Risking Lives: Poor Villagers Brave Eruption of Philippines' Active Volcano

Poor villagers in the Philippines are risking their lives by living in the danger zone of the country's most active volcano, Mayon, which has erupted 53 times since 1616. Despite being designated a permanent danger zone, thousands of villagers have flouted the restrictions and made it their home for generations. The lack of jobs and opportunities elsewhere forces people to continue risking their lives farming vegetables and scrounging for other sources of income at the foot of the volcano. The government should prepare a comprehensive plan to provide poor villagers with safe housing and sustainable livelihoods that would finally allow them to abandon high-risk settlements.