Manila, Philippines, June 8, 2026 -- Our hearts are with every family in Mindanao and across the broader region waking up to fear and loss this morning. When a disaster of this scale strikes, the first concern is always the same: saving lives and keeping people safe.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province in the southern Philippines early today, leaving at least fifteen people dead and injuring 129 others, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Shaking was felt across five regions - from SOCCSKSARGEN and the Davao Region to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and as far as Eastern Visayas - with the strongest intensities recorded in Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Davao Occidental. The earthquake also triggered tsunami warnings across nine coastal provinces, prompting immediate evacuations.
CARE Philippines Country Director, Reiza S. Dejito said:
"When emergencies like this strike, the most urgent concern is loss of life. The situation is still evolving, and the full scale of the impact is not yet known. Strong aftershocks continue to be reported, and commercial buildings have collapsed in hard-hit areas. Coastal communities in fragile housing face the greatest risk from tsunami surges, while disrupted access to water, health services, and shelter deepens the vulnerability of those already living on the margins. We urge everyone in affected areas to stay alert and follow the guidance of local authorities.
"CARE Philippines, together with partners in the EU Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project and the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP), is coordinating with local governments and disaster risk reduction authorities to assess needs and stand ready to support communities as the situation develops. We are committed to making sure that assistance reaches those who need it most - quickly, safely, and with dignity.
"For years, the Philippines has been ranked as the most disaster-prone country in the world, according to the World Risk Index. Over the last year alone, our country has been hit by multiple strong typhoons and high magnitude earthquakes. In late 2025, back-to-back earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental affected nearly 2.3 million people. CARE and its partners have responded to both, and communities have shown remarkable resilience in rebuilding their lives. Yet many families are still transitioning out of temporary shelters, and the psychological toll of repeated disasters is real and ongoing.
"We know from these experiences that every time disasters occur, the hardest hit are women and girls. They face complex, compounding risks long after the ground stops shaking - in their homes, in their health, and in their ability to recover. CARE is committed to ensuring that assistance reaches the right people, at the right time with the right resources.”
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