Update: Volcano in the Philippines
Philippine authorities have begun evacuating around 50,000 people from around Mayon volcano, after it started releasing lava on 15 December 2009. Fleeing residents are being temporarily housed in school buildings and public gymnasiums, where local officials have set up food and relief centres.
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Background
The Mayon volcano is in Albay Province, in the Bicol Region, on the island of Luzon.
The Philippines is situated on the “Ring of Fire”, an arc of faultlines in the Pacific Ocean that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Mayon’s most devastating eruption was in 1814, when several towns were devastated and more than 1,200 people were killed.
World Vision has been working in the Philippines since 1954 and currently runs 48 long term development programs in communities and other projects in health, child labour, education and economic development.
World Vision directly assists over 121,000 children and their communities through child sponsorship programs, with overall programs benefits impacting over 14 million people.
World Vision's response
World Vision is closely monitoring the situation.
Children sponsored by Australians
There are no programs where Australian sponsored children live in close vicinity to the volcano. World Vision will continue to monitor the safety and wellbeing of all sponsored children. Please be assured that if we receive information of concern regarding any sponsored children we will contact sponsors immediately.
How you can help
Support for the Emergency & Preparedness Fund enables World Vision to prepare for emergencies by pre-stocking and positioning life-saving supplies and ensuring trained staff are available to be on the scene quickly, to respond to emergencies.
Find out more about our Emergency & Preparedness Fund or donate now.