Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (26 November - 2 December 2024)

SRI LANKA

Since 23 November, heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning have impacted Sri Lanka, triggering floods, landslides, and severe weather-related incidents across nine provinces: Northern, Uva, North-Western, Western, North Central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Southern. As of 3 December, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported 18 fatalities, 19 injuries, and nearly 5,100 people displaced and housed in 64 evacuation centres. Approximately 468,750 people have been affected across the impacted areas. Additionally, 107 homes have been completely destroyed, while over 2,600 homes have sustained partial damage. Government is leading the relief efforts with the support of the humanitarian organizations.

MYANMAR

In Myanmar, the prolifer ation of landmines and other explosive ordnance has reached alarming levels over past few years, posing a grave threat to civilian populations. The latest report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines ranked Myanmar as the country with the highest number of casualties by landmines and explosive ordnances globally in 2023. Amid widespread conflict in the country, the presence of landmines has significantly increased, affecting all states and regions by mid-2024. According to a recent UNICEF report, there have been 889 civilian casualties (130 fatalities and 759 injuries) due to landmine and explosive remnants of war incidents countrywide in the first nine months of 2024. The encroachment of landmines into residential areas and towns since 2021 has significantly heightened risks to civilians and is now a critical humanitarian and development concern.