Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (11 - 17 November 2014)

INDONESIA

Continued heavy rains caused more flooding and landslides across Indonesia. Flooding has killed one person and damaged 30 houses in West Sumatra Province and inundated 372 houses in Riau Province. In West Java Province, a landslide injured three people and flash floods from the Cisangli River inundated approximately 220 houses, affecting 1,200 people.

Flooding affected over 53,000 people in Aceh Barat Daya and Aceh Jaya Districts.

In early Nov, flooding also damaged over 10,330 houses in Aceh Selatan and Nagan Raya Districts. Local authorities are responding to these events, deploying teams and relief items. International assistance was not requested or expected.

1 person dead 54,200 people affected

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on 15 Nov at 09:31. The epicentre was located approximately 158 kms off Bitung District, North Maluku Province. The earthquake was felt in Ternate and Sitaro of North Maluku Province, and Manado of North Sulawesi Province. The Indonesia Agency for Meteorology (BMKG) confirmed a 0.9 meter tsunami wave hit Jailolo (20 kms from Ternate, North Maluku) at 09:43 Jakarta time and 0.01 metre tsunami in Tobelo at 10:24 Jakarta time. Latest reports from the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) indicate the earthquake caused light damage in North Sulawesi Province and there were no casualties.

SRI LANKA

Humanitarian agencies have conducted a desk review of secondary data and compiled a draft report on the landslide that occurred in Meeriyabadda Estate, Haldummulla division, Badulla district on 29 Oct. The secondary data was provided by the Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, and international humanitarian partners to ascertain the needs, response to date and remaining gaps. Initial findings indicate 37 people died and 22 remain missing. Over 4,460 people are displaced and seeking support from 28 welfare centres in Badulla district.

22 people missing 4,460 people displaced

MALAYSIA

The Malaysian Government will launch a three-year programme to plant one million trees in the Cameron Highlands and halt construction of new hotels or condominiums in the area after five people died and five were injured when flash floods struck on 5 Nov. Massive illegal clearing in the Cameron Highlands was blamed for the flash floods which resulted in the landslides and mud floods.

More than 203 residents from 47 families in Kampung Baru and Bertam Valley were evacuated in the incident, which caused widespread damage. The Environment Minister handed out a contribution of RM1,000 (US$ 300) to each of the 33 families hit by the disaster and establish a new housing scheme.

5 people dead