January 26 update: The alert level for the Taal eruption has been lowered to Level 3. Give2Asia staff will continue to monitor the situation and post updates if volcanic activity increases. Our local partners remain engaged with assisting displaced families and appreciate your support.
On January 12, Taal Volcano in the Philippines—located just 100 km from the nation’s capital—began to erupt steam and ash. Ash buried nearby homes, displacing residents and reaching as far as Metro Manila. The country remains at Alert Level 4 (“Hazardous Eruption Imminent”) out of a maximum 5.
Give2Asia’s in-country staff and disaster program team are monitoring the situation and working with our local partners to assess funding needs. You can donate to local relief and recovery efforts using links to our partners below. For corporate grantmaking or other giving options, please contact us.
Immediate Impacts
As of January 16, close to 68,000 people are affected in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite. At least 13,000 are taking temporary shelter in 257 evacuation centers. A State of Calamity has been declared in the two provinces, where agricultural damages are expected to reach Php577 million (US$11.3 million). Current concerns are proper evacuation, health concerns from ash-fall, and interruptions to power and water. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported to date.
Ongoing Risk
Volcanic activity remains lower this week, but eruption is likely within days or weeks. Warning signs include fissures in towns surrounding Taal Lake, continuous volcanic earthquakes, and drying up of the crater lake and nearby river. As a precaution, the government has urged total evaluation of a 14km high risk area that covers nearly half a million residents.
Response by Local Nonprofit Partners
PUSOD Taal Lake Conservation Center
PUSOD is working with local communities in the hazardous zones surrounding the volcanic island to properly evacuate. Since 2003, PUSOD has been working with lakeshore communities in the Taal area on conservation, responsible livelihood and disaster preparedness, including study visits to the volcano island. Many of their partner communities have sought safer ground and PUSOD plans to support their needs during this time.
Caritas Manila
Caritas Manila, through their Disaster Program (Damayan), is calling for donations for relief items to serve evacuation centers.
Philippine Business for Social Progress
Philippine Business for Social Progress targets to raise Php2million (US$40,000) to provide relief packs to farming and fishing households affected by the calamity. Each relief pack contains food items, blankets, hygiene necessities and potable water.
Ayala Foundation
Ayala Foundation is also accepting donations to provide for needs of evacuated families in various centers in Batangas.