We praise God that no injuries have been reported among OneChild children, Child Champions or staff.
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mindanao in the Philippines on Monday, June 8 at 7:40 a.m. local time.
Although two of our partners are located close to the epicenter near General Santos City, we are grateful that no Hope Centers or OneChild partners were severely impacted. Two Hope Centers nearest the affected area reported damaged roads and temporary power interruptions but no injuries or major damage.
Two OneChild staff members living in Davao City and several partners in the region experienced strong tremors, but they and their families are safe.
Many lives were likely saved because the earthquake occurred at the time when schoolchildren are typically outside for a regular Monday morning assembly rather than inside the buildings.
We ask our global community to pray for everyone in the area, as there was significant damage to many buildings in the region, and the BBC reports at least 37 deaths resulting from the earthquake, a number that could rise.
According to the United Nations,[i] the Philippines has been ranked number one on the World Risk Index, which ranks countries’ vulnerability to natural disasters. Located in warm waters near the equator, and on the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” the nation is comprised of 7,000 islands with many coastal cities. There are also more than 20 active volcanoes in the Philippines.
These factors combine to make the Philippines uniquely prone to extreme weather events like typhoons, as well as earthquakes and other natural disasters.
When disasters strike, those living in poverty, including the families in OneChild’s program, are often the hardest hit. Many live in poorly constructed homes that cannot withstand storms. And they often have no savings to replace household goods or tools needed for their livelihood when they are lost to a storm or fire. Therefore, the support of Child Champions and Hope Centers plays a critical role in their recovery.
Please join us in thanking God for the safety of the children as we pray for peace for the children and all our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.
[i] United Nations Sustainable Development Group. (2024, October). Waiting for the ‘big one’ – natural hazards in the Philippines: A UN Resident Coordinator blog.
