The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) immediately dispatched a humanitarian caravan to provide essential needs to the people preemptively evacuated in Albay.
 

This action was made after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday, Sept. 20 that Mayon Volcano has shown signs of unrest.

Led by PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon, the organization immediately organized a humanitarian caravan, dispatching basic necessities, clean water, food, and healthcare resources to aid the evacuees since the first day of the crisis.

Gordon boosted the evacuees' spirits by emphasizing that "hope is the only way out of the current crisis."

"Do not let your hope get dampened by your surroundings or the mood of the people around you get the better of you. Be a thermostat, which controls temperature, rather than a thermometer, which simply reflects the temperature," he said.

"The Red Cross will be with you, for as our hymn says, 'When the world no longer watches, we do what must be done," he added.

 Furthermore, Gordon reassured the evacuees that the PRC remains dedicated to being a lifeline during this time of crisis, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and a positive outlook amidst the challenging circumstances.

As of Sept. 19, the PRC had provided 2,580,500 liters of water tankers, 81,352 hot meals, hygiene promotion to 13,342 persons, psychological first aid to 4,016 children and 1,521 adults, and 3,662 feminine kits.

Other humanitarian aids includd 2,531 dengue brochures, welfare services to 2,474 individuals, 2,436 sleeping kits, 2,436 water containers, 2,393 cough and colds brochures, menstrual hygiene management lectures to 1,389 individuals, and 1,210 hygiene kits.