Negros Occidental children bear brunt of Kanlaon eruption in evacuation centers

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The crisis gripped Negros Occidental with a chilling force, as the December 9, 2024 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano displaced thousands, turning lives upside down. Among the hardest hit: infants, toddlers, and school-aged children.

Inside the 11 evacuation centers of La Castellana, where 6,734 residents sought refuge, the faces of children told a story of deep uncertainty. The world they once knew had been shattered, and in its place, they faced a new reality shaped by disaster.

Of all the towns in Negros Occidental, La Castellana was hit hardest by the eruption – a municipality left to struggle with the aftermath of nature’s fury.

For Emily Tan, the town’s social welfare chief, each day brings a battle to restore some semblance of normalcy for the young evacuees.

“It’s not easy,” she told Rappler on Monday, January 6. “But we have no choice but to do our best to protect the infants and toddlers and ensure the children stay engaged.”

Among the displaced are 109 infants, 324 toddlers, 517 preschoolers, 1,110 elementary school students, and 818 teenagers aged 13 to 17.

 The local government has scrambled to address their needs, prioritizing breastfeeding for infants, free diapers, and formula milk for older babies.

In the evacuation centers of La Castellana, breastfeeding has been mandated for lactating mothers, while free diapers and formula milk are provided for infants and toddlers. 

There, the local government tries to ensure access to child-friendly spaces, regular activities like games and art contests, and psychological support from volunteer professionals.

“We see to it that all necessary interventions for them to cope with the ongoing crisis are provided, despite the challenges we face,” Tan said.

Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral said the Department of Health (DOH) is focusing on vaccinating children and teenagers against various diseases. The DOH also provides therapeutic food to malnourished children and plans to supplement feeding programs with locally available ingredients.

To help children process their experiences, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) organized a poster-making contest last December 28, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints evacuation center. Themed “Hope Amidst Ashes,” it allowed children to express their feelings and envision a brighter future.

Dr. Donalyn Lastima, president of Hearticulate Psychological Center in Bacolod, said creative activities like art are effective tools for helping children navigate emotional and mental challenges during crises.

Art therapy allows children to connect with their emotions and express themselves in a non-judgmental, free-flowing way, Lastima said.

Meanwhile, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan issued an executive order, lifting the suspension of classes in public and private schools in the town effective Monday.

The order outlines different learning modalities based on proximity to the six-kilometer danger zone around Kanlaon. Schools within the zone will adopt modular or online learning, while those outside will use blended or in-person classes.

Despite the ongoing challenges, including 37 recorded volcanic quakes and sulfur dioxide emissions as of Sunday, January 5, relief workers focused on providing stability and support for the displaced children and their families. – Rappler.com