Last week, a barge containing bunker oil spilled 200,000 gallons on the waters and shore of Estancia, covering four communities or "barangays". The fumes were and still are dangerous enough to have forced the evacuation of over 100,000 people, now living in a dozen small "tent cities". These facilities are nothing but tents in muddy lots, with no possibility for the holding of animals, now left behind in the exclusion zone.
Access to this exclusion zone is restricted to short periods wearing masks. However, we’ve identified farm and domestic animals left behind and in need of assistance. Check out Director of Disaster Management, Gerardo Huertas, as he assesses animals left behind:
After meeting with the city major and provincial veterinary authorities, we have confirmed an intervention to provide immediate food for the animals left in the exclusion zones that otherwise will die from starvation.
We'll keep you updated on the situation as it develops.
