When Disasters Become the New Normal, Children Need Resilience

By Dr. Herbert Carpio, MD
National Director, World Vision Philippines

In many parts of the Philippines today, children no longer ask if a disaster will come. They ask when.

Stronger typhoons, flooding, drought, and extreme heat are becoming part of daily life. At the same time, environmental degradation is making these risks even worse. Forest loss, polluted waterways, and unsustainable land use are increasing the severity of disasters while weakening communities’ ability to cope.

For millions of Filipino children, this is no longer a future threat. It is their reality.

When disasters strike, schools close, families lose livelihoods, and access to food and clean water becomes uncertain. Flooding exposes children to disease, while drought undermines nutrition and health. Repeated crises also create instability and stress that affect children’s development and well‑being.

“For many children, climate change and environmental decline are daily disruptions to their safety, education, and well‑being.”

These challenges are deeply interconnected. Environmental sustainability, climate action, and disaster risk reduction must go hand in hand if children are to be protected.

At World Vision Philippines, our focus is on building resilience before disasters happen, while addressing the environmental conditions that increase risks. Children are often the most affected in times of crisis. Flooded schools interrupt learning. Displacement weakens protection systems. Climate and environmental pressures also deepen poverty, increasing children’s vulnerability.

“Resilience must be measured not only by what we rebuild after disasters, but by how well we protect children before they happen.”

Through community‑based disaster risk reduction, communities identify hazards, strengthen early warning systems, and prepare for emergencies. These efforts help ensure that children are protected not only during disasters, but before and after them as well.

Environmental sustainability plays a critical role in reducing risk. Healthy ecosystems, such as forests, watersheds, and mangroves, help regulate water, reduce flooding, and support livelihoods. When these systems are degraded, disasters become more severe and recovery more difficult.

Through Regreening Communities, World Vision supports the restoration of these natural systems. Communities work together to plant trees, protect watersheds, and improve their local environment, strengthening both livelihoods and disaster resilience.

“Protecting the environment is one of the most effective ways to protect children from disasters and climate risks.”

We also support families through climate‑resilient livelihoods and community food production, helping ensure that children continue to have access to food even during climate shocks.

Importantly, children are not just beneficiaries of this work. They are active participants in building resilience. Through disaster preparedness and environmental action, children learn to identify risks, promote safe practices, and care for their communities.

“Children are not only vulnerable to climate and disaster risks. They can also be powerful agents of change.”

As disasters become more frequent, the need for integrated action is clear. Protecting children requires sustained investment in environmental sustainability, climate action, and disaster preparedness.

“The climate crisis is already shaping the childhood of millions of Filipino children. We must act today to ensure that every child can grow up safe, healthy, and hopeful about their future.”