Philippine authorities have begun evacuating around 50,000 people from around Mayon volcano, after it started releasing lava and clouds of ash on 15 December 2009.
Mayon is the most active of the 22 volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted 49 times since the first documented eruption in 1616.
Volcanologists are expecting a major eruption in the next few days. The last time Mayon erupted was in 2006.
Residents are being evacuated from 45 towns and cities with a radius of 6km around Mayon, including Legazpi, Ligao, Tabaco, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Santo Domingo. Fleeing residents are being temporarily housed in school buildings and public gymnasiums, where local officials have set up food and relief centres.
World Vision is closely monitoring the situation.
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.