1. Marshall Islands - The Government has issued an elevated state of disaster due to the severe drought in northern parts of the country, affecting between 3,200 and 5,000 people. Assessments are ongoing and an UNDAC team has arrived in country. WASH is the priority as there is a priority need for safe drinking water.
   Source: OCHA

1. Marshall Islands - The Government has welcomed international assistance in response to a drought situation which is affecting up to 3,700 people living in the islands north of Majuro. An UNDAC team is being deployed, as have international assessment teams and OCHA staff.
   Source: OCHA

2. China - Heavy flooding in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have killed 6, displaced 17,000 and affected more than 420,000.
   Source: GLIDE, Media

1. DPR Korea - Crisis Watch classifies the situation in DPR Korea as "deteriorating" in response to recent decisions by the authorities there to cut off communications with the Rep. of Korea; an order to ensure its rockets are combat-ready and targeting US bases in the region, and its declaration that it was in a "state of war" with the Rep. of Korea. Source: ICG

1. Solomon Islands - A tsunami triggered by a large quake has struck the Santa Cruz islands (Temotu Province). Official reports show 394 houses were destroyed and 371 were damaged. 3,329 people are affected with 2,434 living in camps. 10 people were killed and 13 injured. The supply of safe drinking water remains a concern. Also, gov and NGO emergency stocks have been depleted. Source: OCHA

2. Indonesia - Floods in North Sulawesi have killed 8 and injured 2. Nearly 1,300 houses were flooded. Local authorities are leading the response.
   Source: OCHA

1. Solomon Islands - An magnitude 8 earthquake struck, triggering a tsunami affecting the Santa Cruz islands (Temotu Province). Initial reports say 700 HHs are affected, 3.500 people are displaced and 9 people killed. A state of emergency has been declared and the GoSL is leading the response with support from Int'l NGOs and the Red Cross.
   Source: OCHA

In this Climate Update, highlights include:

· Between 9 and 11 named Tropical Cyclones were forecast for the 2012 / 2013 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. 3 named Tropical Cyclones have occurred in the South Pacific so far.

· 11 Tropical Depressions have formed in the South Pacific since the beginning of the Tropical Cyclone Season.

· In the South Pacific, one Tropical Depression increased in intensity to Category 3 (Tropical Cyclone Garry) and two to Category 4 (Tropical Cyclone Evan and Freda).

1. Philippines - TC Bopha (Pablo) struck the southern Philippines in early December. Concerns for acute respiratory infections in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental provinces have declined since mid-December. The risk of floods and landslides due to heavy rains persists in typhoon-affected areas hampering humanitarian activities. The revised Action Plan will be launched in Manila on 25 January. More recently a low pressure area affected areas in Mindanao causing flash floods and a landslide affecting nearly 5,000 people. Source: OCHA

Posted at 03:17 on 04 January, 2013 UTC

The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office is sending a water purification unit to the capital of the island hardest hit by Cyclone Freda so the hospital can remain open.

Read the full story on Radio New Zealand Int'l

Posted at 22:34 on 30 December, 2012 UTC

Emergency services in Solomon Islands will today fly over the main islands to assess the damage caused by tropical cyclone Freda.

Read the full story on Radio New Zealand Int'l