Philippines brace themselves for disaster

legazpi city - The Philippines are preparing for an emergency that can last three months in areas around the Mayon volcano, which is erupting. As a result, 81,000 people have already been evacuated and the emergency reception locations have been overcrowded, reports the disaster agency.

The 2462 meter high Mayon mountain spews ash and lava. The local residents are housed in 69 shelters, but hygiene there leaves more and more to be desired. There are mostly too few toilets.

People are mainly housed in schools, but tent camps have also been set up.

Despite warnings, there are also people who refuse to leave the area, for example because they do not want to leave their crops or cattle behind.