Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (5 - 11 December 2017)

AFGHANISTAN

The number of displaced people in the Eastern Region reached nearly 110,000, including more than 93,000 people in Nangarhar Province. Of those displaced in Nangarhar, 56,000 arrived since mid-October from Khogyani due to fighting between armed groups. In total, more than 390,000 people in Afghanistan have been displaced this year.

390,000 people displaced

PHILIPPINES

On 9 December, Kanlaon volcano, in the Visayas region, generated a low-energy eruption, ejecting steam and dark ash. According to authorities, the eruption was caused by magma moving 20 to 30 kilometers upwards.
Thin ash reportedly fell in nearby villages, but no displacements have been reported. The volcano has been under level 2 alert since August, which means that it is undergoing a moderate level of unrest. Local government authorities were advised to prevent any human activity in a four kilometre radius around Mt. Kanlaon and civil aviation authorities have advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit.

BANGLADESH

Diphtheria is reportedly rapidly spreading in camps in Cox's Bazar where Rohingya refugees have settled. As of 8 December, over 110 people had contracted the disease, including six fatalities. The majority of people affected are between 5 and 15 years old. Lack of comprehensive vaccinations and overcrowded sites, are contributing to the spread. WHO with the Ministry of Health and health partners, is scaling up prevention and treatment response, while routine immunization will target children up to six years old. 646,000 refugees have now crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar since 25 August, bringing the total number of Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar to more than 850,000.

Six people dead from diphtheria

PACIFIC - LA NIÑA

The tropical Pacific Ocean and overlying atmosphere have reached La Niña thresholds. It is therefore likely that the tropical Pacific will persist at La Niña thresholds over the southern summer; long enough for 2017-18 to be classified as a La Niña year. Climate models anticipate a short-lived event. Most models suggest a transition back to neutral conditions by April 2018.