MINDANAO SOLIDARITY ACTION UPDATE

Earthquake Response Report | As of June 23, 2026

Following the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani on June 8, thousands of families across Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City, and Davao Occidental continue to face displacement, damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and ongoing safety risks.

Over the past two weeks, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue (MADR-SAR), together with local communities, volunteers, and partner organizations, conducted rapid assessments, distributed relief supplies, established community temporary shelters and a community aid station, provided basic medical assistance, and supported families in some of the hardest-hit communities in Glan, Sarangani.

One of the most important lessons from this deployment was the importance of building strong communication on the ground and listening before acting. Rather than immediately procuring relief supplies with our limited available resources, our team first focused on establishing communication and coordination with local actors, engaging with community members, conducting rapid assessments, and understanding their most urgent needs. Through these conversations and assessments, it became clear that safe shelter was among the highest priorities, as many families were living in fishing boats, makeshift structures, roadside areas, and other unsafe locations.

Because of this, the tarpaulins we distributed became one of the most critical forms of assistance. They provided immediate protection from rain and harsh weather, helped families establish and strengthen community temporary shelters, and offered a safer and more dignified place to rest while longer-term solutions are being developed. The recent heavy rains that struck the area further demonstrated how essential shelter support remains for affected communities.

In close coordination with affected communities, local authorities, and partner organizations, the MADR-SAR Team carried out the following key response activities during the deployment:

1. Conducted hazard and risk assessments and shared findings with the Barangay Chairman of Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani to support informed decision-making.

2. Provided safety recommendations for the residents of Purok Dungon Extension, Barangay Pangyan, based on identified hazards and community needs.

3. Facilitated coordination between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region XII, the Provincial Government of Sarangani, and the community of Purok Dungon to support the identification of safer temporary shelter locations. Throughout the response, we also coordinated the findings from our initial hazard and risk assessment with local authorities and continuously shared community updates on the development of identified hazards, particularly areas showing signs that could lead to a major landslide. Based on these assessments and ongoing monitoring, we provided safety recommendations to help guide community protection and relocation decisions.

4. Supported the establishment of community temporary shelters by providing heavy-duty tarpaulins, ropes, and improvised sleeping mats.

5. Established a community aid station that provided over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and basic health services, including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar checks, and wound care for injured residents.

6. Supported the establishment of a community kitchen by providing essential cooking supplies and food resources for community-led meal preparation.

7. Distributed essential relief items, including rice, clean drinking water, sanitary napkins, soap, blankets, medicines, and other basic necessities.

8. Provided informal psychosocial support by facilitating children’s games, conducting community conversations (kamustahan), and creating safe spaces where residents could share their experiences, concerns, and hopes.

9. Conducted popular education sessions on the Fundamentals of Resilience and facilitated community planning discussions to help residents identify priorities and collectively plan their ongoing response and recovery.

10. Organized a community-led clean-up drive through child-friendly games and activities, encouraging participation while helping restore shared community spaces.

11. Facilitated handwashing sessions for children to promote proper hygiene practices and help reduce the risk of communicable diseases in the displacement community.

Latest Situation Update (June 23, 2026)

As of 11:41 AM on June 23, local residents of Purok Dungon confirmed to our team that they had successfully relocated to a safer area following ongoing coordination among the community, local authorities, and humanitarian partners to reduce the risk posed by the potential landslide.

According to a subsequent update from one of our local volunteers in Barangay Pangyan, who coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office, the available family tents have already been exhausted. Additional tents are currently being requested from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region XII.

The latest figures from the Pangyan Central Evacuation Center are as follows:

– Purok Dungon – 60 displaced families (42 households)

– Purok Kiayay – 56 displaced families (50 households)

The successful relocation of families from Purok Dungon marks an important milestone in reducing immediate disaster risk. However, significant humanitarian needs remain. Many displaced families continue to rely on community temporary shelters and other temporary shelter solutions while awaiting additional shelter assistance. With available family tents already depleted and the threat of heavy rains and landslides persisting, sustained support for emergency shelter and community-led recovery remains urgently needed.

Special Thanks and Credits

This mission was made possible through the collective efforts of the MADR-SAR Team, Community Through Colors (CTC), Sail Relief Team (SRT), Mutual Aid Disaster Relief (USA), local volunteers, community leaders, and our partner organizations, including Blue Earth Defense Global, Samalahat Advocacy, PeaceBuilders Community Inc. (PBCI), Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), AIRLINK, READ Philippines, HIRAYA Project, Delta Fire Equipment, and Signal Station OPC.

We also extend our gratitude to the Provincial Government of Sarangani, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, local government units, and all community volunteers who worked tirelessly to support affected families.

Most importantly, we thank the people of Pangyan, Burias, and the other earthquake-affected communities who welcomed us, worked alongside us, and demonstrated extraordinary resilience, solidarity, and mutual aid throughout this response.

We are still raising funds to support ongoing relief operations, community temporary shelters, emergency shelter assistance, and community-led recovery efforts for affected families across Mindanao.

Together, we prove that communities are not helpless victims—they are active agents of resilience, recovery, and mutual aid.

Mabuhay ang kultura ng bahaginan at kapwa-tulungan!

Long live the culture of sharing, solidarity, and mutual aid.