FOUNTAIN VALLEY, July 3, 2001--Katipunan USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Philippines through various humanitarian projects. Last Christmas, Katipunan USA raised money for Nene Langansan to come to the United States for much needed heart surgery. Doctors, facility, and medicine were all donated by local Los Angeles health professionals. Recently, Katipunan-USA held a Hip Hop fundraiser to benefit Cabanatuan City orphanage in the Philippines.

Another emergency has come to Katipunan-USA's attention. The 8,000 feet Mayon Volcano began spewing truck-sized rocks and flaming ash a week ago, forcing more than 41,000 villagers to flee the area.

Currently, The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has the volcano placed under the alert level five, meaning that "a hazardous eruption is in progress". A six-km radius (3.7 mile) is considered as no-man's land and eight-km radius the danger zone.

High incidents of respiratory infection and diarrhea are prevalent in the evacuation centers near the volcano. Conditions in these centers are overcrowded. According to Philippine officials, there are limited number of toilets and washrooms are clogged, with drinking water supply running low.

Katipunan-USA will be aiding victims of the Mayon Volcano erruption by contributing to the Catholic Relief Services Philippines Volcano Eruption project. If you would like to help, please mail your check to Katipunan-USA or Catholic Relief Services/Philippines indicating Mayon Volcano project.

Katipunan-USA
P.O. Box 8701
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
http://www.katipunan-usa.org
714-839-2615

Catholic Relief Services/Philippines
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
http://www.catholicrelief.org/where/philip/index.cfm
1-800-736-3467