US extends P5.1m assistance to people displaced by Taal eruption

January 22, 2020

The United States on Wednesday announced a P5.1 million worth of assistance to people affected by Taal Volcano's eruption last January 12.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim also joined Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation partners to distribute supplies to evacuees in Calatagan, Batangas. 

With this new funding, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partner World Vision is providing relief supplies including soap, sleeping mats, and blankets, to nearly 7,600 people in the Nasugbu West Central School evacuation center in Batangas.

Kim spoke to families who were forced to evacuate.

“I’m inspired by the strength and resilience of these families who faced such devastation and loss following the volcanic eruption.  As friends, partners, and allies to the Philippines, we will continue to support our Philippine government counterparts as they work to address the needs of those communities most affected by the eruption,” Kim said. 

In Calatagan, the US envoy thanked PDRF companies for their assistance to evacuees.  “I have been very encouraged to see the private sector – American companies alongside Philippine companies – mobilize to address urgent needs of communities following the Taal volcanic eruption.”

PDRF is a major private sector vehicle and coordinator for disaster management in the Philippines.

This newly announced US assistance complements existing support to transport emergency supplies to evacuees, provide technical assistance to manage evacuation centers, and loan specialized equipment and analytic support to monitor the Taal Volcano. DMS