In the days immediately following the disaster, reports indicated a surge in the presence of humanitarian actors conducting assessments and providing rapid response. However, by the end of the first week, reports of unmet needs began to emerge that prompted MSF teams to deploy an assessment team on June 14. As a response, and in close collaboration with the Department of Health, MSF deployed teams to two of the hardest-hit municipalities - Malapatan and Glan in Sarangani Province.
In both locations, many affected communities have still not been reached by other medical organisations. Some organisations who initially committed to support on mobile clinic pulled out a week after due to aftershocks leaving the Provincial Health Office to directly request MSF for additional support. MSF was among the first to provide basic medical care, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
Building on this response, our teams are strengthening local health systems by supporting overstretched facilities, deploying mobile clinics to reach remote unaddressed communities, and facilitating referrals for patients requiring higher levels of care. Essential medical supplies have also been provided to help sustain services in affected areas.
In addition to basic medical care, our teams are expanding their mental health and psychosocial support activities through schools and community networks. This includes giving orientation to teachers in Psychological First Aid (PFA), equipping them to provide ongoing, basic psychological support to children, and helping address trauma as their communities begin to recover.
The earthquake has not only overwhelmed health facilities with urgent medical needs but has also left deep psychosocial scars across affected communities. Many people, especially children and teachers, are struggling to cope with fear, loss and uncertainty, while access to healthcare remains severely disrupted, especially in remote and hard to reach areas. Addressing both physical and mental health needs is critical to helping communities recover and prevent further suffering.
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib, Médecins Sans Frontières Philippines Head of Mission
Teachers, such as Mea Lou Jumamil, 37, from Adelina T. Recto Elementary School in Glan, Sarangani, were deeply affected by the earthquake that struck what was supposed to be the first day of the new school year. Not only were their classrooms severely damaged, but many also lost their homes. Beyond these physical losses, they faced significant emotional distress, grappling with trauma and uncertainty in the aftermath, while still carrying the responsibility of keeping their students safe.
For Mea Lou, the moment the earthquake struck remains vivid.
“We had just settled into the classroom after the flag ceremony when the earthquake started. My first thought was about the children. I shouted for them to go outside and kept guiding them until we were all safe.”
Despite regular earthquake drills, the experience was overwhelming for both teachers and students.
“Even with regular drills, the students were shocked and didn’t know what to do. Afterward, it was difficult for us, we couldn't sleep and were always on edge.”
The dual impact on their personal and professional lives left teachers struggling to recover, even as they continued to support their students through the same crisis. With support from MSF, teachers like Mea Lou are beginning to regain a sense of stability.
“I am grateful to MSF for supporting us and teaching us psychological first aid. The exercises helped us feel calmer and less afraid of the ‘what ifs’.”
As of June 29, the team has reached four unaddressed barangays (communities) in Sarangani Province, providing services to 629 [ms2.1]patients, among them 363 mental health consultations. Common cases managed by MSF include viral upper and respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and infected wounds, hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions. Mental health and psychosocial support activities continue, including psychological first aid orientation and psychosocial processing for teachers and individual counselling, serving more than 363 individuals. Medicines and medical supplies were also provided to the Provincial Health Officer of Sarangani as part of ongoing support efforts.
