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Aid for volcanic hazards comes in two forms: technical aid for monitoring and forecasting and financial / goods aid. Technical aid is usually supplied by MEDC experienced in volcanic eruptions – e.g. the USGS helped with Pinatubo. This involves the use of high cost monitoring equipment and expertise to try to forecast events. Financial and other aid is used as a strategy during and after an eruption. This may need to occur over a long period compared with other natural hazards, since eruptions may continue for months at varying levels of activity. For aid to be an effective management approach governments must be willing to ask for and receive help from other nations. Indonesia has much experience with volcanic eruptions and has developed a high level of hazard mitigation within its financial resources. This involves monitoring of volcanoes and planning for how aid will be used.

Ecuador receives international aid for volcano victims

September 02, 2006

Several countries and international organizations have provided assistance to the thousands of people affected by the Tungurahua volcano eruption in Ecuador.

Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said in a Friday statement that Japan, Spain, Switzerland, China, Britain, Bolivia, Peru and the United States have jointly provided 1.4 million U.S. dollars for the volcano victims.

International organizations such as the United Nations and the Inter-American Development Bank have provided humanitarian aid.

The 5,020-meter-high Tungurahua, located in Ecuador's central area and 180 km south of the capital Quito, erupted on Aug. 16, leaving at least four people dead and two others missing. The volcanic eruption also damaged crops, killed animals, blocked roads and forced thousands of people to be evacuated from their homes.

The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said the humanitarian aid received included masks, field hospitals, family tents, medicine, plastic tanks, mattresses, non-perishable food, water purifiers, jute bags and blankets.

The volcano last erupted in 1999 and then underwent a period of relative calmness.

Its most recent lava-throwing period began in mid-July, which eventually forced the evacuation of thousands of people from nearby areas.