Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (2 - 8 April 2024)

PHILIPPINES

As of 27 March, a total of 60,371 families of over 300,000 people are affected by severe drought in Special Geographic Areas (SGA) of BARMM and are in need of food assistance due to livelihood losses. State of Calamity has been declared by Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of SGAs. Across the region, a total of 30 municipalities , 213 barangays and 15,055 farmers suffered damages and losses to agriculture and fisheries as a result of El Nino phenomenon.

Ten municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur suspended classes. The Bangsamoro Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) convened on 5 April to discuss the effects of El Nino phenomenon.

INDONESIA

Between 2 and 7 April 2024, floods and flash floods were reported in 10 provinces across the country as a result of torrential rainfall, river overflows and collapsed embankments. Approximately 24,000 people (4,901 households) were directly affected and temporarily displaced. While there are no reports of casualties and injured people, local governments and the Indonesian Red Cross branches have responded to these local disasters.

MYANMAR

The proliferation of landmines and other explosive ordnance in Myanmar has reached alarming levels over the past year, posing a grave threat to civilians. In 2023, there was a staggering surge in casualties resulting from landmines and explosive remnants of war, with a total of 1,052 casualties reported nationwide. This represents a dramatic 270 per cent increase compared to the 390 casualties recorded in 2022, which was already the highest number since the records began. Sagaing, which hosts the largest numbers of IDPs nationwide, had the highest proportion of casualties at 35 per cent, followed by Shan and Bago at 12 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. Children made up almost a quarter (21 per cent) of the total casualties, underscoring the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Since February 2021, landmine incidents have been reported in all states and regions of Myanmar, except Nay Pyi Taw. All parties to the conflict are called upon to cease the use of these weapons, especially in civilian areas. Support is urgently required to address what is fast becoming a multi-generational crisis for Myanmar.