Tropical Depression Crising passed just below the southern Philippines, causing landslides and flash flooding. Heavy rain also caused flash flooding and landslides across Western Indonesia. 10 people were killed and over 5,000 homes destroyed.

NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2012

After an intense year of natural disasters in 2011, countries in the Asia-Pacific region welcomed a reduction in the number of events in 2012. OCHA and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters recorded 93 natural disaster events in 2012, in which over 3,200 people were killed and more than 75 million people were affected. China and the Philippines experienced the most disasters in 2012.

UN Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, will travel to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of Thailand between 2 and 8 December 2012.

The mission is the first official visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar by Valerie Amos in her role as UN Humanitarian Chief.

1. Thailand -10 provinces in central and eastern parts of the country are still being hit by floods. As of 2 Oct, More than 188,000 people have been affected.
   Source: OCHA, GoT

2. Cambodia - Flash flooding in Banteay Meanchey has killed 13, forced 5,000 families to be evacuated and inundated 41,000 hectares of paddy fields.
   Source: Media

3. India - Recent flooding in Assam state killed 18 and forced more than 2 million from their homes. This is the third wave of flooding to affect Assam state this year.
   Source: Media

Thailand, located in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, faces heavy rains and flooding every year. Last year’s floods were the worst the country had seen in 50 years, causing over 800 deaths in some 65 provinces. About 14 million people were affected, and the floods caused damage and projected economic losses estimated at more than US$450 billion.

Read the full interview on OCHA online

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY