December 26, 2009MAYON ERUPTION 2009 UPDATEAPPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OFMAYON ERUPTION

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted as Mayon Volcano critical status intensifies further.Hazardous explosive eruption of the volcanean type within days is very possible. Lavafountain and ash explosion now reaches about 1 kilometer from the crater. Hundreds of low frequency earthquakes and tremors are recorded almost daily. Rumbling sounds isvery audible even in the expanded high risk zone (6-8 kilometers). Lava flow downslope is now reaching about 6 kilometers from the summit now reaching about 20million tones.Total number of evacuees by now is 10,032 families or 47,562 individualsdistributed in 27 overcrowded evacuation centers coming from 32 barangays/villages.According to authorities, the evacuees will stay at the evacuation centers for 45 daysminimum to 87 days maximumThe evacuees needs include foodstuff, mats/beddings, water containers/drinkingwater, personal hygiene kit, medicines.

Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR) continues to appeal for help for the

victims of Mayon eruption. Please send your donations in cash or in kind to.

For cash donations .Account Name: Bicol Movement for Disaster Response, Inc.,Peso Savings Account:138-13800481-8Dollar Savings Account: 138-2-1380081-8Bank: Metro Bank Legazpi City BranchRizal St., Legazpi City, PhilippinesFor material donations:Bicol Movement for Disaster Response, Inc.,c/o Tess Pielago,Coordinator,Mobile No.+639086199038664 Encarnacion Bldg., . Rizal St., Legazpi City

Contact Person: Marites L. PielagoRegional Coordinator

Mayon volcano evacuees sleep at Bagumbayan Elementary School as an evacuation center before dawnon Christmas day Friday Dec. 25, 2009 in Legazpi city, Albay province southeast of Manila, Philippines.Tens of thousands of evacuees spent their Christmas in different evacuation centers after the country'smost active volcano began spewing ash last week and coupled with continuing lava flow.Lava continues to cascade further down the slopes of Mayon volcano as viewed in Legazpi city, Albayprovince, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Manila, Philippines, before dawn Friday Dec. 25,2009. Security forces will forcibly evacuate thousands of residents reluctant to leave their farms aroundthe slopes of the country's most active volcano despite fears of a major eruption, officials said.