2024 Eruption of Mt. Kanlaon

Rising 8,087ft. above sea level, Mt. Kanlaon in the province of Negros is the highest mountain peak in the Visayas. On the evening of June 3, 2024, Mt. Kanlaon erupted, sending an ash plume more than 3 miles high into the sky and five more eruptions followed that night. In the wee hours of June 4, the Alert Level was raised to 2 so local government officials ordered the mandatory evacuation of all residents living within a 1.9mi radius of the volcano.

Though our home base of Bacolod City is 32km northwest of the volcano as the crow flies, we still felt the effects of the eruption. As we packed Mingo to take to evacuation centers, ash and coarse pebbles rained down on our roof.

June 4 Emergency Relief Efforts

The volcano made a lot of noise the previous night but when we arrived to bring emergency supplies to evacuation centers, all was quiet. We visited four evacuation centers: a school in the municipality of La Castellana as well as three evacuation centers in La Carlota City. That morning, we served a total of 5,103 Mingo Meals to 216 families (912 individuals). By midday, most of the family packed up to go back home. We hoped that it would be the last we would hear from the volcano for a long time.

Lahar Flows

Unfortunately, it began to rain in the afternoon of June 5 and the rain mixed with volcanic ash. As a result, ‘lahar’ flooded surrounding areas. Families who had just gotten back from evacuation centers the previous day had to rush back to safety. The rescue teams brought 43 families (172 individuals) from several barangays to a high school in La Castellana. Our emergency relief team was waiting for them there. With the help of the police, we distributed Mingo, face masks (to prevent inhalation of volcanic ash) and potable water. Because lahar had filled rivers and streams, it was difficult to find clean drinking water.

Emergency Response in Numbers

Latest Developments

Our emergency relief team continued to visit the evacuation centers. In the course of a little over two weeks, the team visited different evacuation centers several times. We cooperated with government agencies, other NGOs and private enterprises, to make the evacuees as comfortable as possible during their stay at evacuation centers. As June drew to a close, many families had already returned home.

Unfortunately, many of the families in the region rely on the land for their livelihood and the ash fall burned most of their crops. What was once a lush landscape is now a sea of brown. Livestock had to be left behind as the families rushed to safety. Sadly, some of these animals may have died or gotten loose. Many families will have to start from scratch, and we hope to help them get back on their feet in the months to come.

Going Beyond Emergency Relief

With the leftover donations for Kanlaon emergency relief, we are working to help the families get back on their feed. We are doing this in collaboration with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of La Castellana.

So far, we have been able to provide seeds and fertilizers to two families. And we will be sending basic farm tools to some families in need. Many families have been affected by this eruption and our funds our limited. If you’d like to help, donations may be coursed through NVC Foundation – US or sent directly to NVC Philippines by clicking on the link: Donate – NVC Foundation – A Philippine Charity (nvcfoundation-ph.org)