Already burdened by financial struggles, families in Bato, Camarines Sur faced even greater challenges when Super Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami) struck.
Among them were Beverly and Mylene, two mothers whose lives were deeply affected by the flash floods and relentless rains that swept through their community in November. Their homes, like many others in the area, were not built to withstand such a powerful typhoon.
But for Beverly and Mylene, the disaster was more than just the loss of shelter or belongings—it was the added struggle of caring for their children with disabilities during this difficult time.
“The water was rising so fast. I kept thinking, how will I evacuate with my child who can’t walk?” Beverly recalled.
For Beverly, survival meant more than getting through the typhoon—it meant doing everything she could to protect the most vulnerable member of her family when help seemed far away.\
“I was carrying my child while we were watching the floodwaters rise outside. We decided to go up because we were afraid the water might reach us,” Beverly said.
In the days that followed, both mothers faced the overwhelming task of going back to their normal lives—with limited resources, no stable income, and children who required constant care and attention.
Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable during emergencies, yet they are often overlooked in disaster risk reduction and response plans.
Accessing basic needs like clean water, food, and medication became even harder for Beverly in the aftermath of the storm, especially in evacuation centers that were not designed to accommodate children with disabilities.
“It’s very difficult because my child can’t feed himself, can’t sit up, he’s always lying down. I have to feed him, give him water. He doesn’t know how to hold anything. It’s hard for a mother to care for a child like that,” Beverly said.
Mylene’s son, Mark* (not his real name), 13, can understand instructions, feed himself, and walk short distances, but caring for him during and after the typhoon was still a major challenge.
“Even though he can walk, I couldn’t leave him alone. I always have to keep an eye on him,” Mylene shared.
With other young children to care for, she had to divide Mark’s attention, making sure each child was safe and had what they needed in the crowded, noisy evacuation center.
“There were moments when I didn’t know which child to attend to first,” she added.
After nearly two weeks in the evacuation center, both Beverly and Mylene felt uncertain about how to begin rebuilding their lives when they finally returned to their homes.
Both shared that the experience was overwhelming as they didn’t know where to start, especially with their house damaged and no money for repairs.
Despite everything, Mylene had to find a way to care for Mark and her other children and start over.
"I kept thinking, how are we going to get through this? I told myself, we can recover our belongings, but as long as we’re all safe, that’s all that matters," she said.
In February, 661 households in Bato, Camarines Sur who were heavily affected by Kristine received P5,000 worth of multi-purpose cash assistance from Save the Children Philippines. This support aimed to help families begin rebuilding their lives and recover from the devastation caused by the disaster.
STRONG BOND. Beverly carries her son Justin* (not his real name), 14, who lives with cerebral palsy, in their home. Jet Ines / Save the Children
For Beverly, the support came at a time when she felt most helpless. With her child unable to sit or feed on his own, she used the money to buy medicine, diapers, and food.
“It was a lifeline not just for me, but for my child who depends on me for everything,” Beverly shared.
For Mylene, the cash assistance allowed her to focus on the well-being of Mark and her other children.
Being able to buy essential items like food and medicine meant she didn’t have to choose between their basic needs during their recovery.
It also gave her breathing space to care for her child with a disability without the added burden of worrying about where their next meal would come from.
“I bought him fried chicken and spaghetti because that was really his wish,” Mylene added.
“It was a lifeline not just for me, but for my child who depends on me for everything,” Beverly shared.
For Mylene, the cash assistance allowed her to focus on the well-being of Mark and her other children.
WITH CARE. Mylene supports her son Mark* (not his real name) during a meal at their home. Jet Ines / Save the Children
Being able to buy essential items like food and medicine meant she didn’t have to choose between their basic needs during their recovery.
It also gave her breathing space to care for her child with a disability without the added burden of worrying about where their next meal would come from.
“I bought him fried chicken and spaghetti because that was really his wish,” Mylene added.
“It helped us meet our needs because life is really hard right now. My husband doesn’t have a job, no permanent work, so the support from Save the Children was a big help to us,” Beverly said.