The European Union (EU) has provided 750,000 euros or more than ₱42 million for residents affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas. The funding, coursed through the Spanish Red Cross, aims to deliver immediate assistance through the provision of emergency shelter and essential household items, such as mats and blankets, hygiene kits and access to clean water, the EU said in a statement.
Psychosocial support services will also be provided, as well as child protection activities. It is part of the Acute Large Emergency Response Tool (ALERT), which it uses to respond to large natural disasters where over 100,000 people or over 50 percent of the population are affected. Depending on the type of disaster, the aim is to allocate funds within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the emergency, the EU explained.
Taal Volcano, the second most active volcano in the country and located around 50 kilometers south of Manila, erupted on Jan. 12 and 13, displacing 376,327 people or 98,187 families. It also left ₱3.2 billion worth of damage to agriculture in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
 has provided 750,000 euros or more than ₱42 million for residents affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas.){kind=link}