Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (12 - 18 December 2017)

Philippines

On 16 December, Tropical Storm Kai-tak (local name Urduja) made landfall over San Policarpio, Eastern Samar province. As a result of Kai-tak, two months of rain fell in 48 hours, triggering severe flooding. As of 18 December, an estimated 249,000 people in five regions (Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga) are affected, with 92,600 people in evacuation centres. Northern Samar Province, Tacloban and Ormoc cities declared a state of calamity. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) activated the national response clusters to closely monitor the situation and assist local authorities in the affected areas to coordinate the response. There is no request for international assistance.

249,000 people affected

Indonesia

On 15 December, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck around Cipatujah in West Java, killing four people and damaging nearly 3,000 houses. An estimated 200 people were temporarily displaced. In the worst affected areas (Tasikmalaya City, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis and Pangdaran districts), local authorities issued an emergency response status for seven days. The Government identified logistics, repair of damaged residential areas, release of funds for response operations and rehabilitation of public infrastructure and facilities as priorities. The BNPB, national emergency response agencies, volunteers, NGOs and local communities are providing assistance to affected people. No international assistance has been requested.

Four people dead

Myanmar

An increase in tensions and armed clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have been observed in Kachin and Shan states since the beginning of December. According to local sources, on 15 December, mortar shells landed within 500 meters of the Mung Lai Hkyet IDP camp in the outskirts of Laiza. Approximately 200 displaced people left the camp and moved to Laiza with host families. Armed clashes were also reported on 12 December in Tanai township, where 900 displaced people have sheltered in church compounds since June 2017 and where international humanitarian partners continue to be denied access.

200 people displaced

Afghanistan

The number of people displaced by conflict since 1 January has risen to more than 400,000, an increase of 12,350 people compared to the previous week. A case of wild polio virus was reported in Shahwalikot district (Kandahar Province), bringing this year’s count to 12 cases across the country. The district of Shahwalikot in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province has the highest number of polio cases of any district in the world. A vaccination campaign for children is underway in the province.

400,000 people displaced since 1 January