Taal Volcano in the Philippines
On January 12, 2020, the Taal Volcano erupted and filled the air with smoke and ash. Officials have increased the alert from a Level 2 to a Level 4. A Level 5 is reserved for “eruption in progress.” All local businesses, schools, and government offices have been closed due to the extensive amount of smoke and ash. Evacuees have fled to more than 217 refugee camps in search of food, water, and shelter. More than 82,000 people have been affected by this volcano, and many more continue to evacuate.
The Taal Volcano entered Level 2 when it started spewing ash at 2:30 pm on January 12, 2020. By 4:00 pm that same day, the alert level had been increased to Level 3. At 7:30 pm, the ash and rock fragments column began to grow, reaching up to 10-15km. January 13, 2020. from 2:49 am to 4:28 am lava fountains were observed at the top of Taal Volcano.
On January 14, 2020, volunteers from IDES’ partners checked evacuation centers in Tagaytay City. The road to Tagaytay is very dangerous due to the amount of continuous ash fall obstructing the view of the volunteers. Electricity and water are both out and cell signal is extremely weak in these areas. Due to the lack of electricity, evacuees must cook their food over open fires.
Many stories have come out of this current and looming disaster. Families have left everything in search of safety and basic necessities. Farmers have lost their crops, and respiration problems are beginning to increase. Several refugees have been unable to reach family due to slow cell service or lack of power, bringing generators to these people has allowed them to contact family as well as stay up to date on safety and evacuation information. One story tells of a pregnant woman who was forced to walk 6 hours uphill to reach a place of refuge.
IDES’ partners have been working day and night to help provide necessary items for the evacuees. Volunteers have prepared 400 pc 5-gallon dispensers with drinking water, 100 food packs, diapers, sanitary products, and charging stations. They brought water to towns not yet evacuated who have no water supply or electricity.
One partner says “In many non-evacuated communities ash and soot are piling up on and clinging to roofs. We want to buy tools to help people scrape and clean their roofs before the weight of the ash destroys the underlying structure, creating much more difficult and expensive problems.”
IDES’ partners are doing everything they can to provide for those affected by this volcano, but we need your help! Donations are needed to help fund the cost of food and water for the refugees, as well as providing them with electricity, purchasing tools to help prevent buildings from collapsing under the weight of the ash, and much more.
If you would like to help provide for those in need, fill out our donation form and include “Philippines Volcano” in the designation comments. There are so many people in need and you can help us make a difference in the name of Christ today!