WITH Mayon Volcano beginning to erupt at its summit, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has launched its humanitarian operations to help affected communities in Albay.
In a statement, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said that they have already prepared assistance operations for at least 10,000 residents living within six kilometers of the permanent danger zones of Mayon Volcano.
"We immediately dispatched a humanitarian caravan after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert for Mayon Volcano to Level 3," said Gordon.
"We are always ready and prepared to help. We are always ready for any situation,” he added.
The PRC chair said they have already sent four water tankers with five water bladders, two water filtration units, and tap stands; four food trucks; two Travis multipurpose vans with health supplies, including goggles; three trucks with 2,500 sleeping kits and hygiene kits; and a 6x6 truck carrying 2,500 jerry cans.
"It is better to be over-prepared in times of crisis, so we are sending the humanitarian caravan as early as now to ensure that logistics are prepositioned should the situation in Albay turn worse,” said Gordon.
For her part, PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang related that PRC volunteers are already prepared to immediately respond.
“Our team is prepared and is already moving as early as now to ensure that no one will be displaced," said Pang.
On Friday, Phivolcs said the current activity observed in Mayon Volcano is already considered an eruption.
This was after Phivolcs raised Mayon Volcano's status to Alert Level 3 due to "an increased tendency towards hazardous eruption."(HDT)