On 13 January 2020, the Taal volcano erupted, it is located in a lake in Batangas, Philippines, spewing hot ash and gas from its crater, causing a mass evacuation of the communities on the island and the affected perimeter. The area is highly populated. Toxic ash is affecting and damaging homes, destroying farmland, disrupting power infrastructure and, most importantly, displacing families and communities.
Due to the situation of risk and the need to set up evacuation centres to accommodate the displaced people, the religious administrators of the Sacred Heart School of Cavite – Recoletos in Alfonso, in solidarity with the affected families, have declared the school open for shelter and evacuation. In close collaboration with the educational center, ARCORES Philippines has organized itself to assist in providing immediate needs for the families who have already been evacuated from the school; as of today there are almost 135 people and more are still arriving. In coordination with the authorities, ARCORES Philippines will also provide urgent food assistance to other victims.
The basic needs identified are as follows: water, food supplies (canned goods, rice rations, noodles); sleeping materials (beds, sheets, ); personal hygiene needs (for women and children); kitchen items and utensils, and clothes.
ARCORES Philippines continues to assess the existing situation and, until the second week from the date of the disaster, is committed to providing and coordinating basic emergency assistance to the victims. In light of the government’s instructions, ARCORES Philippines will assist families to return to their respective homes as soon as they are deemed habitable. To this end, it is already preparing a post-disaster recovery plan that includes: psychological and spiritual care and a workshop program for the production of handicrafts from volcanic ash.
How can you help?
Those affected by this tragedy need your help. ARCORES International invites you to help for two actions:
1. Prayers for those affected by the tragedy, who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
2. Urgent economic aid, in solidarity with those affected, to meet the basic needs of those who have taken refuge in the school: 8,500 euros for the evacuation centre (150 people benefited) and 8,000 euros for food (1,000 people benefited).
You can do this through this account number:
ES36 0075 021 4806 0079 4829
ARCORES España
Or in Paypal:
