UPDATE: March 30, 2009 - The Tungurahua Volcano that erupted a few weeks ago in Ecuador has stopped erupting.

All affected children attending the Compassion-assisted development center in the area near Riobamba City received medical treatment and have fully recovered.

The staff at the child development center is educating children and their families on preventive health and conducting simulation exercises to teach them how to respond better in case of another eruption.

Please pray for God's continued protection for our children, staff and families living in the regions surrounding the volcano.

Compassion Ecuador will keep us updated as more information is available.

Compassion International will contact you if your sponsored child has been affected.

March 17, 2009 - Earlier this month the Tungurahua volcano, located 135 kilometers from Quito, Ecuador, erupted, spewing ash clouds and hot lava.

People from two of the provinces near the volcano, Chimborazo and Tungurahua, were evacuated.

Compassion has one child development center located in Riobamba City that was affected. Some children from this center have experienced health issues because of the eruption.

The affected child development center ran a preventive health care initiative for the registered children and their families. This included educational information, simulation exercises and training in the use of masks and other activities.