Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (11 - 17 October 2016)

PHILIPPINES

Typhoon Sarika (Karen) made landfall in Baler, Aurora province on 16 October, killing three people and displacing 29,194 in Regions I, II, III, IV-A and V. About 84 per cent of the 6,477 families (29,194 people) displaced by the storm are in evacuation centres (5,444 families). The typhoon exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early 17 October. Meanwhile, Typhoon Haima is intensifying and is expected to enter the PAR on 17 October as a Category 3 storm. The Government is closely monitoring Typhoon Haima and the Humanitarian Country Team is on standby to support coordinated preparedness measures.

In Maguindanao, Philippines, heavy rains caused flooding on 13 October which affected 5,890 families (29,450 people) in the municipalities of Datu Montawal (Pagagawan), Pagalungan and Sultan Mastura. Local authorities provided assistance to the families affected by the flooding.

MYANMAR

Following the deadly attacks on border posts on 9 October and subsequent security operations, there are unverified reports that several hundred people have been displaced from their homes in northern parts of Rakhine State. Some 1,200 people are confirmed to have found shelter in a school in Buthidaung. The total number of displaced people and their needs have not been assessed yet due to a lack of access. Humanitarian response interventions are being coordinated but are hampered by movement restrictions.

SRI LANKA

An estimated 520,000 people across eight provinces (Eastern, North Central, North Western, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Central and Western) remain affected by drought as of 13 October. The Government has allocated US$140,000 and 159 water trucks to 22 districts. Some 60 schools have been closed due to water shortages, affecting 26,000 children. The Minister for Disaster Management will meet humanitarian partners to discuss the impact and plan their response on 21 October.

520,000 people affected

VIET NAM

Since Tropical Depression Aere made landfall in central Viet Nam last week near the city of Hue (Thừa Thiên-Huế Province), several coastal provinces have been affected by heavy rainfall, with Quang Binh the worst affected. According to media reports, at least 21 people have died in the flooding, with several more missing and tens of thousands of homes submerged by flood waters. Though rainfall was expected to ease after the weekend, local officials have warned the region could be affected again if Typhoon Sarika - currently in the South China Sea - makes landfall in Vietnam in the coming days.
Typhoon Sarika was located about 580 km south of Hong Kong on 17 October, moving west-northwest at 22 kph.4

21 people killied