Taal Volcano in the Philippines

We have supported families who lost their homes after the volcano eruption and have been left vulnerable to coronavirus

What happened?


In January 2020, the Taal Volcano erupted in the Philippines.

Over 580,000 people were affected, with many taking temporary shelter in crowded evacuation centres or staying with loved ones.

For more than four months following the disaster, many people were not able to return home. Many were living with host families.

With concerns around coronavirus growing, these families were living in cramped conditions and were unable to take precautions like social distancing.

Taal Volcano Facts


  • The Taal volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines
  • Its last eruption was 43 years ago in 1977
  • The eruption in January spewed ash up to 9 miles in the air, forcing people to evacuate their homes
  • Over 2,400 volcano tectonic earthquakes have occurred since the eruption

Read more about volcanoes, how they erupt, and the effects of an eruption.

Learn more

Map of Taal Volcano Philippines

How have we helped?


We have supported around 2,000 families with essential items like shelter kits, tarpaulins, rope, mosquito nets and solar lights.

These items will allow host families to extend the footprint of their homes, providing more space for social distancing.

The Philippines is one of the world’s worst disaster-affected countries. That’s why we have aid stored locally in Cebu, making it quick and easy for us to respond in times like this.

 

We can’t do our work alone, so we partnered with YKBI (Yakap sa Kaunlaran ng Bata Inc) who have helped as we carefully selected and distributed aid. We’ve also received support from our local Rotary contacts.

We have also sent a small number of tarpaulins, ropes and fixings to Eversley Sanitorium, a public hospital in Cebu serving the poorest and most marginalised members of the community. Our aid will be used to create extra spaces to treat patients in both emergency admissions and triage areas.

How does shelter save lives during coronavirus?


woman in the Philippines standing at her door with her baby

Coronavirus is a deadly risk for vulnerable families who have lost their homes. But shelter can save lives by:

  • Helping families to self-isolate and stay as healthy as possible
  • Helping to adapt or expand a vulnerable family’s home to ease overcrowding and allow social distancing
  • Helping people move from evacuation centres where families live close together
  • Helping to reduce sharing of essential household items between families

By slowing the spread of the virus, shelter can save lives. You can give people shelter by supporting us today.

Donate now

All photos taken during previous responses to disasters in the Philippines

Working through coronavirus

In the Philippines, we have taken additional steps to protect our team and ensure we don’t spread coronavirus to the families we are supporting.

Precautions include wearing face masks and gloves, frequent hand washing, and maintaining a distance from people in the affected communities.

We are determined to make sure that families can recover quickly, stay healthy and be less exposed to the risks of coronavirus.

Learn more about our coronavirus response.