Davao Oriental earthquake survivors hold on to the meaning of ‘home’
Caraga, Davao Oriental | When the October 2025 “doublet” earthquake struck parts of Davao Oriental, it did more than crack walls and destroyed houses. But for many families, it shook the very foundation of identity, dignity, and safety that a home provides.
Maricel, 43 and her family, their house was more than a structure. It was the result of years of sacrifice and hard work. Built piece by piece from scratch, it stood as their only pride. It is a symbol of stability they had worked so hard to achieve.
“Galing sa ipon namin ang bahay na ito,” Maricel shared. “Ito ang tahanan namin.” (“We built this house from our savings. This is our home.”)
“Right now, our biggest problem is livelihood,” Maricel added. “My husband can only work maybe three days a week, and I have two school-aged children to feed. The trauma of the earthquake is still there, but I have to set it aside because we need to feed our children.”
The walls bear deep cracks, and fear lingers each time the ground trembles. Repairing their home is important, but putting food on the table matters more.
Her son, Ramsey, 14, shared his own struggle:
“I can’t focus on my studies anymore because I keep thinking about my parents and our house. We worked hard and saved for a long time to build it, and then this happened.”
Unstable electricity makes studying at night even harder. Many of their assignments require online research, but frequent power interruptions in Caraga and darkness often prevent them from keeping up with schoolwork.
Emily, a 55-yo mother, shares similar concerns. After the earthquake, she and her family were unable to repair their damaged home. With no doors and broken walls, donated trapal have become temporary walls and a roof.
“Hindi kami makatulog nang maayos,” Emily said quietly. “Lagi namin iniisip kung ligtas ang anak ko.” (“I can’t sleep well. I always worry if my daughter is safe.”)
Privacy is their major concern. With no proper bathroom covering, even basic daily needs have become sources of anxiety. For Emily, dignity, especially for her daughter, is something she longs to restore.
She added that while there is water, it is muddy and unsafe to drink. “It’s really hard when you don’t have a home of your own,” she said.
For Bing-Bing, 50, losing their home meant losing a sense of belonging. Her family initially sought refuge in a neighbor’s house. While grateful, discomfort soon set in.
“Hindi rin kami komportable,” she shared. “Hindi naman iyon ang bahay namin. Nahihiya din kami na baka magalit ang may-ari kung tumagal kami.” (“We weren’t comfortable. It wasn’t our home, and we were worried the owner might get upset if we stayed too long.”)
A home, she explained, is where a family can rest without fear, where children can sleep peacefully, and where parents can feel secure. To make ends meet, they use their “totally damaged” sari-sari store to earn extra income. These stories reflect a deeper reality faced by many disaster-affected families.
Losing a home means losing:
- Dignity
- safety
- a sense of belonging
While emergency relief is critical, long-term recovery requires listening closely to what families are experiencing and what they truly need.
World Vision interventions for earthquake-affected families in Davao Oriental
World Vision goes to communities to listen to the stories of mothers, children, and local leaders. Understanding their context is at the heart of humanitarian work. By walking alongside families and hearing directly from them, recovery efforts can meaningfully respond to their realities beyond immediate needs.
In October 2025, World Vision provided psychosocial support through Child and Caregiver Friendly Spaces (CFS) in the municipalities of Tarragona and Manay, reaching more than 1,616 children and 147 caregivers. Children and caregivers participate in structured activities designed for safety, psychosocial support, and normalcy, such as drawing, playing games (like ball games), blowing bubbles, and engaging in traditional stories and songs. These safe spaces allow children and parents to express emotions, learn about safety/abuse prevention, and resume normal development, reducing trauma-related stress.
In addition, 2,011 individuals from 445 families received hygiene kits, jerry cans, and P&G Purifier of Water packets, while 131 adults were trained as frontliners to support community-level response.
World Vision will continue working with partners, donors, sponsors, and private institutions such as the Coca-Cola Foundation to provide extended support based on the expressed needs of affected families. It is through collaboration that recovery programs can reach families more effectively and sustainably. Because rebuilding a home is not only about shelter. It is about restoring dignity, security, and hope for the future.
As families in Davao Oriental continue their journey toward recovery, they hold on to one shared dream: to once again have a place they can proudly call home.
