Volcano Tungurahua - August 2006

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 were also severely affected by ash fall.

Health Effects of Disasters

	A short technical guide focused on the principal health hazards of volcanic eruptions, together with the basic planning measures the health sector can and should take to reduce potential effects.
	Natural Disasters: Protecting the Public's Health PAHO’s flagship publication on managing the health effects of disasters, it has been translated into several languages.
	Management of Dead Bodies A PAHO/WHO manual that calls attention to this disaster management issue and encourages authorities to make it part of disaster plans and a key component of humanitarian assistance.
	Management of Dead Bodies after Natural Disasters A new PAHO/WHO/ICRC field operations manual for first responders.
	Humanitarian Supply Management and Logistics in the Health Sector Guidelines on basic aspects of the logistics of humanitarian supply management at each level of the logistics "chain."
	Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disasters This volume distills what is known about environmental health during an emergency or disaster. The volume is intended for practitioners, as well as for policy makers and researchers, and thus covers both general and technical aspects of environmental health.

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