WASH in Emergencies

Norhaimin Omar, a youth MMH champion, teaches students the importance of cleanliness in Dar Al-Ziker Holy Qur'an Memorization Center at Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. (Photo: Princess Taroza/Oxfam)

Stories of Health Champions: No One Gets Left Behind

Norhaimin's barangay, a conflict-affected area in Shariff Saydona Mustapha (SSM), Maguindanao, does not have access to hygiene facilities, such as handwashing and comfort rooms. It is a designated evacuation area for families caught in between war among armed groups

Ibrahim Mantikayan, one of the MMH champions, takes care of his two-year-old son, Datu Nursalam Mantikayan at Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao. (Photo: Princess Taroza/Oxfam)

Stories of Health Champions: All Genders in Care Work

When Ibrahim's wife sought work opportunities abroad, he carried the challenges of being the primary caretaker of his two-year-old son, Datu Nursalam, alongside with doing most household chores such as doing the laundry, meal preparation, and washing the dishes.

Jehana Pagabangan, one of the Mum's Magic Hands (MMH) champions, teaches Mamami Piang the proper handwashing in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao. (Photo: Princess Tarroza/Oxfam)

Stories of Health Champions: Health is the Priority

Gloria, 19, is processing her passport and work papers in Metro Manila when the Philippine Government declared a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a young age, she seeks work opportunities abroad to support her two-year-old son and her parents.

A SEASON FILLED WITH HOPE, CARE, AND REFLECTION

In the Philippines, Oxfam, together with our local partners, are providing immediate aid and support to the most affected communities in areas affected by Covid-19 in Eastern Samar, armed conflict in Mindanao, and the succession of destructive typhoons in October and November 2020 that battered...

Esni Haya, pictured here holding her four-month-old baby, has been living in the Sarimanok Evacuation Center for more than two years since the Marawi Siege. She shared with us her experiences of displacement; the challenges evacuees face in accessing WASH and other basic facilities; and her dreams of homecoming. Oxfam led the initial case study research in the three major island groups of the Philippines to co-create a shared understanding of context-specific issues that must be included in policy developme

Oxfam-developed WASH policy draft approved by the Philippine Department of Health

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order 2020-0032, entitled "National Policy on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergencies and Disasters", in July 2020. Once fully implemented, local health offices and local government units will be better...