On the night of September 30, a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines of the coast of Cebu Island, the deadliest to hit the country in over a decade. Days later, the number of lives lost is still unknown, and hospitals are overwhelmed as people have come together to sift through mud and rubble, searching for signs of life. The scale of destruction is staggering, with about 18,000 homes destroyed and 450,000 people affected across Cebu Island and 38 schools damaged in Bogo City.
At the time of the earthquake, our teams were already in the Philippines, building resilient & sustainable classrooms on Catanduanes Island. This ongoing presence enabled us to respond immediately when disaster struck. But reaching the affected communities was anything but simple.
Driving north out of Cebu City, the devastation quickly becomes undeniable. Entire families line the roadside under makeshift shelters, holding cardboard signs that read “We need food” and “We need water.” Even hours away from the epicenter in Bogo City, massive boulders and landslides block the roads, deep cracks split the pavement, and whole sections are nearly impassable. Many communities remain cut off, and reaching them takes time and effort.
All Hands & Hearts Delivers Urgent Relief
Together with Streetlight, our long-term, in-country partner, we’re now delivering urgent relief. We purchased and flew in six generators, powerful enough to supply electricity for small shelters and community hubs. Within hours of arriving in Bogo City, our team registered with the local command center to coordinate efforts and identify the most vulnerable communities.
The first delivery of aid – two generators with fuel and extension cords supporting more than 220 households – took place on Saturday in Polambato Barangay, a housing community originally built for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Many residents had lived there for over a decade, but this week’s earthquake caused widespread structural damage, and the community was told they would once again be displaced. When our team arrived, many families were sleeping in tents or under tarps just outside their homes.
Family and hygiene products have also been purchased and are ready for distribution in the coming days, with the aim of reaching 4,000 households.
Make a Difference
The road ahead is difficult, but the resilience of the communities we’ve met is even stronger. With your support, we’re bringing light, relief and dignity to families in Cebu.
Thank you for standing with communities in their greatest time of need.
