World Vision Mounts Response for Mayon-affected Families

As Mayon volcano continues to show unrest, World Vision in the Philippines launches an emergency response to complement the government-led response and provide urgent aid to at least 2,000 families or 10,000 people. Assistance will include hygiene kits (bath and laundry soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes, sanitary packs, nailcutter, underwears and malong), non-food items (mosquito net, blanket and mat), face masks and drinking water.

“Our team is already on the ground doing necessary coordination with government agencies. Our rapid assessment showed that foods, hygiene kits and non-food items like mats are the main concerns of the affected population,” says Rommel Fuerte, World Vision’s national director in the Philippines.

Mayon volcano in Albay, west of the Philippines, is currently spewing lava and ashes since January 14 that affected communities living near it. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level to 4 (in a scale of 5) ast January 22 forcing families from the 8km and 9km extended danger zones to evacuate.

Alert level 4 remains hoisted over the volcano, to warn residents that hazardous eruption is imminent within days. As of January 28, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has reported two episodes of sporadic lava fountaining from the summit crater lasting from 23 to 55 minutes between January 27 and January 28. Volcanic earthquakes, tremor and rockfall events were also recorded.

World Vision rapid assessment team interviews camp managers and coordinates with local government units in the province of Albay, west of the Philippines, to know the situation of evacuees.

Thousands of families have trooped to evacuation centres since January 13. Based on the January 28 report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 89,00 individuals or 22,885 families are affected. Local government disaster response teams have systematically evacuated affected residents to 74 evacuation centers. More than 39,000 school-aged children from 49 schools within the 6-7 kilometer danger zone are also impacted by the volcano’s unrest. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector has reported a total damage cost of Php189,434,666 (USD3.8 Million).

“Life in the evacuation center is difficult but we are used to this situation. We’d rather be here than be buried in lava or get killed by rolling big rocks,” Genevieve Moya, a 55-year-old evacuee, shared. She is also one of the evacuees in the 2014 Mayon eruption.

It was in November 2014 that the volcano last threatened the region, forcing more than 15,000 people to live in evacuation centres for nearly a month. World Vision, in partnership with the local government and USAID provided emergency essentials, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and constructed water sanitation and health facilities to help address the pressing needs of the displaced families.

“We do not know when the affected children and families will be able to go back to their homes. People have taken the necessary steps to be prepared and we will be there to stand with them. I appeal to our donors and partners to help us respond,” adds Fuerte.

To extend your help to the families displaced by ongoing Mayon Volcano unrest, visit worldvision.org.ph/mayonresponse2018 or call 372-77-77, for more information.