Families evacuated as Mayon Volcano threatens to erupt

Photo by Donnie, Haveria/World Vision

 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Alert Level 3 which means that the tendency for eruption has increased. Located in Albay province in the Bicol Region, Mayon Volcano is considered as the most active volcano in the Philippines.

 

The bureau reported that there have been three phreatic eruptions and 158 rockfall events between January 13 and 14, local time. Mayon’s summit crater has also started showing bright crater glow which is an indication of the volcano’s relatively high unrest.

 

Donnie Haveria, World Vision staff in Albay shared, “The smell of sulfur is strong in Ligao which is about an hour away from our assisted area. Rain has also been persistent in the Bicol region in the past month which makes things even worse.”

 

The provincial government of Albay has started evacuating residents within the 6 kilometer permanent danger zone on Saturday. With the alert level raised, evacuation of people within the 7 kilometer danger zone is already enforced. More than 17,000 individuals have already evacuated to safe areas.

 

“World Vision continues to monitor the situation on the ground. If needed and if it is safe, our rapid assessment team is ready to be deployed,” says Ligaya Munez, World Vision Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director (OIC).

 

It was in November 2014 that the volcano last threatened the region, forcing more than 15,000 people to live in evacuation centres for nearly a month. World Vision, in partnership with the local government and USAID provided emergency essentials, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and constructed water sanitation and health facilities to help address the pressing needs of the displaced families.

 

World Vision staff and assisted children are safe and all are accounted for. The nearest World Vision-assisted Area Programme (AP ) in the province Albay is located in the town of Pio Duran, about 30 kilometers away from the volcano site. World Vision Canada currently supports about 2,038 children and their families in AP Albay.World Vision/January 16, 2018

 

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