More than 2 million people impacted as Super Typhoon Goni sweeps across the Philippines

Published: 2nd November 2020

Oxfam is working with local partners and coordinating with local governments in the Philippines to assess the damage and needs of affected communities following Super Typhoon Rolly's (Goni) four landfalls yesterday and early this morning.

At least two million people or 400,000 families have been affected, with thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, and at least 10 people killed, according to the latest government figures. The intense storm also caused major damage to crops, with an estimated 20,000 farmers impacted.

The world’s strongest typhoon this year has now passed through the Philippines and weakened after hitting the densely populated capital, Manila, early this morning.

Goni Typhone

As Typhoon Rolly hit the Philippines, thousands of homes have been destroyed impacting 2 million people. Photo Credit: Star Prior/November 2020

Oxfam Philippines’ Humanitarian Lead Rhoda Avila said: “We have experienced terrible wind speeds, lashing rains and devastating flooding. Buildings have been destroyed and whole villages are under water and mudflows.

“We will be conducting assessments of affected areas with our partners as soon as we can get access, but conditions are very difficult. Roads are flooded and power is down in many areas making communications with some parts impossible.

“We also have to work with the threat of COVID-19 transmission in mind to protect both our emergency response teams and the people they are helping.”

Oxfam has been trialling a new disaster relief system in various parts of the country. B-READY identifies vulnerable people in several communities who are likely to be affected when a typhoon sweeps through their community. Once the exact path of the typhoon is confirmed, cash transfers to those people are then triggered to enable them to prepare by securing their properties and ensuring they have enough provisions to get through the first few days. 

Oxfam is working with local partners Humanitarian Response Consortium, Aksyon sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima (AKKMA) and Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), and People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN).

Super Typhoon Goni (known locally as Rolly) is the Philippines' 18th tropical cyclone for 2020.

 Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Siony is expected to make landfall in Cagayan Valley (in the northeast of the island of Luzon) later this week, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA. Cagayan Valley is the same area ravaged by Mangkhut, a powerful super typhoon, in September 2018, the strongest storm that year.

An average of 20 tropical cyclones form within or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year. Goni is the third consecutive typhoon in two weeks.

Notes to editors

* Latest figures source is Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration - Last updated 2 Nov 8am GMT.

* Oxfam has been working in the Philippines for more than 30 years, together with 15 partners, we have reached over 105,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable people in 6 provinces across the country, with life-saving assistance including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we have provided food and cash assistance, as well as clean water and sanitation to communities affected by crises.

Contact information

Spokespersons are available.  To arrange for interviews please contact:

In the Philippines: Patricia Miranda | Policy Advocacy and Communications Manager, Oxfam Philippines | WhatsApp +639202814009 |  PMiranda@oxfam.org.uk

In the UK: Tania Corbett | Press Officer  | +44 7824 824 359 | tcorbett1@oxfam.org.uk

in AustraliaLily Partland | Senior Media Coordinator M: +61 418 118 687 |  lilyp@oxfam.org.au

For updates, please follow @Oxfam 

Please support Oxfam's Coronavirus Response Appeal.