HIGHLIGHTS

• Prolonged dry weather has triggered significant drought in northern Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

• A U.S. Government (USG) preliminary damage assessment team is scheduled to begin assessments of drought-affected areas in the coming days

• To date, USAID has responded with reverse osmosis machines and other pre-positioned relief supplies

AusAID Director General Peter Baxter visited Solomon Islands’ National Referral Hospital this week to meet the Australian medical team assisting local health authorities to combat a major outbreak of dengue fever.

Health officials estimate there have been more than 3,700 cases of suspected dengue since late January, putting significant strain on the country’s health resources.

The Caritas Annual Report shows our work in 2012 through five strategic priorities identified during the year: addressing poverty at home and abroad, responding to emergencies, upholding the dignity and rights of indigenous peoples, promoting environmental justice, and connecting effectively with our Catholic community.

Public donations topped $3 million last year, including a record Lent total of more than $900,000. We are grateful for the government’s New Zealand Aid Programme which contributed almost $1 million towards Caritas development and relief programmes.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced New Zealand is providing $4 million to help Samoa’s tourism sector recover from the devastating impact of Cyclone Evan.

“New Zealand and Samoa agree that a strong tourism sector is essential for employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings and government revenue,” Mr McCully says.

“Early recovery for the tourism sector will be especially important to revive income and employment, and would ensure preparedness for the UN Small Islands Developing States conference to be hosted by Samoa in 2014.”

As the second anniversary of the devastating February earthquake approaches, New Zealand Red Cross is encouraging the people of Christchurch to make their personal happiness and that of their family and friends a priority.

Red Cross is working with an expert in psychological recovery from disaster, Australian clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon, who says year three can be the most difficult for some.

1. Philippines - TC Bopha (Pablo) struck the southern Philippines in early December. The risk of floods and landslides due to heavy rains persists in typhoon-affected areas hampering humanitarian activities. The revised Action Plan was launched in Manila on 25 January asking for US$76 million. A low pressure area continues to affect areas in Mindanao causing flash floods and a landslide affecting nearly 40,000 people.
   Source: OCHA

Five containers of gifts and donations from Radio Tarana of Auckland, New Zealand were received at the Ministry of Provincial Development’s top yard in Walu Bay, Suva today.

A four-day radio appeal by Radio Tarana of Auckland, New Zealand resulted in a huge amount of donation, which were received by the National Disaster Management Committee for Tropical Cyclone Evan victims.

(Extract)

II. UPDATE TO THE SITUATION REPORT (As of 24 December 2012, 6:00 AM)

• Number of totally and partially damaged houses increased by 38,113 due to additional reports in eights (8) municipalities in Compostela Valley and three (3) municipalities in Davao Oriental

• Water supply in Region X is back to normal and only some areas in Bukidnon are still having power interruption

• Total cost of assistance increased by PHP2.7 million due to the increase in assistance from DOH

Highlights

• 2,714 people remain in 59 Evacuation Centers in Fiji, down from 11,676 on 20 December.

• 1 man is missing at sea in Fiji.

• Typhoid outbreak of 18 cases in Ba district, Fiji.

• 5,500 people remain in 40 Evacuation Centres in Samoa