At least 20 families whose homes were destroyed in a recent fire received financial assistance Friday from the National Housing Authority (NHA) to aid in their recovery.

NHA general manager Joeben Tai directed the agency’s Negros Occidental District Office to release a total of P600,000 in aid. Each family received P30,000 under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The program is designed to provide immediate relief for temporary shelter and initial rebuilding costs for households affected by fires, earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters.

In a statement released Friday, the agency said the funding aims to help displaced families restart their lives following the loss of their homes.

The distribution coincides with Holiday Hazards Prevention Month as NHA officials urged the public to remain vigilant against fire risks and other hazards during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.