Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano spewed ash again Tuesday, showering nearby towns and forcing residents to use masks, said the National Polytechnic's Geophysics Institute.
The volcano, located in central Ecuador and 5,029 meters high, has been erupting intermittently for nearly 10 days.
The nation's civil defense authorities have placed the area around the volcano on alert due to the more than 200 explosions registered every day.
But many local residents have refused to leave their homes as they fear the loss or death of their domestic animals.
One of the worst hit counties is Penipe, in Chimborazo province, where abundant ash has been a threat to local residents' health.
Livestock farmers in the region have asked the government to provide feed for their animals as the ash has contaminated the animal's food.
Civil defense authorities said they have set up temporary shelters to house those affected by the eruption.
Ecuadorian Interior Minister Gustavo Larrea visited the towns of Banos and Cusua, announcing 20 million U.S. dollars in aid to those left homeless by the disaster.
The funds will be used to rebuild bridges and highways, buy land and support agriculture, he said.
The volcano's eruption in August 2006 killed four people and forced thousands more to evacuate.
Source:Xinhua
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