OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Ecuador - Volcano Tungurahua
16 August 2001


Situation

1.  The Tungurahua volcano is situated 180 Kilometers from Quito at 5,020
meters above sea level. Since early August its seismic activity has been
on the increase (the alert level has been at yellow - volcano is restless,
eruption may occur - since October 2000).The US Geological Survey's
Volcano Hazards Program reports that ongoing eruptions are sending
steam-and-ash clouds to 7.5-11.6 km above sea level.

2.  People as well as cattle are being affected by the ash fall (overall
population in the areas concerned: 42,000), which has covered more than
35,000 hectares of cultivated land, causing the loss of crops.

3.  Some 3,000 houses are reported to have been damaged.


National response

4.  On 14 August the President of Ecuador declared the state of emergency
in the seven communities most threatened by the volcano: Quero, Cevallos,
Mocha, Pelileo and Tisaleo in the Tungurahua Province and Penipe and Guano
in the Chimborazo Province.

5.  The Government has launched an emergency plan to assist 20,000 people
who have been evacuated. The Government and WFP are providing food
supplies and the Ministry of Health has distributed masks to protect
people from respiratory problems.


Request for International Assistance

6.  Thus far, the Government of Ecuador has not requested international
assistance.


Contributions

7.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Website at http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
  Mr. Erik Haegglund / Ms. Masayo Kondo
  Direct tel: +41-22-917 32 99 / 13 83 / 19 97

Press contact:
  Ms. M. Moulin-Acedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 60


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