OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Ecuador - Volcanic Eruption
5 November 2002


Eruptive process of 'El Reventador' volcano continues

1. Volcanic ash continued to fall throughout yesterday over Quito and
other cities located west and southwest of El Reventador volcano, which
continued registering high levels of activity, spewing more ash into the
atmosphere. The activity decreased in the afternoon. (Source: Geophysical
Institute of Ecuador).

2. Heavy damages are reported in the agricultural sector. Several water
supply systems have been contaminated and crops and pastures have been
covered by considerable amounts of ash in an area where farming and cattle
raising are the main economic activities. (Source: National Civil Defence)


National Response

3. Emergency operations centers have been activated in the provinces of
Pichincha, Sucumbios and Napo, and in the city of Quito. Total population
in the affected area is 2 million, of whom 1.4 million are in Quito. The
civil defense system has begun providing immediate relief assistance to
the affected population in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Red Cross. On
4 November, the Civil Defence and the Metropolitan Municipality of Quito
convened a meeting in order to coordinate response activities.

4. The Ministry of Health is focusing all its efforts on the provision of
health services and safe water to the affected population. Some 20 mobile
health units have been dispatched to the areas affected. Medicines and
masks are being distributed to the population. The quality of air and
water is being monitored regularly. Persons affected by ash fall are
receiving attention in the emergency services of main hospitals. (Source:
WHO/PAHO)

5. The Civil Aviation authorities have re-routed all international air
traffic with destination to Quito to the Simon Bolivar International
Airport in the city of Guayaquil.

6. On 4 November the UN Disaster Management Team held a meeting in order
to coordinate the UN's response to this emergency. The security phase I is
in effect in the above three provinces affected. OCHA keeps close contact
with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Quito.

7. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet 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:
  Mr. E. Haegglund / Mr. R Mena / Ms. M. Kondo
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 14 55 / 19 97

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


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