DSWD distributes P750,000 worth of aid to Kanlaon eruption victims

This photo shows Mount Kanlaon volcano spewing a large plume of ash during an eruption as seen from La Castellana town, Negros Occidental on June 3, 2024. (Photo by Handout / Courtesy of Dollet Demaflies / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Over P750,000 worth of assistance was distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DSWD said its Field Office in Western Visayas dispensed food and non-food items worth more than P611,000 in Negros Occidental.

READ: Kanlaon Volcano erupts; Phivolcs raises Alert Level 2

Meanwhile, its Field Office in Central Visayas also gave away over P146,000 worth assistance in Negros Oriental.

The DSWD added it is assisting local government units concerned in monitoring the status of the 426 families, or 1,414 individuals, who are temporarily taking shelter in 11 evacuation centers in the two provinces.

“Due to the heightened vulnerability of children during disasters, such as the recent Mt. Kanlaon volcanic eruption, child-friendly and women-friendly spaces were set up to enhance their resilience against the negative effects of emergency situations on their well-being,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao.

“These spaces offer activities such as psychosocial counseling, games, educational activities, art therapy sessions, and supplementary feeding, among others,” she added, as quoted in a statement.

READ: Kanlaon Volcano update: 53 quakes recorded; Alert Level 2 stays

Last Monday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported an explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano, reaching about 5,000 meters high.

This event prompted the state volcanologists to raise an Alert Level 2 over the volcano.