The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged S$50,000, or about ₱2.2 million, to support urgent relief operations in Cebu following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on October 1, 2025.
In a press statement, the SRC said its pledge will help the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deliver medical assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support to affected communities.
The SRC said it is also in talks with its partners on the ground to deploy prepositioned water filters to address the urgent need for safe drinking water.
In addition, the group’s disaster surveillance team is monitoring the approach of Tropical Cyclone Matmo, which is expected to make landfall in the Philippines today, further complicating ongoing relief operations.
“The situation in the Philippines is dire; thousands have lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. They might soon be confronted with another disaster with the incoming tropical storm. The situation is fluid, with the needs on the ground evolving daily,” said Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO of the SRC.
“Our contribution is intended to provide immediate assistance, helping to ensure that essential needs are met swiftly and that hope remains alive. We stand in solidarity with our sister national society and the impacted communities in these challenging times.”
The October 1 earthquake has left widespread destruction across Cebu and the central Philippines, with the death toll continuing to rise and thousands of residents displaced.
Since the initial tremor, more than 2,400 aftershocks have rattled the region, further weakening structures and heightening risks for survivors.
Recovery efforts have been slowed by persistent rain, power outages, and blocked roads, leaving communities in remote areas cut off from assistance.
The earthquake also struck just days after a tropical storm battered the Visayas, compounding the hardships of affected residents.
(S$1=₱44.95)
