“World Vision assisted children and families in covered areas that were affected by 6.9 earthquake and aftershocks in Negros Island and Cebu are safe and all accounted for,” as reported by Ernie Macabenta, World Vision Associate Director in Visayas. Though tsunami alerts have been lifted, Ms. Bing Duran, Program Officer of ADP Cebu reported that a government facility has been prepared to serve as an evacuation center should aftershocks become more rampant and dangerous. Seismology experts have warned the public to remain cautious and expect aftershocks within the week after the earthquake.

The 6.9 quake rocked Negros Oriental in the morning of February 5 leaving 26 dead and over 70 still missing.

World Vision (WV) has now deployed an assessment team in the affected areas in Negros Oriental to check the extent of damage brought by the 6.9 earthquake that left 26 dead, 52 injured and over 70 missing. Rescuers and government workers are working round the clock to find those who are still missing as public utilities are still needed to be restored. The military was also dispatched to maintain public order amid reports of looting in the city. Duran is now with an assessment team headed in critical areas in Negros Oriental province. “Travel time from the capital city Dumaguete to the hardest hit areas in Guinsaluonong, Guihulngan, Tayasan and Himalalud normally takes three hours by bus. But travel in the area can take longer and more perilous now that bridges have been damaged, leaving far-flung villages isolated.” “We will depend on the assessment team to check the extent of damage and the capacity of the government to respond to the urgent needs of the survivors. We will coordinate with the local government and provide support if needed,” shares WV Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs (HEA) Staff Reynor Imperial . The local government has been responding to the needs of the affected families and communities. “They have been providing relief goods to the families and the military has already been dispatched to support rescue and retrieval operations,” Imperial added. ###