The Emirates stand ready to help the people of the Philippines, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said, after a new ash cloud sparked concerns of an eruption.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, spoke of his support as evacuees from the danger zone flooded into camps in need of food and water on Sunday.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Philippines after the eruption of the Taal volcano," the Crown Prince said on Twitter.
"We pray that these tough times are over with the least losses. The UAE stands in solidarity with the Philippines in these difficult times and is ready to provide all support and assistance."
The Crown Prince also wrote the message in Tagalog. It is estimated there are more than 700,000 Filipinos in the Emirates, making it one of the largest expatriate communities.
More than 70,000 people have been evacuated since the Taal began spewing clouds of ash, steam and gas on January 12.
The volcano alert level remains at four out of five, which means that "hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days".
The island has long been designated a national park that is off-limits to permanent villages, but poor villagers have lived and worked there for decades in tourism-related industries.
On Sunday, Philippine officials said the government will not allow villagers to return to the a crater-studded island where the erupting volcano lies, warning that living there would be “like having a gun pointed at you."
-
A couple attends their wedding ceremony as Taal Volcano sends out a column of ash in the background in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines. Reuters -
A man wears a mask as the Taal volcano continues to spew smoke and ash in Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines. EPA -
Motorcycle riders wear face masks as they travel along a road covered in ash in Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines. EPA -
Ash spews into the air from the Taal Volcano in Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines. EPA -
Evacuees from towns affected by the eruption of Taal volcano queue up at an evacuation center in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila. AFP -
Residents living along Taal lake catch fish as Taal volcano erupts in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila. AFP -
A general view of houses with roofs covered with ash, spewed by Taal volcano in Tagaytay city, south of Manila. AFP -
A man looks at the errupting Taal Volcano from a park in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Reuters -
Volunteers provide free medical examinations inside an evacuation center in Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines. EPA -
A satellite image of the Philippines during the aftermath of Taal Volcano's first volcanic eruption. EPA
