THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas has mobilized three response clusters under its Disaster Response and Early Recovery Pillar to assist families affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption in Negros.
The eruption happened at 3:03 p.m. Monday, December 9, 2024.
The activated clusters include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Protection, Food and Non-Food Items, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management.
The department aims to provide critical resources and support to affected communities.
“We want the affected families to know that DSWD is with them in this difficult time. We will provide Family Food Packs as well as Non-Food Items by augmenting the resources of local government units,” said DSWD Western Visayas Director Arwin Razo.
In preparation for a rapid and organized response, the Quick Response Team (QRT) of DSWD in Western Visayas was also activated to ensure swift operations.
“We are continuously coordinating with the LGUs (local government units) in the area so we are able to help them,” Razo said.
Prior to the eruption, the DSWD had conducted an inventory of food and non-food items in areas near Mount Kanlaon and held coordination meetings with the Regional Disaster Risk Management Council to strategize potential responses.
LGUs have deployed camp coordination and camp management teams to affected areas to facilitate assistance for displaced families.
Meanwhile, the DSWD in Western Visayas led by Razo participated in an emergency virtual meeting on the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
The meeting, initiated by the Office of the Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD 6), was presided over by OCD 6 Director Raul Fernandez and focused on updates from La Castellana.
According to initial assessments, around 46,900 individuals residing within the four to six-kilometer radius of the volcano are expected to be affected.
The primary concern is Barangay Sag-ang in La Castellana, as wind directions point toward the western section.
To ensure timely and effective disaster response, the DSWD 6 Disaster Response Management Development (DRMD) staff will be deployed in Negros Occidental Monday night to provide necessary interventions.
The agency is also mobilizing its Mobile Command Center, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced information and communications technology.
The center will establish vital communication links between the affected area, the Regional Operations Center, the Disaster Response Command Center, and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. (Leo Solinap)