Red Cross calls for public support as humanitarian operations continue for communities affected by Taal Volcano eruption

Mandaluyong — As the full picture of the devastation brought by the eruption of Taal Volcano becomes more evident 3 days after ashes and volcanic materials poured down on parts of Batangas and nearby areas, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) appeals for humanitarian aid for thousands of families affected and displaced by the wrath of the country’s second most active volcano.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon urged the public as well as businesses to provide aid to the most vulnerable through donations.

“PRC needs all the support it can get to help families in the affected areas. There are still more that needs to be done and we are just starting with our operations to provide assistance to the affected communities, just like what we did during the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption,” Gordon said.

Facemasks or surgical masks (N95) are badly needed since ash is harmful to a person’s health, particularly for those suffering from respiratory illnesses.Food, medicine, clean water, tents and essential household items (sleeping mats and blankets and shelter grade tarpaulins) are also a necessity for other communities.

“We are racing against time, more earthquakes are recorded and they’re getting stronger everyday which means the magma is mixing up with the steam that could lead to a catastrophic eruption. I’m not trying to scare anybody, but we should prepare for the worst here and I’m judging by the history of past eruptions. We also appeal to our partners to contribute to our efforts,” Gordon added.

As of January 14, PRC assisted in the evacuation of 132 individuals in Batangas and Cavite, distributed hotmeals to 1,750 individuals and 750 others were provided with loaf bread in Balayan East and West Evacuation Centers.

Red Cross also distributed 5,000 pieces of N95 masks, deployed five ambulances and two water tankers with 10,000 liters of safe and potable water that were distributed to 800 individuals in the Municipality of Balayan (Balayan East Elementary School), Five welfare desks in Batangas and Cavite and20 units of portalets set in various areas in Batangas.

Since January 12, more than 222 PRC personnel are on the ground working round-the-clock to aid the affected families that climbed up to 7,039 or31,994 individuals currently sheltered in 107 evacuation centers in Batangas and Cavite Provinces.

Heartwarming is the sight of people from different walks of life gathering at the PRC Logistics & Multipurpose Center in Mandaluyong City offering their services to volunteer for the repacking of relief goods

PRC uses resources provided by generous donors for these activities. The public can help PRC replenish these resources by donating through the following avenues:

BDO

Peso Savings: 00-453-0190938

Dollar Savings: 10-453-0039482

Swift Code: BNORPHMM

BPI

Peso Savings: 4991-0036-52

Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Metrobank

Peso Savings: 151-7-151524342

Dollar Savings: 151-2-151002182

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Security Bank