As Mayon alert level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) was raised in the province of Albay last January 22, 2018, the Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD) initiated to write an appeal for its partners to be able to raise funds and support for Mayon eruption IDPs (internally displaced people) especially to its member base organizations (MBOs) in the province of Albay.

Among the funding institutions and partners, Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) positively responded with the appeal granting the total amount of five hundred thousand pesos (Php 500,000.00) for the relief operations in the municipalities of Camalig and Guinobatan, Albay.

Thus, CBD, as the coordinating secretariat of the regional CSO DRR-Hub (Civil Society Organization Disaster Risk Reduction Hub) quickly transformed itself into an ERT-Emergency Response Team for the purpose of coordinating humanitarian response through organizing relief operations with ALPRODEV (Albay Provincial Network for Development) as the Provincial CSO Network member in Albay. Major preparatory activities that include planning and strategizing was headed by the Regional DRR-Hub focal persons Mr. Allan Osea and Ms. Marivic Balance, together with the CBD secretariat. Logistical preparations, such as canvass of supplies and service providers, form part of the major preparatory work of the Hub as well as the repacking of relief goods.  The operation was too challenging but it was successfully managed because of the strong participation of youth volunteers, NSTP-CWTS students of NCF (Naga College Foundation) and of course, the unwavering support of the Regional Hub members and partners.

On February 20, 2018, the actual relief operations was done successfully with the total of six hundred households (600 HHs). Four hundred thirty four (434 HHs) of it are from municipality of Guinobatan and the remaining one hundred sixty-six (166 HHs) are from Camalig, Albay. Different from the usual relief which are canned goods and noodles, this time the relief are more of condiments, spices, rice and mats, with mosquito net as the primary identified need during the Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment headed by UNOCHA to which CBD, as a local CSO, has actively participated.

Though most of the ECs-Evacuation Centers already de-camped and affected families were now instructed to return to their homes recently, helping them is still necessary since most of their properties, farms and sources of livelihood were affected. Bicol CSO DRR-Hub, through CBD, is still exploring support from partners for the recovery of IDPs who are members of the CSO network in Albay.

Jesica Capricho is the Regional Project Officer of CBD.