Philippines' Mayon volcano to erupt within days; World Vision is ready

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines , Dec. 21 /CNW/ - World Vision is preparing to respond to the possible eruption of the Philippines ' Mayon volcano over the Christmas holidays, sending an assessment team and offering assistance as one of the first international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to arrive in Albay Province.

"We are pooling a list of volunteer staff who will serve as first and second responders should we conduct a relief operation in Albay (where the volcano is located). Sharing their vacation time this Christmas season will be their gift to survivors," says Jose Bersales, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director at World Vision Philippines .

Philippine authorities raised the alert level around the country's most active volcano on Sunday to Level Four, which indicates an eruption is imminent. Level Five means an eruption is underway. Bersales met with the provincial disaster coordination council and had been informed that more than 40,000 people who live near the volcano have been evacuated. Media reports, however, say that not everyone is listening and some villagers were seen in the danger zone checking their homes and farms.

World Vision does not have any long-term development projects in the immediate vicinity of the volcano, but a relief assessment team has already been sent to see what it can do help. The international relief, development and advocacy organization could assist in the evacuation and registration of evacuees and camp management for the displaced should the volcano erupt. The team is discussing collaboration with local relief groups and may also send staff at from our nearest project which is 45 km away from Mayon.

    
    -  World Vision donors support more than 106,500 children in the
       Philippines, including 21,750 children sponsored by Canadians. It has
       been working in the Philippines for more than 50 years.

    -  World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy
       organization dedicated to working with children, families and
       communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all
       people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
    

For further information: or to interview World Vision staff, please contact: Yoko Kobayashi, [phone] ext. 2151, [phone] (cell), [email protected]