Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

Philippines: Eruption Of Volcano is Imminent

Philippines: UN Helps Local Officials Prepare For Imminent Eruption Of Volcano

New York, Dec 21 2009 5:10PM United Nations humanitarian officials are working with authorities in the Philippines to prepare for what scientists believe to be the imminent eruption of Mount Mayon, an active volcano within close reach of tens of thousands of people.

Stockpiles of supplies have been pre-positioned for the estimated 120,000 people living in the danger zone who are being evacuated, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported today.

OCHA has already helped carry out an assessment last month in Albay province, where the Mayon volcano is situated, and is working with officials from the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the regional government, which have being organizing the evacuations.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are also working with local officials to provide targeted assistance to those in need once the volcano erupts.

Yesterday volcanologists and seismologists raised the alert level for Mount Mayon to level 4, which means an eruption is expected within hours to days.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.