World Vision Philippines continues to provide urgent assistance to children and families affected by the recent series of strong earthquakes that struck the Cebu and Davao regions over the past two weeks.

These earthquakes displaced over 354,000 people, damaged more than 97,000 houses, and prompted at least 278 municipalities and cities to suspend classes due to safety concerns.

World Vision activated its rapid assessment teams immediately after the disaster, working in close coordination with national and local government units, as well as humanitarian response clusters, to identify priority needs and deploy critical resources.

In Cebu, emergency relief operations reached 7,820 individuals (1,692 families) in three municipalities, 33 barangays, and two evacuation centers; four-thousand emergency relief kits were distributed to affected families; 212 children in child-friendly spaces were provided emotional recovery support; shelter and protection kits were delivered to 975 individuals (227 families); and 704 families received food aid.

Ongoing support includes WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), education, and psychosocial recovery.

In Davao, rapid assessments were conducted in the hardest-hit municipalities of Manay, Tarragona, Caraga, Baganga, and Gov. Generoso in Davao Oriental.

World Vision collaborated with local and provincial governments and humanitarian partners and initial findings recommend multi-sectoral interventions, such as shelter kits, food packs, medicines, clean water and sanitation support, school safety materials and repairs, and establishment of child-friendly spaces.

The group appealed for prayers and support from individuals, donors, and partners to sustain its relief operations and reach more children and their families affected by the earthquakes.

“Our teams are on the ground delivering life-saving aid – clean water, temporary shelter, hygiene kit, and child-friendly spaces to provide crucial psychosocial support for traumatized children,” said Dr. Herbert Carpio, World Vision Philippines national director.

“We recognize the long road to recovery ahead and are committed to helping these communities rebuild, but we cannot do it alone. We urgently appeal to the public and our partners to provide their compassionate support now to help us reach more vulnerable children and families.”