Prudence Foundation and UNICEF Philippines partner to protect children from climate-related health risks

Prudence Foundation and UNICEF Philippines launched their partnership through the REACH programme to help protect children and communities from climate-related health risks.
In photo (from left): Carmen Gonzalez Ortiz, Chief of Private Sector Fundraising, UNICEF Philippines; Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative to the Philippines; Sanjay Chakrabarty, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pru Life UK; Atty. Calvin Kohchet-Chua, Chief Legal, Government Relations, and Sustainability Officer, Pru Life UK; and Ai Yoon Soo, Senior Manager for Climate and Health Resilience, Prudence Foundation.

Taguig City, Philippines, 2026 – Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, and UNICEF Philippines have launched a new partnership to help protect children and communities in the Philippines from the growing health impacts of climate change.

Through the REACH programme, the collaboration aims to strengthen health and social protection systems so they can better respond to climate-related risks such as extreme heat and air pollution that disproportionately affect children.

REACH, which stands for Resilience, Environment, and Child Health – Strengthening Health and Social Protection Systems in the Philippines, will support efforts to develop climate-adaptive primary health care systems, strengthen preparedness and response to heat stress and air pollution, and enhance shock-responsive social protection mechanisms for vulnerable families.

The programme will be implemented by UNICEF Philippines in partnership with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Climate Change Commission, and local government units in Metro Manila and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

With support from Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, and Pru Life UK, the programme highlights the importance of strengthening resilience for children and communities faced with increasing frequency and intensity of climate risks.

“As the community investment arm of Prudential plc, Prudence Foundation focuses on building climate and health resilience through long‑term, collaborative solutions. Our partnership with UNICEF Philippines under the REACH programme reflects this commitment, supporting stronger health and social protection systems to better protect children from climate‑related health risks,” said Nicole Ngeow, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

Sanjay Chakrabarty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pru Life UK, said:

“Climate change is increasingly affecting the health and wellbeing of children and communities across the Philippines. Through the REACH programme, we are supporting efforts to strengthen systems that protect children from climate-related health risks such as extreme heat and air pollution. By working with UNICEF and government partners, we hope to help build stronger and more resilient health and social protection systems that can better safeguard children today, and in the future,” added Chakrabarty.

Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, highlighted the partnership’s significance in addressing the stakes for children:

 “For children whose bodies are still growing, climate change can quickly become a health emergency. Protecting them requires climate‑adaptive, shock‑responsive systems, and strong partnerships. Through REACH, our work with the Prudence Foundation shows how government, civil society, young people, and the private sector can deliver solutions where they matter most. UNICEF mobilises private sector partners as advocates for child rights and responsible business, helping build a more resilient future for every child in the Philippines.”

Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental and climate-related health risks due to their unique needs and reliance on healthcare systems, clean air, and safe environments. Strengthening these systems will help ensure that communities are better prepared to respond to climate-related shocks and protect children’s health and wellbeing.

                                                    ###

About Prudence Foundation

Resilient Communities, Today and Tomorrow

 

Established in 2011 in Hong Kong, Prudence Foundation is the community investment and philanthropic arm of Prudential plc.

 

The Foundation builds financial wellbeing, and climate and health resilience for underserved Asian and African communities. We are committed to sustainable, long-term solutions that empower individuals and communities to make informed financial decisions, access affordable financial products, as well as be more prepared and protected against climate-related health risks. We actively engage in public-private partnerships, collaborate with governments, NGOs, communities and other private sector entities to build collective efforts for lasting change. To date, our programmes are implemented across 16 markets in Asia and Africa, reaching millions of people.

For more information: www.prudencefoundation.com

 

About UNICEF Philippines

UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.  

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in the Philippines, visit www.unicef.ph.  

Visit UNICEF’s data for children portal, Situation of Children of the Philippines (www.situationofchildren.org/ph). 

Follow UNICEF Philippines on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

About Pru Life UK

Pru Life UK is the leading life insurer in the Philippines demonstrating its commitment to protect Filipinos’ financial future and well-being for every life, for every future.  Established in 1996, Pru Life UK operates in over 200 branches and general agency offices in the Philippines, and holds the largest life insurance agency force of over to 35,000 licensed agents. 

  

Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc, with a legacy of more than 175 years of safeguarding the future of millions of families for this generation and generations to come.   

Pru Life UK is headquartered in 9/F Uptown Place Tower 1,1 East 11th Drive, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila, Philippines. Its main customer center is located in G/F Cluster 2, Uptown Parade, Megaworld Blvd. corner 36th street Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila, Philippines. Its customer center contact details are: +63 (2) 88875433 (within Metro Manila) and 1-800-107785465 (for domestic toll-free via PLDT landline), email: contact.us@prulifeuk.com.ph. Pru Life UK is legally permitted to provide financial products or services in the Philippines as regulated by the Insurance Commission.