Supporting families in crisis: MARIST TULONG Earthquake Relief Operation

In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck General Santos City and the municipalities along the Sarangani coastline in southern Mindanao, the Marist East Asia Province – Philippine Sector launched MARIST TULONG, an Earthquake Relief Operation aimed at assisting families and communities severely affected by the disaster. (Tulong is the Tagalog word for “help.”)

The powerful earthquake left thousands of people displaced, with homes damaged or destroyed and livelihoods disrupted. Amid this difficult reality, the Marists of Champagnat in the Philippines responded with compassion and solidarity, seeking to accompany those who are suffering and to restore hope among the affected communities.

Through MARIST TULONG, emergency assistance — food supplies, potable water, medicines, and shelter materials — is being provided to displaced families in General Santos City and the neighboring municipalities of Sarangani Province, with particular attention to the health, dignity, and well-being of children, women, and the elderly. More than material aid, the initiative seeks to bring comfort and hope to people struggling to rebuild their lives.

In response to this situation, the Marist Brothers of the East Asia Province – Philippine Sector, in collaboration with FMSI (Marist International Solidarity Foundation), have launched an emergency fundraising campaign to extend and sustain this relief effort. The campaign has already received fraternal support from the General Administration of the Marist Brothers through FMSI’s Global Marist Family Fund for Humanitarian Emergencies — a concrete expression of the Institute’s commitment to stand with Marist missions and communities facing natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.

Thanks to this generous support, we have already been able to reach the first displaced families — but many more are still in urgent need of assistance.

In moments of calamity, we are reminded that we are one global community united by faith and mission. The support coming from Brothers and Lay Marists across the world is a powerful testimony that fraternity transcends borders — and that together we can become instruments of God’s compassion for those most in need.

As recovery efforts continue, the Marist Brothers of the East Asia Province and FMSI express their profound gratitude to the General Administration, to benefactors, friends, and all members of the Global Marist Family whose generosity and prayers have become signs of hope for the people of Mindanao.

how can you help

Contributions to the campaign are still welcome and urgently needed. You can support our emergency efforts in the Philippines by:

• Making a direct donation via the FMSI official website;
• Sharing the campaign within your networks to help us reach more potential donors;
• Partnering with us as an organization to co-finance future phases of humanitarian response.

Your support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are suffering. Together, we can offer not just relief, but hope.