Instead of waiting for the Taal Volcano to erupt, churches and ministries are working to keep Filipinos safe.

Dark grey plumes are reaching 800-meters in the sky above the volcano, filling the air with smoke and debris. The difficulties the pre-eruption is causing will be small compared to what could happen when it erupts. In 1911 when the volcano first erupted, over one thousand people were killed. Authorities are asking citizens to evacuate quickly as it is not possible to give an exact time for the eruption.

The pending volcano is making it difficult for some people in the Philippines to breathe. Operation Blessing says "ash can be dangerous to people" and believes these masks will help. The organization traveled to the region from nearby Manila to distribute supplies.
 
Other churches in the area are contributing to evacuation efforts. One church has set up an evacuation center, and others are collecting donations. The Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, a popular tourist destination, is covered in ash because of the volcano.

Kalinga ng Mahal na Ina ng Birhen ng Lourdes - Evacuation Center

Posted by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Tagaytay City on Monday, January 13, 2020
 
 
Taal Volcano is currently a Level 4 risk for an eruption. The Philipino Institute for Volcanology and Seismology warns that the volcano will erupt in a matter of days, or even hours. They also say the volcano will most likely cause a tsunami for the island nation.
The volcano itself is uniquely situated on an island inside of another island. When the volcano erupts, it can create waves reaching bordering towns. Reuters says almost 40,000 people in the area have already been evacuated, but many are risking their lives and returning to their homes. 
The Philipino Institute for Volcanology and Seismology is asking residents to stay at least 14 kilometers away from the Permanent Danger Zone and the Manilla Airport has been closed. Airplanes cannot fly above the region as there is a high probability for the craft to be hit by spewing rock and ash.
The Taal Volcano showed signs of a pending eruption on Sunday and the PIVS issued the Level 4 warning two days later.

Near #Manila, #Philippines, the #TaalVolcano is erupting, sending clouds of ash high in to the sky. This ash can be...

Posted by Operation Blessing on Monday, January 13, 2020