General santos city: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has sent disaster response teams to assist in search and rescue operations in General Santos City and Sarangani province after a severe earthquake struck the region. The magnitude 7.8 tremor on Monday left several individuals missing and caused significant structural damage.

According to Philippines News Agency, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua announced the deployment of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) personnel to the Soccsksargen region to provide humanitarian assistance to the earthquake victims. Macacua emphasized the collaboration between BARMM's Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) and the Office of Civil Defense-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (OCD-BAR) to enhance damage assessment, coordination, and information management in the affected areas.

The BARMM-READi has outlined the responsibilities of the RDANA team, which include conducting on-the-ground assessments, executing search-and-rescue missions, and gathering critical data on infrastructure damage and immediate humanitarian needs. The team will also focus on improving coordination among various response agencies.

The deployment of the 15-member RDANA team, who traveled to General Santos City with OCD-BAR officials using Philippine Air Force helicopters, aims to bolster disaster response efforts through swift assessment, coordination, and management of information in the impacted communities.