World Vision provides Taal-affected families with household items as the latter return home

More than 2000 families affected by Taal Volcano eruption residing in evacuation centers in the municipalities of Tuy and Nasugbu have received relief goods that contain hygiene kits and other household items such as blankets and mats.

Marciana, a mother of three from Laurel, said that the items arrived at the right time when they are all preparing to go home after their local government officials have given them a go signal to return home. “Most of our house items are damaged by volcanic ashes. It would take time for us to clean the debris.”

Marciana and her family are first-time evacuees. Her husband, Julito, has no permanent job and can provide Php500 a week if he finds a construction work.

Affected families were given the option to return to go home last week of January after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered the alert level from 4 to 3 after Taal Volcano showed decreased tendencies towards hazardous eruptions but may still erupt within days or weeks.

Families living in total lockdown areas in Agoncillo (Subic Ilaya, Bilibinwang and Banyaga), Laurel (Buso-Buso, Gulod and Bugaan East), Balete (Calawit), Talisay (San Isidro and Sitio Tabla), and San Nicolas (Alas-as and Pulang-Bato) are prohibited to return for safety reasons.

The picturesque Taal Volcano erupted in January 12 producing volcanic ashes that affected communities living near it to as far as Metro Manila, the Philippine capital. Three weeks after Taal Volcano erupted, there are still more than 7,000 families living inside and outside evacuation centers, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recent report showed.

World Vision staff are still continuously coordinating with local government agencies and assisting families affected by volcanic eruption through provision of relief goods and child-friendly spaces, a psycho-social intervention for children.