The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Philippines has activated its National Emergency Management Plan and deployed assessment teams to Southern Mindanao following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck offshore near Maasim, Sarangani, on June 8.

According to ADRA’s latest situation report, the earthquake has claimed at least 34 lives, left 12 people missing, and affected more than 86,000 individuals across 56 barangays in regions IX, XI, and XII. More than 5,000 families remain in evacuation centers as government agencies and humanitarian organizations continue rescue, relief, and recovery efforts.

The earthquake, described as the strongest to hit the Philippines since 1990, generated destructive ground shaking throughout South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City, the Davao Region, and neighboring provinces. General Santos City recorded Intensity VII, while widespread evacuations were ordered in coastal communities following initial tsunami warnings.

ADRA Philippines immediately activated its Emergency Management Unit and began coordinating with Adventist Community Services leaders, local church networks, and volunteers throughout Southern Mindanao to gather field-level information and identify priority humanitarian needs.

“Emergency response personnel and standby teams are currently being prepared for possible deployment depending on validated assessment findings, access conditions, and identified humanitarian priorities,” said Karl Morta, ADRA Emergency Response Coordinator. Planned interventions may include emergency relief distribution, shelter assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene support, cash and voucher assistance, and psychosocial care for affected families.

The report identified emergency shelter, food security, clean water, sanitation services, and protection for vulnerable groups as among the most urgent humanitarian concerns. Thousands of displaced residents continue to seek refuge in evacuation centers or with relatives and friends while authorities assess damage to homes, schools, roads, bridges, and public facilities.

ADRA is also leveraging its disaster-ready church initiative, which equips local congregations and volunteers to assist with emergency preparedness, information sharing, volunteer mobilization, and community-based response activities. Church members across the region have begun organizing prayer and support initiatives for affected communities as recovery efforts continue.

To support the response, local Adventist church entities have committed counterpart funding for immediate relief efforts, while the Southern Asia-Pacific Division has begun encouraging donations to assist affected families through ADRA-led response mechanisms. Additionally, ADRA’s National Emergency Management Plan has approved an initial emergency allocation of US$50,000, with the possibility of further funding as assessments continue.

To support ongoing response efforts, ADRA Philippines is inviting individuals, churches, and organizations to assist affected families through financial contributions. Donations will help provide emergency relief supplies, shelter assistance, clean water, hygiene kits, and other essential humanitarian needs identified through ongoing assessments.

ADRA officials expressed gratitude for the continued support and prayers of church members and partners as assessment teams work to identify the most urgent needs and deliver assistance to affected communities across Southern Mindanao.

Government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and community volunteers remain engaged in search-and-rescue operations while assessments continue throughout the affected provinces. ADRA officials said additional updates will be released as more information becomes available and response operations expand.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.