After the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has extended crucial support to affected families, helping communities recover from the disaster.

In a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Japanese government’s aid arm said the assistance was carried out in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to which it has formally turned over the relief items.

According to JICA, the assistance package includes 250 tents, 1,500 sleeping pads, 25 plastic sheets, 250 portable jerry cans, 1,500 blankets, and five water purifiers to provide comfort and relief to families staying in evacuation centers and temporary shelters.

The earthquake, which struck off the coast of Bogo City on Sept. 30, resulted in 75 fatalities, injured nearly 600 individuals, and displaced thousands of families from their homes.

In response, the DSWD has distributed over 225,000 family food packs and deployed modular tents and mobile kitchens to assist affected communities.

“JICA’s donation complements these government efforts by helping ease their situation and protect the health and dignity of those displaced by the earthquake,” the statement added.

“More than an act of emergency relief, this initiative is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to support the development of the Filipino people,” said JICA Philippines chief representative Takashi Baba.

“The loss of lives and the displacement of thousands of families is truly heartbreaking. Cebu, as a vital hub of culture, economy, and connectivity in the Philippines, plays a crucial role in the country’s development. Its recovery is essential for the nation as a whole,” he added.

Baba also emphasized that these supplies are meant to meet the needs of affected families and help restore their sense of safety and dignity during this difficult time.

“JICA has a long history of standing with the Filipino people in times of crisis. Since the Luzon earthquake in Baguio in 1990, JICA has consistently provided emergency relief through its Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) operations. These include responses to major disasters such as the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013, Typhoon ‘Odette’ in 2021, the North Luzon earthquake in 2022, and the oil spill disaster off the coast of Mindoro Island in 2023. Each time, Japan has acted swiftly to demonstrate our solidarity and friendship,” he said.

Baba stressed that the Philippines and Japan are both disaster-prone nations, and their shared vulnerability has forged a natural partnership.

“Beyond emergency relief, JICA continues to work closely with Philippine counterparts in disaster risk reduction, capacity development, and resilient infrastructure improvement,” Baba added.

Baba stated that the initiative goes beyond emergency relief, serving as a symbol of Japan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the development of the Filipino people, emphasizing that Japan will always stand by the Philippines in times of need.

(Ricardo M. Austria)