REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Overall, the 2006/07 agricultural season has started relatively well thanks to favourable rainfall in most of the southern African region. However, late or insufficient rainfall and poor distribution may affect yields and area planted, potentially affecting final harvest prospects in southern and central Mozambique, southern Zambia, parts of southern Zimbabwe, among others. The persistence of moderate El Nino conditions in the Pacific Ocean is a source of concern for the second half of the rainy season, from January through March. Although there is

This report covers 1 January to 31 December 2006

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme summary: The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) proved itself a consistent supporter of vulnerable

(Extract)

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), together with Philip Morris, conducted a medical mission and relief operations in two areas in Camarines Sur last December 29. It would be remembered that the province was battered by typhoon Reming a month ago, leaving over 77,000 houses totally destroyed and at least 95,000 families in suffering.  

During a short speech to the beneficiaries, PNRC chairman Richard J. Gordon said that the PNRC, though its Camarines Sur chapter, will provide shelter assistance to 7,000 families. "This

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.

In Brief

This Bulletin (no. 1/2006) is being issued for information only, and reflects the situation and the information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.

Activities undertaken are aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad

The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has furnished $241 million to help provide relief to disaster-hit areas in some 30 countries since its establishment nine months ago, the world body's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced today.

Of the total, $164 million was disbursed from the rapid response facility for new or rapidly deteriorating emergencies in 24 countries. An additional $77 million from funds earmarked for under-funded emergencies was distributed across 16 countries. The total sum was used to support 328 projects.

Background:

The Philippines has been severely affected by a series of typhoons over the past three months. The most recent destructive, Typhoon Durian, hit the western coast on 30 November 2006 . These typhoons caused extensive damage over a widespread area in 24 provinces, of which five have been affected by more than one typhoon. According to the latest information (Dec 06), over 2,700 people were killed or are missing. Tens of thousands are left homeless. Many are sheltered in evacuation centres established in government buildings, schools and churches. Others were

Weekly Introduction:

Tropical Cyclone Bondo

Tropical Cyclone Bondo developed into a very powerful storm in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The storm intensity peaked at 110 knots before starting to weaken. By the time Bondo made landfall, it had been down graded to a tropical storm with winds at about 60 knots. Bondo developed on December 18th near Diego Garcia and dissipated on December 26th in the Mozambique Channel.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) dispatched to Albay yesterday (Dec. 27) a team of doctors, dentists and nurses from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to conduct a medical-dental mission in the province for the benefit of the victims of typhoons "Reming"and "Seniang."

This DILG mission will also extend aid to BFP personnel who themselves became victims of the onslaught of the two consecutive typhoons.

"This is part of the outreach program of the DILG and the BFP to extend assistance to our countrymen in Bicol

1. On December 26 (Tue), the Government of Japan decided to provide one million US dollars (111 million yen) in food aid to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, which suffered massive mudslides and floods disaster caused by a large typhoon hitting the southern Luzon Island from November 30 to December 1. The grant will be contributed to the "Food-for-Work" Program which assists the relief efforts for the people affected by the disaster. This emergency assistance was finalized after the decision to provide emergency assistance