and traumatised families.
Hygiene and cleaning support:
293 hygiene kits
274 shovels and 40 wheelbarrows for debris clearing
Food and hygiene relief:
1,317 food packages
400 hygiene kits delivered with Caritas Sibolga
Caritas Indonesia staff preparing for emergency response. Photo: Caritas Indonesia
The aftermath of Typhoon Uwan in the Philippines. Photo Credit, Caritas Germany
Where does my donation go?
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
