Asia Pacific Region: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot, 19-25 November, 2013
Typhoon: Over 13 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan which made landfall in the Philippines on November 7-8. Haiyan's landfall caused severe destruction with Government estimates suggesting 3.4 million people displaced, at least 5,000 dead with another over 1600 people missing.Life-saving assistance is urgently required, particularly food, water and shelter. Acute respiratory infections is also a concern in the coming months. Health facilities are reportedly overstretched, and there is still overall poor coverage. The Government has formed a high-level national taskforce to ensure faster relief efforts.
Source: OCHA Sitrep No. 17
2 Earthquake:223 people died when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines on October 15. Over 8550 people were displaced and some 3.2 million affected. Many have returned back home but are still dependent on assistance from the Government and other humanitarian partners. The focus of humanitarian activities is now shifting from relief to early recovery. The Bohol Earthquake Action Plan has, so far, received only 18 per cent of the US$46 million requested. Urgent funding is needed to support the continuing relief operation.
Source: OCHA Sitrep No. 7
3 CHINA China initiated an emergency disaster response in the northeastern province of Jilin following three earthquakes measuring 5.0 or greater in magnitude. Expert teams and disaster relief materials have been sent to the quake-hit areas. A 5.3-magnitude earthquake at 4:18 p.m. on 22 November, following by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake at 6:04 a.m. on 23 November, and a 5.0-magnitude quake at 6:32 a.m. on the same day, damaged thousands of houses, although no casualties have been reported to date. A total of 260,000 families in 125 villages in the two counties have been affected by the quakes, and 45,000 people have been relocated. The earthquakes caused the collapse of 310 apartment units and have seriously damaged 16,000 houses, causing direct economic losses of 2
Source: National media
4 INDIA Tropical Cyclone Helen made landfall in southern Andhra Pradesh state on Friday 22 November. At least 6 people were killed and more than 70,000 affected. Roads and power networks remain disrupted. Ahead of the storm, some 25,000 people were evacuated in four districts and relocated to 93 temporary camps. Those evacuated have begun returning to their homes.
Coming quickly on the heels of Helen is Cyclone Lehar, which now looks to also make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on 28 November 2013.
Source: National media
5 VIET NAM
On the evening of November 14, Tropical Storm 15 weakened into a tropical depression and hit the south-central provinces of Viet Nam, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Since November 14-17, extensive flooding had occurred in Central Vietnam killing at least 42 people, 5 are missing and 66 are injured. The most affected provinces are Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh. Central and Local Governments are immediately carrying out response and recovery actions on the ground.
Source: UNRC Sitrep No.1
6 THAILAND 9 provinces in Southern Thailand experienced flooding due to a tropical depression since 21 November killing two people. The Government is leading response activities with water levels receding and overall conditions improving.
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit http://unocha.org/.