A total of P2 billion in emergency aid is on standby for communities severely affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Saturday.
More than 42,000 people have been displaced by the eruption, with thousands seeking shelter in evacuation centers, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.
The eruption has affected over 10,000 families across 25 barangays in Western and Central Visayas, disrupting lives and forcing residents to flee their homes.
“DSWD is working closely with local government units to ensure the timely delivery of aid and protection for displaced families,” Dumlao said.
“We are focused on camp coordination and management, especially to provide safe spaces for women and children in evacuation centers,” she added.
Of the P2 billion funding, at least P92.2 million are standby funds that are available at the DSWD central and field offices, P1.1 billion are for family food packs, and P891 million for other food and non-food items.
The DSWD and its partners have so far delivered more than P14.7 million worth of humanitarian aid in the immediate aftermath of the eruption.
In addition to immediate aid, Dumlao said the DSWD is conducting a rapid damage assessment to determine other interventions and possible livelihood assistance for the affected, especially farmers.
“Once we get the data, that would be the basis of the department in determining what appropriate intervention. We can deliver cash for work, assistance to individuals in crisis situations or emergency cash transfer,” she said.
