Costa Rica was taken by surprise when a volcano, the Turrialba, that has been extinct for the last 140 years suddenly had some sort of gas-and-ash explosion, forcing at least 40 people living near the volcano to be evacuated immediately.
Most of these families don't have anywhere to go. They did not expect any explosion of this kind from the long-extinct Turrialba. Right now, their only options are the temporary living quarters, which are typically old barns converted to residence because of this emergency. Just last Saturday, though, President Oscar Arias himself visited the temporary shelter and promised that additional help is already underway.
Meanwhile, the people who were forced to evacuate are frustrated especially with the National Police because they were unable to get important things that they need, such as food, clothing, medicine, and the like. The residents pointed out that media people were allowed to get into the danger area upon proper security of the permits. The residents, on the other hand, were really barred from reaching even their own homes.
To address this, Agriculture Minister Javier Flores assured the residents that his ministry will coordinate with the National Police so that the people could get the things that they need. Some of the people were even making some last-minute harvests of their own vegetable farms.
Even though scientists have already said that lava flows are very unlikely, they still warned that the current activity of the volcano, which involves spewing of gas and ash, may be very unhealthy for the people's health. There's a 6km danger designed where people are not supposed to get into while the volcano is active.
Well, it's a very unfortunate situation alright. Nobody would think that this could happen after so many years. I hope the national government could already set up a medium through which residents could send their relief help. I'm sure a lot of us here would like to give a helping hand.
