ReliefWeb

Appeal Target: US$ 201,177

Balance requested: US$181,177

Geneva, 06 September 2006

Dear Colleagues,

For several weeks, Mayon Volcano has continued to emit lava. On August 14, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Bicol (PHIVOLCS) said that Mayon's seismic activity was entering its most dangerous phase after weeks of ejecting lava and ash. PHIVOLCS has sustained alert level 4, signifying "intense unrest" with a "hazardous eruption within days." The 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone has also been extended to an 8-kilometer radius. Although the major eruption has not yet occurred, destruction to crops has already been recorded and has caused the evacuation of families.

Based on the August 21update released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 9,905 families (48,261 individuals) from 32 barangays of the five affected municipalities and three cities have been evacuated to 29 evacuation centres all over Albay Province.

While volcanic activity seems to have lessened, it will take time before alert levels can be conclusively brought down. Evacuees will also not be allowed to go back to their land as lava flow is still fresh and possibility of hazards still remain high. It is thus looking to be a protracted evacuation process. There will also be a major need to support post-disaster rehabilitation.

The revised appeal include a proposal from Christian Aid/ACT. ACT member Christian Aid is working through its local partner Community Organizers of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE). COPE mobilized staff and volunteers to assist in evacuation camp operations in Legazpi City and neighboring towns as well as for relief distribution in co-ordination with the Social Action Center of the Catholic Church. They propose to respond during three months and intend to fill gaps in others’ response. They will focus on distribution of mattresses, hygiene kits, some psychosocial activities as well as livelihood inputs .

ACT member National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) is through this appeal responding to the needs of the evacuees through Andurog Mayon, the NCCP Disaster Response Committee in Albay Province. NCCP/ACT provide assistance to around 4,000 families through the distribution of food, non-food items and medical assistance; agriculture assistance to around 1,000 farmers/farm-workers through the distribution of seeds, seedlings and other farm inputs; food-for-work assistance to 1,000 families; conduct disaster management seminars for volunteers and communities.

Project Completion Date:

NCCP/ACT - 30 June 2007
Christian Aid/ACT – 30 November 2006

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts: US dollar Account Number - 240-432629.60A IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A Euro Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together UBS AG 8, rue du Rhône P.O. Box 2600 1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal. We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind co-operation. For further information please contact: ACT Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Program Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916) ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org John Nduna Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office (pdf* format - 295 KB)