What is happening in the Philippines?
At 7:37 am on Monday, 8 June 2026, a powerful 7.8‑magnitude earthquake struck off the southern island of Mindanao.
The epicenter was located 8 miles south-west of General Santos City, at a depth of 6.2 miles. Around 2.4 million people live within 62 miles of the epicenter, including more than 700,000 in General Santos City.
Over 145,000 people have been affected across eight regions. Information is still slow to emerge.
Reports show that at least 32 people have been killed and more than 200 injured. Buildings, businesses, and key infrastructure have been damaged across the region, and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate.
Tsunami warnings triggered evacuations across coastal areas in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, although these have now mostly been lifted. More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded across Mindanao, including some with magnitudes up to 6.5.
The impact on people’s homes is still unclear. We expect thousands of people to have their homes damaged or destroyed. Search and rescue is currently the priority.
Humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the situation as assessments begin.
How is ShelterBox responding?
Our highly experienced ShelterBox Philippines team is already in-country, working to understand more about the situation.
We are sending an assessment team to the affected areas to better understand what communities need.
We have emergency shelter supplies pre-positioned in Cebu and are ready for moments like this. We are also in close contact with Rotary partners, including Rotary in Cebu, with whom we have worked on previous responses.
Together, we are monitoring developments and preparing to support up to 3,000 families (15,000 people) with emergency shelter aid and other essentials.
Has ShelterBox responded in the Philippines before?
ShelterBox has responded in the Philippines more than 30 times, supporting communities affected by earthquakes, tropical storms, volcanic eruptions, and conflict.
Following the 2025 Cebu earthquake, we provided emergency shelter kits including tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets. We also provided cash assistance to help families meet their shelter needs and begin the recovery process.
Having worked across the country for many years, we are well-positioned to provide support that reflects the unique needs of each community.
How we prepare to respond
The Philippines is regularly affected by natural hazards. It sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes are common, and experiences frequent tropical storms throughout the year.
That is why ShelterBox invests in preparedness by pre-positioning aid in key locations such as Cebu, maintaining strong local partnerships, and ensuring experienced teams are ready to respond before disaster strikes.
When an emergency happens, those preparations help us respond more quickly and effectively. Because when families lose everything, every moment matters.
How to support people after disaster
The situation in the Philippines is still developing. Our team is assessing the impact and preparing to respond if needed.
Your support helps make that readiness possible. It enables us to pre-position aid, maintain emergency shelter supplies, strengthen local partnerships, and respond quickly when disaster strikes.
As needs become clearer, we will adapt our support to reach the communities most affected and help families find safety, stability, and shelter after disaster.
Donate today to help families affected by disasters in the Philippines and around the world.
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