Former world champion Manny Pacquiao once again made international headlines, but this time outside the ring. The Filipino boxing legend announced a fundraising campaign to support the victims of the strong earthquake in Mindanao, a tragedy that has so far left 45 dead, 630 injured and nearly 200,000 affected in the southern Philippines.

The historic boxer, a native of the region hit by the natural disaster, asked for the support of the national and international community to address the most urgent needs of thousands of affected families.

Manny Pacquiao promotes solidarity campaign after the earthquake

Through a message posted on his Instagram account, Manny Pacquiao reported that his foundation will receive donations through different payment platforms, including transfers and cryptocurrencies.

The resources obtained will be used to purchase and distribute food, drinking water, nutritional supplements, medicines and other essential products for communities affected by the disaster.

The initiative comes at a critical time for the areas hardest hit by the earthquake in the Philippines, where rescue and humanitarian assistance efforts continue.

Pacquiao's emotional message to the victims of Mindanao

The former Philippine presidential candidate expressed his deep sadness over the situation in the region where he grew up and began his successful sports career.

"My heart breaks for the people of my city and all of Mindanao. This devastating earthquake has claimed lives, destroyed homes and shaken a community that has given me everything," he said.

The words of the former world champion generated a wave of reactions on social networks, where thousands of users highlighted their commitment to the affected communities.

The earthquake leaves serious damage to infrastructure

The Philippine authorities maintain a state of calamity in several affected areas, including General Santos, a city closely linked to the sporting career of Manny Pacquiao.

According to preliminary estimates by the Government, material damage amounts to 562 million Philippine pesos, equivalent to about 9.1 million dollars.

The magnitude of the disaster has caused significant damage to roads, bridges, homes and public buildings, making access to numerous communities difficult.

Almost 200,000 people affected by the disaster

According to data from the Philippine Department of Social Welfare, the earthquake impacted 197,750 people in Mindanao, the country's second largest island.

In addition, damage was reported to 7,866 homes, of which 1,596 were completely destroyed.

For its part, the Civil Defense Office raised the number of injured to 630 this Wednesday, while operations continue to locate 17 people who remain missing under the rubble.

More than 2,000 aftershocks maintain alert in the Philippines

The earthquake occurred at 07:37 local time on Monday, with the epicenter located about 24 kilometers southwest of the island of Burias.

Since then, the Philvocs seismological agency has recorded more than 2,000 aftershocks in just 48 hours, a situation that keeps the authorities and the population on alert.

Emergency teams continue to work in areas isolated by landslides, landslides and structural damage, while thousands of families remain displaced.

The Philippines, one of the most seismic regions on the planet

The Philippines is part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the areas with the greatest seismic and volcanic activity in the world.

Due to its geographical location, the country registers thousands of earthquakes every year, some of them with devastating consequences for millions of inhabitants.

In the midst of this new tragedy, the figure of Manny Pacquiao emerges as one of the main drivers of humanitarian aid for the communities affected by the earthquake that shook Mindanao.