Mindanao Earthquake
Mindanao Earthquake
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo calls on us to stand with families displaced by the 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao. Donate today to support displaced families.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao on 08 June 2026 resulted in widespread damage to homes, public infrastructure, and essential services, causing significant displacement across several provinces in Region XI and Region XII. As of 07 July 2026, a total of 92,628 individuals remain displaced. Of these, approximately 30% are currently residing in 74 evacuation centers, while the remaining displaced population is staying in host communities or other temporary arrangements. The number of damaged houses has reached 113,412, including 18,384 totally damaged and 95,028 partially damaged homes, underscoring the scale of recovery needs and the continued demand for humanitarian assistance, particularly for families with limited access to shelter and basic services.
UNHCR deployed its first Emergency Response Team (ERT) from 26 June to 02 July 2026 to support the government-led response through coordination, protection monitoring, and needs assessment in earthquake-affected communities. The mission covered Davao Occidental and General Santos City, as well as coordination with DSWD Field Office XII.
Provincial, city/municipal, and barangay authorities highlighted the sustained humanitarian needs of affected populations, particularly Indigenous Peoples (IPs), families living in evacuation sites, persons with disabilities, older persons, women, and children. In visits to the hardest hit and most geographically isolated barangays, local government counterparts and displaced families themselves reported challenges
related to overcrowded evacuation facilities, damaged water systems, loss of documentation, limited access to healthcare and education, inadequate lighting in camps, and uncertainty regarding long-term shelter solutions.
Emergency Situation Reports:
Protection Issues and Needs
- Access to Safe and Secure Shelter
- Access to Basic Services
- Access to Health Services
- Protection of Vulnerable Groups
- Protection of Populations at Risk of Statelessness & Indigenous Peoples
Humanitarian Response
Coordination With Government and Stakeholders
UNHCR conducted coordination meetings with the Davao Occidental Provincial Government, the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos (JAS), the Municipal Civil Registry, DSWD Field Office XII, and the City Government of General Santos City. Discussions focused on protection needs, humanitarian gaps, and potential areas of collaboration in support of earthquake-affected populations.
UNHCR reiterated its role as the global lead of the Protection Cluster and highlighted its readiness to support protection coordination, information management, protection mainstreaming, protection monitoring, and policy development related to internal displacement.
Protection Monitoring and Needs Assessment
Protection monitoring and rapid needs assessments were conducted in Barangays Malalan, Sugal, and Butulan in Jose Abad Santos, as well as in Dadiangas north an evacuation site in General Santos City. The assessments identified priority needs related to shelter, WASH, healthcare, documentation, education, psychosocial support, and camp management.
Findings will inform interventions and support evidence-based targeting of vulnerable families for protection assistance.
Civil Documentation Support
Following discussions with the Municipal Civil Registrar of Jose Abad Santos, opportunities were identified to support the replacement of lost civil documentation and strengthen birth registration efforts through collaboration with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The availability of the Batch Request Entry System (BREQS) was identified as a potential mechanism for facilitating access to civil registry documents for affected populations residing in remote communities.
Ways Forward
1. Continue protection monitoring and needs assessments in affected municipalities and evacuation sites through coordinated efforts among government agencies, humanitarian partners, and local stakeholders.
2. Address the urgent protection needs of earthquake-affected families through Cash for Protection assistance, based on assessment findings and vulnerability criteria.
3. Support government efforts to facilitate civil documentation replacement and birth registration services.
4. Strengthen protection mainstreaming and information management capacities of LGUs.
5. Advocate for the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces, Women-Friendly Spaces, and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities.
6. Coordinate with humanitarian partners to address gaps in shelter, WASH, healthcare, education, and camp lighting.
7. Promote local measures and ordinances that strengthen the protection of internally displaced persons and advance durable solutions.