Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (6 - 12 June 2023)

PAKISTAN

On 10 June, heavy rains and rain-related incidents resulted in the loss of at least 33 lives and injuries to around 150 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces. The damages include partial destruction of three schools, complete collapse of two houses, and partial damages to over 160 houses. Additionally, an estimated 134 cattle perished due to the heavy rainfall. In Chan village of the Khushab district in Punjab, three girls lost their lives when their house wall collapsed due to the intensity of the rain. Furthermore, 10 people were injured in rain-related incidents in Gujranwala. The torrential downpours and dusty winds resulted in power outages in various areas of both KP and Punjab.

PHILIPPINES

On 8 June, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the Alert level of Mayon Volcano to 3, indicating a significant level of unrest. Magma has reached the crater, substantial risk of a dangerous eruption within weeks or days. As a precautionary measure, residents within a 6-km radius permanent danger zone and a 7-km radius extended danger zone have been evacuated. As of 12 June, a total of 14,360 individuals (3,934 families) are currently seeking temporary shelter in 22 evacuation centers. The Department of Health has prioritized the health and safety of the affected population, considering the emission of over 1,205 tons of sulfur dioxide by the volcano per day. Additional warnings have been issued for Taal and Kanlaon volcanoes due to the possibility of phreatic or steam-driven eruptions. Alert level 1 remains in effect for these volcanoes.

MYANMAR

One month after Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar’s coastal area on 14 May, the de facto authorities have suspended humanitarian access in Rakhine, stopping life-saving aid distributions to affected communities. Humanitarians have reached almost 300,000 people with food in Rakhine alone and more than 110,000 people with shelter support and relief items since the cyclone. Additionally, nearly 12,500 affected people in Rakhine state, the Northwest region and Kachin state received healthcare services. However, needs are enormous especially with the monsoon season well underway with many people left homeless by the cyclone and water systems severely damaged. In a press release on 12 June, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, urged the authorities to “urgently reconsider this decision and re-instate the initial approval that was granted for distributions which will allow aid that is ready and waiting to flow to people who desperately need it.” Generous funding is also vital with only US$10.3m received against a US$333 million Flash Appeal that aims to reach 1.6 million cyclone-affected people in the affected areas.