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The Tunguarahua volcano in Ecuador erupted on 16 August, and continued overnight before diminishing the following day. Massive clouds of ash, steam and gas (approximately 8 km high), as well as abundant lava and pyroclastic flows descended through Achupashal, Cusúa, Mandur, Bascún, Juive Grande and La Hacienda rifts. The villages of Chilibu, Choglontuz and Palitagua were severely damaged. Volcanic material was also reported in Baños and blocked the Chambo and Puela rivers producing a dam and putting several communities at risk. The provinces of Los Ríos and Bolívar have also been severely affected by ash fall.
 SITUATION REPORT 25 AUGUST 2006
Daily Highlights
- Tungurahua’s volcanic activity is currently low. Lava flows have been reported on the northwest flank. No threat to the population exists at the moment.
- Shelters are functioning, while long-term arrangements for the displaced population are being finalized.
- Health centers are meeting current sanitary needs at the same time as these facilities are strengthened with additional mobile units
- Current major challenges remain in the coordination of immediate response activities and long-term measures for displaced populations.
Summary
- Government authorities have allocated $1.99 M for relief activities.
- Presently, international aid, UN System’s support and national resources have been adequate.
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Situation Overview
Health Impact
- The Tungurahua Volcano erupted on August 16, killing 6 people and injuring 40.
- Four thousand (4,000) people have been evacuated and 75% of the population in Chimborazo and Tungurahua provinces was directly affected. The ash fall has had negative effects for an estimated 3 million people in 6 provinces near the eruption site.
Health Response to the situation
1. Shelters
- Eleven (11) shelters, offering safe water, food and medications, are serving 2,300 people. Long-term arrangements for sheltered populations remain a priority.
2. Medical Care
- Health units are managing a daily patient load of 90 new people on average. Patients mainly seek treatment for upper respiratory conditions, conjunctivitis, dermatitis and gastrointestinal infections. Mobile units have being deployed to assist health units.
- Medical and psychosocial care in shelters, especially to the infant population, is being provided by INNFA, the Ministry of Social Welfare and provincial offices.
- Disabled and handicapped people have been evacuated to special centers in Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca.
3. Preserving and supporting local Health systems
- PAHO has been working with national authorities on safe water, focusing on water quality analysis, public information campaigns on water safety and strengthening local capacity to periodically test water quality and chlorination levels in shelters.
- PAHO, together with the Ministry of Health, will be responsible for shelter health, outbreak surveillance, and water quality and sanitation.
- PADRU (IFRC-Panama) is mobilizing people to assist in water quality and sanitation.
4. Agency Assistance
- PAHO, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, will coordinate public health activities in water supply and sanitation. Measures include epidemiological surveillance, and water quality control. The health Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and situation room were established in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, and IFRC.
- UNDP will support analysis of recovery activities/programs in the affected zones.
- WFP will support relevant authorities with regard to food security and distribution.
- UNICEF will provide medical care to infants and children in shelters.
5. Coordination and Management of Response
- UNFPA will establish an EOC which will be operated by the United Nations system through the UNETE.
Required Actions
- Establishment and/or strengthening of surveillance measures for outbreak control and monitoring of displaced persons.
- Strategic planning for short-term accommodations and long-term arrangements for displaced persons utilizing shelters services.
- Continuation of activities and measures aimed at restoring water and sanitation systems.
SITUATION REPORT 21 AUGUST 2006
Since the eruption of the Tungurahua volcano on the 16th August, four deaths have been reported and at least 8 people have varying degrees of burns resulting from the eruption. An estimated 4,000 people have been relocated to shelters. To date, there are 8 shelters functioning in Tungurahua and 7 in Chimborazo which are occupied at night, but during the day people return to their homes.
Since the eruption of 14 July, there have been increased numbers of patients with respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, dermatitis and acute diarrheal diseases; however, local health services have managed to cope with these increased demands.
The Ministry of Health continues to provide medications and resources for the health units. With this last eruption, current demands for masks, protective glasses and other health care necessities have been met in various health facilities.
The water and sewage system are currently being evaluated by the appropriate authorities. For the most part, people in shelters have been receiving safe drinking water from bottled water and some rural water supply systems.
Some roads, crops and livestock have been affected; however, access to the affected areas is still possible.
Table summarizing the primary effects and needs (CHIMBORAZO)
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| General Situation |
| Community |
Principal effects |
Observations |
Priority needs |
| City of Guano |
Significant Ashfall (approx. 1 cm. deep) |
- Good community response for local clean up efforts
- Basic services not affected
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COE organized Presence of MIDUVI, DC |
Masks |
| Penipe |
Significant Ash Fall (approx. 1 cm deep) |
- Basic services have not been affected.
- Community clean-up efforts.
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COE Installed. |
Masks |
| Palictagua |
Lahar in the low-lying areas of the community which destroyed 12 dwellings, including a health center.
2 dead and 2 missing.
- Population self evacuated to a relatively safe area.
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Bridge over the Púela river was destroyed. |
Community self-evacuated to safer areas.
Lack of basic services in the low-lying areas of the community. |
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Shelters |
| Community |
Shelters |
No. Housed |
Observations |
| Guano |
- Guano Theatre
- Guano Theatre Grounds |
350 people
150 people |
- Community leaders are in control
- Basic services available.
