Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (19 - 25 July 2016)

CHINA

Since 18 July, continuous heavy rainfall affected several areas of northern, central and eastern China triggering floods and landslides. As of 21 July, around 10.5 million people were affected in eight provinces (including Shanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, and Inner Mongolia). An estimated 337,000 people were temporarily relocated due to floods.

As of 24 July, the national state media reported that Hebei was the worst affected and recorded the highest number of casualties, with over 100 people dead and over 100 people missing. The National Committee for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs activated a level IV national disaster response to support local authorities. To date, no international assistance has been requested.

10.5 million people affected

INDIA

As of 23 July, nearly 291,000 people have been affected by flooding across nine districts of Assam State. Bongigain, Golaghat, Jorhat and Dhemaji districts are the worst affected. A total of 27 relief camps and seven distribution centres were opened in Bongaigaon, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivsagar hosting some 12,400 people. The army was also deployed to conduct rescue operations in the affected areas. It is anticipated that tarpaulins for temporary shelter, emergency food aid for temporary shelters and relief camps and candles will be needed. No international support has been requested.

291,000 people affected

INDONESIA

During the past week, torrential rains continued to affect several parts of Indonesia. On 19 July, at least 100 houses were inundated in Sorong city, West Papua province as flash floods swept through the area. Around 200 houses were also flooded in southern Jakarta on 22 and 23 July.
There were no reported casualties. Local authorities provided assistance to the affected communities.

According to the natural weather bureau (BMKG), a low intensity La Niña event is expected from July until January 2017. Above average rainfall is forecasted for most parts of the country which could cause more flooding.

PHILIPPINES

As of 18 July, about 570 families (2,800 people) remain in five evacuation centres, due to a long-standing land conflict between families associated with various armed groups in Matalam municipality,
Cotabato province. At least 100 families have resided in the evacuation centres since December 2015. A local NGO reported concerns on access to water, food, sanitation, health care and protection in the centres.

TIMOR-LESTE

According to FAO, the average annual cereal production dropped to 70,080 tonnes in 2016 with a projected deficit of 188,000 tonnes this year to meet annual cereal needs. Over 400,000 people are affected by El Niño-induced drought across Covalima, Lautem, Viqueque, Baucau and Administrative Region of Oecusse, with 120,000 people severely at risk. The Humanitarian Country Team has submitted a CERF Concept Note to request for additional funding to meet the immediate food and nutritional needs of over 40,000 people in areas suffering from extreme food shortages.