05/14/2013 21:36 GMT

by Jennifer GONZALEZ COVARRUBIAS

Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, May 14, 2013 (AFP) - Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has blown steam for days, prompting authorities to prepare for possible evacuations, but residents are used to their towering neighbor's rumblings and keep fearlessly heading to work.

Popocatepetl, which means "smoking mountain" in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, spewed more steam, gas and ash that rose three kilometers (two miles) above the crater early Tuesday, according to the National Disaster Prevention Center.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• GUATEMALA: 6,910 people affected by natural disasters in first part of May.

• ECUADOR & MEXICO: Alert for increase in activity in Tungurahua and Popocatepetl Volcanoes.

• COSTA RICA & COLOMBIA: Dengue increase - 6,150 cases in Costa Rica and 664,000 in Colombia.

(Extract)

II. EFFECTS

On the day of the ash explosion, there were a total of twenty-one (21) reported multi-national tourists and local climbers within the six (6) km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Of this number, five (5) were reported dead, nine (9) were injured, and seven (7) were unharmed.

On or about about 1:40 PM, 09 May 2013 the five (5) cadavers had been brought down to TOG 5 by two (2) PAF helicopters and were immediately transported to a local funeral parlor.

(Extract)

II. EFFECTS

On the day of the ash explosion, there were a total of twenty-one (21) reported multi-national tourists and local climbers within the six (6) km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Of this number, five (5) were reported dead, nine (9) were injured, and seven (7) were unharmed. The missing Thai National was rescued alive but suffered burn injuries and broken right arm while the other five (5) missing unidentified individuals were already identified and found unharmed.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• GUATEMALA: 1,520 people affected by rains, 90 evacuated and 70 in shelters.

• ECUADOR: Lack of rain is affecting several regions in Loja, with an estimated 80 per cent in crops losses.

• GUATEMALA: Red alert in the department of Peten for fires, authorities are combating 12 forest fires.

(Extract)

lI. EFFECTS

A total of twenty-seven (27) hikers were on the volcano and requested assistance for rescue. As of reporting time, a total of te: 11:1113 casualties were reported (5 dead, 5 injured) while individuals were reportedly unharmed. Among the dead individuals were four (4) German nationals and a Filipino tour guide.

HIGHLIGHTS:

 ECUADOR: 1,070 people affected by latest floods. In 2013, more than 11,000 people have been affected.

 GUATEMALA & COLOMBIA: The Fuego and Nevado del Ruiz volcanos have intensified activities.

 HONDURAS: Yellow alert in the department of Atlantida for seismic activities.

Introduction.

More than 500 million people live within the potential exposure range of a volcano. The risk of catastrophic losses in future eruptions is significant given population growth, proximities of major cities to volcanoes, and the possibility of larger eruptions. The objectives of this review are to describe the impact of volcanoes on the human population, in terms of mortality, injury, and displacement and, to the extent possible, identify risk factors associated with these outcomes. This is one of five reviews on the human impact of natural disasters.

Methods.