- Shelters occupied mainly at night
- Generally adequate conditions. |
| Penipe |
- Fire Department
- Penipe School |
350 people |
- Community leaders in control.
- Generally adequate conditions with basic services available.
- Shelters occupied mainly at night. |
| Riobamba |
Galapagos Military Base |
75 people |
- Under military assistance |
| Riobamba |
Self-evacuated |
2000 persons |
- Displaced population housed with houses but will require support. |
Health |
| Guano |
The health center reports an increase in respiratory infections, conjunctivitis and diarrhea, however, there have been no instances where the increase has exceed local capacity. At the moment, it is assistance is needed for medications and medical supplies. At the moment, the health center continues to meet demands with 24 hour coverage, using 8 hours shift system. |
| Penipe |
There have been reports of increased respiratory and digestive problems as well as conjunctivitis. Limited number of medications and supplies available. |
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Table summarizing the primary impact and needs (TUNGURAHUA)
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| General Situation |
| Community |
Principal Effects |
Observations |
Priority Needs |
| Pelileo |
Limited ash fall |
Practically undisrtupted normal activity in the city |
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| El Pingüe |
Moderate ash fall, |
Limited community activities in risk areas due to Police restricted auto traffic, including routes to the city of Banos, where debris has blocked the raods. |
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| Patate |
Moderate ash and gravel fall |
Practically undisrtupted normal activity in the city |
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Shelters |
| Community |
Shelters |
No. Housed |
Observations |
| El pingue |
El Pingue |
426 people |
- Under control of community leaders.
- Generally good conditions |
| Baños |
3 Shelters:
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Police Academy
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Misael Acosta Institue
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Union hall |
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| Cotaló |
2 Shelters:
- Parish House
- Elementary school |
200 people
100 personas
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Run by local authorities. |
| Patate |
Patate School |
400 personas |
- Under control of the Ecuatorian Red Cross
- Generally adequate conditions with basic services available.
- Shelters occupied at night. |
Health |
| Albergue El Pingue |
- Medical teams have visisted and have set up a basic health clinc.
Limited water, bathroom facilities and showers |
| Penipe |
A system of medical health team visits provided by the health center staff. Generally good conditions. |
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SITUATION REPORT 18 AUGUST 2006
The Tunguarahua volcano in Ecuador erupted on August 16th, and continued overnight before diminishing the following day. One death has been reported and four people are missing. Three people have been treated for various degrees of burns and approximately 50 persons have received medical attention for minor traumas, respiratory problems or for psychological counselling. About 4,000 people have been evacuated from the slopes of the Tungurahua volcano. 80 people from the city of Baños have been relocated to a shelter in Mera, in the Pastaza province. Most of the evacuated persons are housed with relatives or friends. 200 volunteers are assisting the shelters. It is estimated that 676,000 people (out of a total population of 930,000 people) may be affected, within the provinces of Chimborazo and Tunguarahua.
Massive clouds of ash, steam and gas (approximately 8 km of altitude), as well as abundant lava and pyroclastic flows descended through Achupashal, Cusúa, Mandur, Bascún, Juive Grande and La Hacienda rifts. The villages of Chilibu, Choglontuz and Palitagua are reported to have been destroyed. Volcanic material was also reported in Baños and has blocked the rivers Chambo and Puela producing a dam and putting several communities at risk and cutting off the roads between Baños and Riobamba and Ambato. The provinces of Los Ríos and Bolívar have also been severely affected by ash fall. The airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca have closed its operations.
Health Sector
The Health Emergency Operations Centers have activated their emergency plans in both provinces. Medical teams have been deployed to the shelters. Local health services have been reinforced to attend to the affected population. Injured persons have been treated and rapid needs assessments have been completed and medical teams have been deployed with masks and water for the shelters.
A PAHO technical mission has been dispatched to the provinces to help with the rapid response, and to follow up on the Rapid Needs Assessment for health. The mission will integrate with the UNETE team and other organizations to channel health needs requirements (masks, portable water analysis).
National Response
The national response has been significant and the country appears to be on top of the situation, thanks to years of disaster planning and training by PAHO which has a resident technical officer in disaster response based at the PAHO office in Quito. The government has decreed a “Disaster Zone” in Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces and has transferred 2 million dollars for emergency work across the local government offices. This is in addition to the 4.5 million dollars already given for emergency response due to the eruption on July 14th.
The national response continues to be addressed by the Provincial Emergency Operation Committees in Tungurahua and Chimborazo with the support of the National Police, the Army and authorities.
Cantonal Emergency Operation Committees (COEs) are still activated in Tisaleo, Cevallos, Quero, Mocha, Pelileo, and Baños in Tungurahua, and Penipe and Guano in Chimborazo. The Civil Defense is providing broad support to the COEs and to the local Civil Defense in the affected areas.
At this time, assistance in the evaluation of water systems to determine the level of contamination and for medical supplies (antibiotics, analgesics, eye drops, skin creams) and sundries, including requests for 600,000 masks to protect citizens from the toxic gases, are mostly being met by local, provincial and national resources.
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