Help for Taal Volcano Victims from Bangin, Agoncillo Philippines

We are around 100 families living in Bangin, Batangas. This small village lies within the 14-km danger zone of the Taal volcano that is currently threatening to erupt at any moment. Earthquakes in and around the area have been non-stop beginning on January 12th. Many houses in our village have been destroyed as a result of the earthquakes, shifting earth and very heavy ashfall. Our village including many other villages and municipalities around Lake Taal have been in total lockdown. Because of this we have been forced to flee to several evacuation centers that the government has provided for. We have left not only our houses and belongings behind but also our livelihood. Our pet animals, livestock and fields are mostly untended for. Because of the government lockdown and inherent danger still present in the area, we are not able to go back, feed our animals and check our houses. In all likelihood, we would most likely not have any livelihood to go back to. Now we are totally dependent on donations and government relief. More importantly, we need to start looking into the future as this situation with the volcano still has no end in sight. It could take days, weeks, or months before any sign of normality can return.

As in any emergency situation, any little bit of help counts. Funds gathered from this effort would be distributed among the families of Bangin. So it would be left to them how they would make use of the funds. Many are already thinking about relocating permanently, while others are figuring out how to rebuild their houses once the lockdown is lowered.