A CHARITY in Truro has supported families in the Philippines to recover after a series of powerful typhoons and earthquakes left tens of thousands of people without homes.

ShelterBox completed overlapping emergency responses following Typhoon Bualoi, which struck just hours after the strongest global storm of 2025. Days later, the deadliest earthquake in over a decade hit Cebu, which was followed by Typhoon Kalmaegi.

The International disaster relief charity has responded in the Philippines more than 35 times, working with local partners to support people most in need. It has a permanent team in Cebu and a warehouse stocked with essential items like shelter repair kits, solar lights, mosquito nets, blankets, and hurricane strapping.

ShelterBox and local partner FACE Inc supported thousands of people on Masbate Island whose homes were destroyed by Typhoon Bualoi.

Tita, 66, was one of many residents evacuated. She said: “The sea is very calm but around 3am onwards it’s getting stronger. I don’t know what to do. We thought, if there was water, maybe we would die. Good thing it’s low tide. It was really scary. When we get home the roofs are gone.”

Jonard, 37, said: “Everything was blown away by the wind. When we returned all of our belongings were wet and we had no roof.”

Jinky, 29, said: “It was depressing because when I saw our house it was ruined. You can’t sleep there anymore. At that time we were in the evacuation centre and when we returned home, we had nowhere to live.”

People received cash assistance, solar lights, and hurricane strapping to strengthen homes.

Melinda Marie Buensuceso, the programme manager at ShelterBox operations Philippines, said: “Working this way means families have the flexibility to choose what works best for them, whether it’s buying corrugated iron or tarpaulins, or hiring help to rebuild.

“Hurricane strapping might look simple, but it’s incredibly effective and affordable. For just a few pounds, these straps can make a huge difference in keeping roofs secure during high winds. It’s a small item that saves homes and lives.”

ShelterBox teams responded at the same time to the earthquake in Cebu. Thousands of people received shelter repair kits and essential items. Families relocating from no-build zones were supported with corrugated iron sheets, hurricane strapping, and cash to help hire skilled labour for transitional shelters.

Typhoon Kalmaegi impacted people already affected by the earthquake.

ShelterBox supported 5,000 people with tarpaulins and tool kits to make urgent repairs and keep homes watertight. Distributions were led by the Rotary Club of Cebu, with support from Rotary District 3860, ShelterBox, and local Rotaractors and Interactors.

Melinda added: “We were able to respond to three disasters simultaneously because of our supporters who, with every donation, make sure our warehouses are fully stocked and ready for the next emergency ahead of time. It’s a matter of when, not if, the next disaster will hit – so being ready is vital.”

ShelterBox has supported more than three million people across around 100 countries with shelter and essential items since its founding in 2000. The charity is currently supporting displaced communities in some of the world’s most overlooked crises, including Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Somalia.