The amount of assistance provided by the national and local government units to families affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9 has exceeded P7.3 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported yesterday.

In its update, the agency said this assistance is broken down into P6.43 million in Western Visayas, consisting of family food packs, hygiene and sleeping kits, and P883,658.51 for Central Visayas.

“Figures are subject to change due to ongoing validation,” the disaster response body said.

Western Visayas also got P364,000 worth of face masks from the government.

As of this posting, the NDRRMC said Kanlaon’s eruption has so far affected 11,791 families residing in 26 barangays in Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

These families are equivalent to 40,489 persons.

Seeking shelter in the 27 evacuation centers are 4,612 families, equivalent to 15,440 persons.

About 677 families, or 2,522 persons, are being aided outside evacuation centers. (PNA)