A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has struck the southern coast of the Philippines, hitting the Mindanao region and leaving at least 35 people dead and more than 200 others injured. The disaster has devastated communities across the area, cutting off villages, forcing hospitals to operate outdoors, and triggering landslides that have blocked major roads.
For the large Filipino community living and working in the UAE, the news has hit close to home. Many are anxiously trying to reach loved ones back in the Philippines — and right now, the UAE has stepped forward to help.
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UAE Mobilizes Urgent Relief
The United Arab Emirates has launched an immediate humanitarian response to support those affected by the earthquake. The relief effort is being coordinated through the UAE Aid Agency, working in close partnership with relevant local authorities in the Philippines.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, the response includes the delivery of diverse emergency relief supplies — covering food, essential items, and other critical needs — to complement the Philippine government’s ongoing recovery efforts.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, explained the urgency behind the response:
“This urgent UAE response stems from the country’s international responsibility toward communities and peoples facing natural disasters and crises. We aim to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the earthquake and help with early recovery and stability in coordination with international organisations and relevant local authorities.”
Dr. Al Ameri further noted that the relief assistance was not rushed without direction. It was based on a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the agency in coordination with Philippine authorities, ensuring that the right supplies reach the right people as efficiently as possible.
A Commitment Grounded in Humanitarian Values
The UAE’s swift response is consistent with its long-standing global humanitarian mission. Dr. Al Ameri emphasized that the agency continues to implement emergency response plans aligned with the UAE’s broader humanitarian vision — a vision that prioritizes reaching vulnerable communities affected by earthquakes, cyclones, and other natural disasters, wherever they may be in the world.
The relief effort also aligns with humanitarian situation assessments issued by relevant UN organisations, ensuring international standards and best practices are upheld throughout the response.
UAE Expresses Solidarity with the Filipino People
Beyond the material relief, the UAE has also expressed heartfelt solidarity with the Philippines at the diplomatic level. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement conveying sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of the Philippines. The ministry also extended its wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured in the disaster.
The statement underscored the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and the Philippines — a relationship that is deeply felt here in Dubai, where hundreds of thousands of Filipinos call home.
What This Means for Filipinos in the UAE
If you are an OFW based in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE and you are worried about family members in Mindanao or nearby regions, know that help is on the way. The UAE government has acted quickly, and relief supplies are being delivered on the ground.
In the meantime, here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Check on your loved ones via phone, messaging apps, or social media
- Monitor official updates from the Philippine government and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai
- Reach out to community groups — the Filipino community in the UAE has always shown incredible solidarity in times of crisis
- Consider donating to reputable relief organizations operating on the ground in the Philippines
