Davao Region, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XI (DSWD FO XI) has mobilized to provide immediate assistance to families and individuals affected by severe flooding and landslides in the Davao Region, with a focus on Davao Occidental.
As of December 27, 2024, DSWD FO XI has distributed Php 541,070.00 worth of family food packs to 887 families in Malita, Davao Occidental. The relief effort is part of a coordinated response to address the urgent needs of those displaced by the calamities.
According to the latest report from the DSWD XI Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD), 739 families are currently housed in five evacuation centers, while 30 families have sought refuge with relatives or friends. The calamities have displaced a total of 769 families and caused damage to 100 homes. Across 11 barangays in the province, 2,586 families—equivalent to 10,348 individuals—have been affected by the disasters.
In addition to distributing relief supplies, the DSWD XI Quick-Response Team is actively assisting in setting up evacuation centers and ensuring that the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are met. The team is also working closely with local authorities to monitor the ongoing situation and provide updates on the welfare of affected communities.
Meanwhile, in Davao Oriental, the Provincial Disaster Team is maintaining vigilance and ensuring open lines of communication to assess the potential impact of similar natural disasters on local families.
The recent flooding and landslides were triggered by overcast skies, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms brought about by the prevailing Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over Mindanao on December 26, 2024.
The DSWD and local government units urge residents to remain alert and heed weather advisories as they continue to address the needs of the affected population. Coordination among national and local disaster response teams underscores a commitment to providing timely assistance and safeguarding vulnerable communities during this challenging period.