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Quito, 17 August of 2015

17:30

PRESS RELEASE - INFORMATION ON COTOPAXI VOLCANO

The Republic of Ecuador has issued a preventive yellow alert due to the

heighten presence of volcanic activity of the Cotopaxi, located approximately 45

km of the capital city of Quito, which caused the emission of ash and pyroclastic

material throughout the weekend of the 14-17 August.

In light of the increased activity, the authorities executed a plan on preventive

evacuation on Saturday, the 15 of august, of the residents living in zones near

the volcano. This preventive measure was taken place due to safety concerns

with the presence of pyroclastic flows –which can produce thaws and lahars.

As a preventive measure the President Rafael Correa Delgado has also signed

Executive Decree 755, in which he declared a State of Exception due to the

increased activity of the volcano; this decree allows the swift movement of

financial resources in case of a national emergency, with exception of those

attributed to the educational and health sectors. Likewise, the decree allows for

a better management and distribution of factual information.

The Ministry of Security Coordination, as the official Spokesmen of the

emerging situation, has informed that there will be a continuous and permanent

monitoring of the volcanic activity, permitting government authorities to make

decisions with up-to-date information. In this context, the Ministry of Security

Coordination and the Secretary of Risk Management have executed 03 flyovers

of the zone nearby the volcano and have visited the zones of potential risk

where the authorities addressed the various concerns presented by the

residents of these communities and informed them of the preventive measures

taking place, safe zones, and available shelters.

In an overall assessment of the emerging situation the Secretary of Risk

Management has maintained the preventive yellow alert and in this sense all

activities continue to be carried out with normality within all sectors (education,

work, health, and tourism).

In case of any changes, citizens and visitors, especially within the risks zones,

will receive pertinent information throughout all distributing channels, including:

radio, television, SMS, and other forms that will enable the population to take

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timely action. In addition, the Ministry of Security Coordination will release twice

a day a news bulletin with up-to-date information.

For more information please visit: www. seguridad.gob.ec