The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed solidarity with the people and Christian communities of the Philippines following a powerful earthquake that struck the island of Mindanao, killing dozens of people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

In a message addressed to churches across the country, WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured affected communities of the prayers and support of the global Christian community.

“We stand alongside local churches and pastors who, despite suffering losses of their own, are transforming their places of worship into shelters for those who have been displaced,” the statement said. The WCC also urged its member churches and humanitarian partners to provide the maximum possible assistance to those affected by the disaster.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao on the evening of June 8. According to local authorities, at least 55 people have been killed, more than 1,000 injured, and dozens remain missing. More than 45,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes after a tsunami warning was issued.

The hardest-hit areas include Sarangani Province and the city of General Santos. The earthquake triggered landslides, building collapses, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Preliminary assessments indicate that more than 19,000 homes, along with shopping centers, hotels, schools, and water supply systems, sustained damage. Power outages continue to affect several communities.

Although earthquakes are common in the Philippines due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, seismologists have described the latest tremor as the strongest to strike the country in decades. According to Philippine seismic authorities, the quake was caused by tectonic activity near the Cotabato Trench.

Among those reporting on the disaster was Hieromonk Cornelius of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Philippines-Vietnam Diocese, who serves in General Santos City.

“Today was one of the strongest earthquakes I can remember,” the priest wrote on his Telegram channel. “Estimates range from magnitude 7.8 to 8.0. At the Resurrection of Christ house church in General Santos, a fence collapsed onto a neighboring property, and these are unlikely to be the last damages we will discover.”

While the Orthodox community in the Philippines remains relatively small, several of its parishes were located within the disaster zone. Churches of various denominations have already begun assisting victims by opening temporary shelters and organizing humanitarian aid campaigns.

The largest church-led relief effort has been launched by the Catholic Church in the Philippines, which represents the majority of the country’s population. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has called on all dioceses to hold a special collection during Sunday services on June 14. Funds raised will be distributed through Caritas Philippines, the church’s national charitable network, to support emergency relief operations and long-term reconstruction efforts.

Catholic bishops expressed sympathy for the families of those killed and stressed the importance of assisting people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Several dioceses have already announced financial aid packages for affected regions, while religious communities, church charities, and volunteers across the country have joined relief efforts.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has visited the affected areas of Mindanao and pledged additional government assistance. Authorities have indicated that special attention will be given to providing psychological support for children and teenagers, as the earthquake struck on the first day of the new academic year and has had a profound impact on millions of students.

Rescue and recovery operations remain underway across the region. Churches from different Christian traditions continue to call on believers to pray for the victims, support relief efforts, and assist communities facing the long process of rebuilding after one of the most severe natural disasters in recent Philippine history.