Living conditions in the Philippines vary widely based on region and household income. The poorest families often establish informal communities, squatting on abandoned plots of land and constructing small huts out of wood, palm fronds, fabric and scraps of tin. Because they do not own their land, these families are at constant risk of displacement, and their feeble dwellings offer little protection against the region’s frequent storms. Due to their informal nature, they also often lack access to electricity, running water and proper sanitation. As a result, health risks run high.