The social action arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines has appealed for donations for the relief and rehabilitation of families affected by the ongoing eruption of Mount Mayon in Albay province.
Over 70,000 people have already been evacuated to temporary shelters as the volcano started spewing columns of ashes as high as ten kilometers this week.
Fr Rex Paul Arjona of the Diocese of Legazpi said most of those affected by the eruption are farmers who live and work within the volcano’s six-kilometre radius permanent danger zone.
“Their lives are disrupted and their means of livelihood suddenly became inaccessible, that is why they need all the help we could give,” said the priest.
Needs
Fr Arjona said the immediate needs of the affected communities include sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets, face masks, hygiene kits, firewood, food, water, toilets and communal kitchens.
Parishes around the diocese have already activated their respective parish disaster response committees that set up soup kitchens.
Church facilities are also being opened to house the most vulnerable evacuees, such as pregnant and lactating mothers, people with disabilities and the elderly.