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Stamford, Conn. – June 9, 2026 – Americares is responding to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines Monday morning, collapsing buildings, disrupting the first day of school for millions of children and prompting tsunami alerts throughout the region.
News outlets are reporting more than 30 people died and more than 200 were injured when the earthquake struck just after 7:30 am local time. Search and rescue efforts continue in the region, with more than 100 aftershocks recorded. Initial reports indicate homes, government buildings, hospitals and schools have been damaged, with power outages and damaged roads and bridges hindering access to some communities. The quake triggered tsunami alerts and coastal evacuations across nine provinces, which have since been lifted. Classes have been suspended at more than 6,200 public and private schools pending safety assessments.
Americares Philippines volunteers in Mindanao are already enroute to the impact zone and staff based in Cebu and Manila will follow in the coming days. The global health and disaster relief organization is readying hygiene kits, water containers and a portable water filtration system to support survivors. The response team also plans to provide mental health support in affected communities, including psychological first aid.
“Americares is ready to support the most immediate needs to ensure survivors have access to the resources they need,” said Americares Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs Provash Budden. “This latest earthquake adds to the challenges faced by families across the Philippines, where repeated disasters have tested the resilience of communities over the past year.”
The latest earthquake follows a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu province in September. Americares deployed a team of 14 emergency response experts based in the Philippines to deliver tents and medicine and provide psychological first aid to survivors. At the same time, the Philippines was also experiencing back-to-back typhoons. Two more earthquakes off the coast of Mindanao—a 7.4 magnitude and a 6.7 magnitude—followed in October. In response, Americares Philippines provided mental health support, hygiene kits, water containers and tarps, among other support.
Since 1990, 35 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater have occurred within less than 200 miles of Monday’s quake.
Americares has a long history of responding to earthquakes, including the 2023 Türkiye and Syria earthquake, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2010 and 2021 earthquakes in Haiti and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Americares has been providing assistance to the Philippines—one of the most disaster-prone countries—for over 20 years. Americares established a base of operations in Manila after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 to be able to respond more quickly to disasters and strengthen health care for families in need. The Americares Philippines team also provides ongoing support to local health centers, which are often the only source of care for thousands of people.
Donations to Americares Philippines Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the earthquake and other emergencies. To donate, go to americares.org/philippines.