The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) appeals for donations for its Bayanihan Relief and Rehabilitation Program to provide immediate support for communities affected by the recent disasters in the Philippines and the United States.
On January 08, 2025, wildfires ravaged through areas north of Altadena-Pasadena, Pacific Palisades neighborhood, and San Fernando Valley fueled by the Santa Ana winds, with tens of thousands needing to evacuate and at least 24 confirmed who had died trying to escape. Officials stated that about 130,000 residents were given orders to evacuate, and more than 12,000 structures were destroyed.
Expected Economic Impacts
- Expected damages and expected losses to add up to $150 billion with a predicted 10 year recovery ahead
- Los Angeles County is the most populated county in the United States, with an estimated population of 9,663,345. The county’s population is larger than 40 states. This disaster can have rippling economic impacts across California and the U.S.
- The massive wildfires in Los Angeles will worsen the region’s housing affordability crisis through higher rents and challenges with insurance, contracting and permitting among others.
Impacts on Filipinos
- There are nearly 350,000 Filipinos in Los Angeles County, and thousands had to temporarily evacuate at the height of the fires.
- Hundreds of Filipino families have lost their homes due to the fires, and many are evacuated to other parts of Southern California, and or fundraising to help rebuild their lives.
- There are reports of Filipino workers and caregivers who’ve helped their patients evacuate during the crisis. Many lost income due to facilities burning down in affected areas, or their patients are evacuated somewhere else.
- Even before the fires, Filipino tenants faced housing insecurity, and with the housing crisis expected to intensify in the coming months, many will continue to struggle with the burden of unaffordable and inadequate housing.
Apply for Emergency Services Fund
Have you been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires? If you’re an essential worker—such as a caregiver, retail worker, or fast food worker—and your workplace has been directly impacted, or you’ve lost wages due to evacuation orders, we’re here to help. Apply now for support.
Application link: tinyurl.com/fmc-esf2025
January 12 – Zoom Briefing: Zoom recording
Community Partners
We encourage our community to come together to provide immediate & long term support to address impacted areas and provide immediate relief. NAFCON is currently building a rapid response network for the Los Angeles wildfire and we invite you to get involved in our Bayanihan Disaster Response campaign that allows us to take on rehabilitation and advocacy needed when the wildfires are contained.
