Earthquake-affected families in Visayas face new hardships as Typhoon Kalmaegi strikes 

As Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name Tino) lashes across the Visayas with strong winds and heavy rains, World Vision staff in the region report worsening conditions for families still reeling from last month’s earthquake. 

“Families still living in tents after the quake have now evacuated to the gym for safety due to heavy rains. Their fear is multiplied by the continuing aftershocks,” said Josephine Solon, World Vision Program Manager for Visayas. 

In Cebu and Eastern Visayas, thousands of people have moved to evacuation centers as Kalmaegi batters central Philippines with wind speeds of up to 150 km/h and gusts reaching 205 km/h. Many of them are children and families who have not yet recovered from previous disasters. 

“We’re holding on to God to keep us safe” 

In Tabogon, northern Cebu, one of the areas severely affected by the recent quake, families who had been sheltering in makeshift tents were forced to evacuate again as the typhoon approached. 

“We evacuated to the school and left our tents. But we’re still worried some schools were damaged by the earthquake and are still being assessed. We’re holding on to God to keep us safe,” shared Christina, 35, a community leader in a World Vision-assisted area. 

The relentless rain and strong winds have also caused widespread flooding in Cebu City and neighboring provinces. 

“Floodwaters are now neck-deep outside our house here in Cebu City. Families with children have already evacuated. This is worse than last time. I’m praying everyone stays safe, especially the children and their families and the rain stops soon,” Solon added. 

Despite personal risks, World Vision staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with local partners to ensure the safety of children and families in affected communities. 

In Eastern Samar, Rosalie Baje, a World Vision staff member, described the situation: “We have no electricity as of now here in Balangiga. We are experiencing moderate to strong winds.” 

According to Bondix Calapan, World Vision’s Operations Manager for Visayas, the organization plans to conduct a rapid assessment in heavily affected areas as soon as the weather allows. 

Situation overview 

Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name: Tino) made landfall around early morning of November 4 in Silago, Southern Leyte, then moved across the Visayas region with sustained winds up to 150 km/h and gusts of ~185 km/h. 

The storm brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and destructive winds across the Visayas, parts of Mindanao (CARAGA and Northern Mindanao), and Southern Luzon, and is the 20th tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines this year. 

Fast Facts (as of 6AM of November 5, 2025)

• At least 52 deaths (for validation), 13 missing, and 10 injured have been reported.
• A total of 706,549 persons affected (203,595 families) across 7 Regions, 24 Provinces, 241 Cities/Municipalities and 2,799 Barangays. 
• The Department of Education (DepEd) reports that over 9.18 million learners and 411,238 education personnel have been affected. 22,658 public schools suspended classes, with 522 schools now serving as evacuation centers. 
• 53 cities and municipalities declared under State of Calamity.
• Floodwaters submerged homes and vehicles, and residents were trapped on rooftops as flights and ferry services were suspended.  
• Landslides and floods have blocked major roads, including in Cebu City, Talisay, and parts of the Transcentral Highway. Power interruptions continue and mobile signal remains a challenge.  

Local officials cite urgent needs for clean water and food supplies, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling for more volunteers to help produce food packs. 

World Vision is on the ground

World Vision is on the ground assessing the impacts and coordinating with local authorities and partners to determine life saving support needed by the affected children, families and communities. 

Since October 2025, World Vision has been providing relief aid to three municipalities, 33 barangays, and two evacuation centers in the province of Cebu, reaching over 8,297 individuals (2,464 families) affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

World Vision operates 14 Area Programs across the Visayas, supporting approximately 23,737 registered children and their families. These programs are supported by World Vision offices in the Philippines, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. 

“Typhoon Kalmaegi is a serious threat, but World Vision Philippines remains steadfast in our commitment to serve the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Herbert Carpio, National Director of World Vision Philippines. “We appeal to all communities to stay vigilant and prioritize safety. The lives of children and your families are invaluable—please do everything to stay safe.” 

“The most vulnerable children and families are being battered time and again by increasingly powerful and frequent storms,” said Solon. “Our hope is that they can recover soon and rebuild their lives in safety.”