Relief reaches hard-hit areas after earthquake

Key points

• More than 740 families have received relief supplies following a deadly June 8 earthquake.
• The Davao Episcopal Area has carried out multiple waves of relief operations.
• Beyond material aid, Bishop Israel M. Painit said pastors and volunteers also have provided spiritual care to accompany families throughout the recovery process.

Central United Methodist Church in General Santos City has been at the forefront of providing relief to families devastated by recent earthquakes and flooding.

What began as an immediate response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Southern Mindanao on June 8 has grown into a sustained ministry of compassion, bringing relief, pastoral care and renewed hope to more than 740 families in General Santos City and neighboring communities.

The region has been hard-hit by a series of disasters.

On June 13, heavy rains triggered post-quake flash floods, further damaging infrastructure, including the Kumaba Bridge.

The crisis deepened on July 23 when continuous heavy rains from tropical storm Kiyapo and the southwest monsoon caused severe flooding in low-lying communities, prompting the forced evacuation of hundreds of families in several barangays. A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines.

On Aug. 5, a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck. It was classified as a major, shallow aftershock of the June sequence, triggering school and work suspensions across General Santos City.

Relief efforts have been a collaborative effort between The United Methodist Church in the Philippines and partners in the denomination.

Resident Bishop Israel M. Painit said the Davao Episcopal Area responded immediately because the church believes it is “called to be present where people are hurting.”

The episcopal area worked with local churches within and outside the Philippines, annual conferences, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United-Methodist-related Wesleyan University-Philippines. An UMCOR-trained and supported Disaster Management Office in the Davao Episcopal Area leads the response locally, coordinating with UMCOR on needs.

“We have carried out multiple waves of relief operations, delivering food packs, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) supplies, solar energy solutions and other essential assistance to hundreds of affected families,” Painit said.

Beyond material aid, the bishop noted that pastors and volunteers have also provided prayer, pastoral care and emotional support to accompany families throughout their recovery.

The Rev. Jonathan R. Ulanday, administrative pastor of Central United Methodist Church, said that the relief operations have served families in the communities of Sufatubo, Small Margus and Tango in Glan; Sapu Masla in Malapatan; and Bagong Silang and San Jose in General Santos City.

Erwin Hyman N. Mari, outreach committee chair of Central United Methodist Church, shared that three major relief missions were successfully undertaken despite damaged roads, landslides and difficult terrain. Essential relief packs containing rice, canned goods, drinking water containers and household necessities were distributed, while volunteers also prepared hot meals for children and families.

“More than meeting physical needs, each act of service reflected Christ’s love in action, bringing comfort, encouragement and the assurance that they were not alone,” Mari said.

Christian B. Sudio, a United Methodist Young Adult Fellowship leader, said that the overwhelming response from donors transformed what was initially planned as assistance for only 100 families into a ministry that reached hundreds more.

“The support we received allowed us to expand beyond our original target and continue reaching communities that had not yet received assistance,” he said.

Marife M. Cambel, another leader with the Young Adult Fellowship, emphasized that the ministry extends beyond distributing relief goods.

“It is a simple but meaningful way of living out our faith, putting Christ above all and sharing God’s love through compassionate service,” Cambel said.

Reflecting on the importance of partnerships, Painit stressed that disaster response can never be accomplished by one person or one organization alone.

Guided by the Davao Episcopal Area’s CALL framework — Collaborating, Advocating, Liberating and Leadership — church leaders strengthened cooperation among annual conferences, local congregations, volunteers and humanitarian partners.

“Every donation, every volunteer, every prayer and every act of kindness become a testimony that no family has to face tragedy alone,” Painit said. “God often answers prayers through people who are willing to serve with open hearts and helping hands.”

Ulanday observed that the relief missions demonstrated how faith can overcome fear.

“People of faith rose above the situation,” he said of the church’s partners, enabling affected communities to regain confidence and hope even amid devastation.

Sudio recalled the church’s first relief mission, undertaken just days after the June earthquake despite continuing aftershocks and impassable roads.

“When we finally reached the area, we realized that we were not just giving material needs. What we were truly giving them was hope and comfort,” he said. “Collective compassion turns a small act of kindness into a movement of hope.”

Mari noted that, “while no assistance could fully replace what families had lost, every relief pack and every helping hand restored dignity, strengthened faith and reminded survivors that they had not been forgotten.”

Cambel likened every act of generosity to the mustard seed in Scripture.

“Every small act of kindness, every donation, every prayer and every helping hand may seem simple, but when we come together, they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many,” she said.

As recovery efforts continue, Painit called on United Methodists around the world to remain faithful to Christ’s mission.

“Continue embracing our vision to love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously,” he said, referring to the denomination’s new vision statement. “Our calling is not only to proclaim the Gospel with our words but also to demonstrate it through acts of mercy, justice and love. The needs around us are great, but God’s grace is greater.”

Sudio said many more are still unreached and in need of help. “Let us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ, serving God by sharing His love with others, especially those who are suffering.”

Mari likewise appealed for sustained support, emphasizing that the ministry of compassion lies at the heart of the Gospel. “Compassion should not be awakened only by disasters,” he said. “Our calling is to live lives marked by mercy every day.”

Mangiduyos is a communicator in the Philippines.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.