In conjunction with DSWD Alfonso, RIMM received a list of commodity items urgently requested by the evacuees which included sleeping mats, blankets, underwear of all ages, size and gender and pails and dippers for sanitary use.

RIMM immediately provided pails and dippers while however requested further assistance to our district 3810. Governor Liza Elorde swiftly responded and the district’s relief team provided a truck load of sleeping mats, underwear and diapers.

Gina Vedan of DSWD Alfonso further requested plastic plates as while there are enough food supply, the evacuees were eating out from plastic bags using their hands. On the same day of the district giving, RIMM immediately purchased 1,000 plastic plates and distributed them to evacuees through Gina.

As daily needs change often with the situation of the evacuation site, RIMM will continue working closely with DSWD Alfonso.

The electrical posts were affected by the frequent tremors along Aguinaldo Highway and power outage started the following day. Academy of World Healing Foundation (AWH) which provides its facility to RIMM as its headquarters had 5 consecutive days of blackout and all the communication lines were cut.

RIMM members who stay at AWH in this season went immediately to assist evacuees from Talisay and Laurel, Batangas province where volcanic activities were intense.

More than 6,000 evacuated to the municipality of Alfonso and RIMM coordinated with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare Development) to find the actual needs at the evacuation site mainly in its town proper where 2,000+ have been sheltered, and provide them including pales/dippers, garbage bags, hygiene kits and water.

Food has been supplied by the municipality and some private donations. There seemed to be enough supplies of drinking water, extra clothing and face masks.

As of January 16 (Day 5), they were still in need of sleeping mats, blankets and underwear for all ages and genders.