The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided nearly Php 13 million to communities affected by the ongoing eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay province, including more than Php11 million ($200,000) in immediate humanitarian assistance and Php1.86 million ($33,600) worth of education materials.
USAID is partnering with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide clean water, essential hygiene items, and emergency shelter to over 2,500 individuals in evacuation centers in the municipalities of Camalig, Guinobatan, Libon, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo. USAID and IOM will also help the local communities in managing evacuation centers and repairing critical water and sanitation infrastructure.
In addition to humanitarian aid, USAID also donated learner and teacher kits to 19 schools affected by the eruption. These education materials will help ensure learning continuity for an estimated 6,000 students and 200 teachers.
With USAID support, the UN World Food Programme, in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), provided logistics assistance and transported around 58,000 family food packs to evacuees.
USAID works year-round with its Philippine partners to develop programs that enhance the country’s disaster preparedness and response such as the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, which USAID has supported for more than 35 years. The program offers hazard assessment training, early warning system development, and volcano monitoring equipment installation to disaster monitoring organizations like the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
USAID also deploys its own disaster response experts who coordinate response efforts with the Philippine government, civilian organizations, and humanitarian partners.