In 2018, climate-driven disasters were no longer rare daily life interruptions; they were becoming a defining reality for workers around the world. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, extreme weather and natural hazards affected more than 60 million people globally that year, disrupting livelihoods, housing and access to basic services. In the Philippines, one employee of a global financial institution experienced firsthand what those numbers truly meant.
“My family and I were forced to move to a different location.”
In July 2018, days of intense southwest monsoon rains, locally known as habagat, were intensified by passing tropical systems including Tropical Storm Son Tinh. An International situation report confirmed that the enhanced monsoon caused widespread flooding across Luzon and the National Capital Region. Government disaster authorities reported that more than 700,000 people were affected nationwide, with hundreds of communities submerged and tens of thousands displaced.
Bacoor City, where the employee lived, was among the local government units in Cavite Province that declared a state of calamity after prolonged flooding rendered homes unsafe.
“Our humble home was damaged back in July 2018, due to a typhoon which hit our country. The city of Bacoor was declared under a state of calamity because of the consistent heavy rains and wide site flooding,” the employee shared.
Like many families affected by disaster, they leaned first on personal strength and family support. Minor cleanup and repairs made the structure livable but the damage continued to worsen over time. “Because of this, our roof and walls or its foundation started to rip off as days go by,” the employee explained. They remained in their home until December 2018, hoping it would hold.
It didn’t. Another typhoon brought heavy rain and strong winds at the end of 2018. Weakened by months of exposure, the house could no longer withstand the impact.
“Because of the initial damage it brought to our house back in July, our home got totally wrecked.”
This experience reflected a broader workforce reality. The International Labour Organization’s 2018 World Employment and Social Outlook documented how external shocks, including disasters, increasingly disrupted workers’ ability to earn income and maintain financial stability, particularly in regions facing repeated climate events. As these disruptions became more common, company leaders began to rethink what employee well-being truly required.
“Our organization quickly recognized the significance of providing international grants to individuals and committed to necessary legal and operational framework to make it possible,” said Chief Impact Officer, Davida Rivens, of E4E Relief. “It is an essential investment in resilience, stability and the people who keep organizations moving forward.”
The global financial institutions partnership with E4E Relief in providing cash grants to individuals provided a structured and dignified way to respond when this employee faced sudden hardship. Rather than relying solely on informal support or personal debt, workers could access assistance designed specifically for disaster recovery, housing stabilization and basic needs.
For this employee, that support came at a pivotal moment.
“Currently, our financial income is not enough to do the major repairs.” Their family moved in with relatives while the employee stayed temporarily in an apartment, separated but focused on rebuilding. Upon receiving their cash grant, the employee was overwhelmed by the “kind consideration” their employer demonstrated; through compassion in action.
Twenty-five years into E4E Relief’s mission, stories like this one illuminate the impact of international grantmaking. They are a reminder that, behind every employee financial relief grant is a person navigating loss, responsibility and hope – from around the world – and that recovery is possible when employees are not left to face disaster alone.