On 15 September, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level of Mayon Volcano (located in Albay province, Region V, Bicol) from 2 to 3, on a five-level alert system indicating that magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.
A State of Calamity was declared in 46 barangays (lowest administrative unit in the Philippines) within the 6 km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and the 6 to 8 km Extended High-Risk Zone around the volcano in three cities (Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao) and five municipalities (Malilipot, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan and Santo Domingo) according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The declaration allows local governments to access emergency funds, freeze prices on basic goods, apply for no-interest loans and request for international assistance.
The Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported a total of 9,063 families (43,872 people) were evacuated from the PDZ as of 18 September. Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fung-Wong (known locally as Mario), however, are hampering ongoing evacuation efforts.
Local authorities continue to lead the response with support from government line agencies. Based on the 2009 eruption, authorities have developed a planning scenario and identified potential challenges particularly in providing assistance inside evacuation centres for a prolonged period of time. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has pre-positioned a total of 2,000 family food packs and 1,890 sacks of rice are being transported from Manila to the affected areas. On 17 September, the NDRRMC Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Core Group identified need for additional food and non-food items (medicines, blankets, WASH hygiene kits), portable toilets, emergency health personnel and tents for alternative classrooms. At the national level, the Government activated the following clusters based on the National Disaster Response Plan: Camp Coordination and Camp Management; Food and NFI; Health; WASH; MHPSS; Nutrition; IDP Protection and Emergency Shelter; Education; and Logistics.
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) met on 19 September to identify preparedness actions to support the Government. A field visit around Mayon Volcano to further identify the immediate needs in the evacuation centres and the affected areas will be conducted by the Government and HCT members on 21 September.
The next Flash Update will be issued as soon as more information is available.
A map of the volcano and the affected areas are attached for reference. Information on Mayon Volcano alert levels is available at: http://goo.gl/rUcffO
For more information, contact: David Carden, Head of Office, carden@un.org, Mobile: +63-917-513-9924 Orla Fagan, Public Information Officer, fagano@un.org, Mobile: +63-917-597-7219
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