Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (22 - 28 October 2024)

PHILIPPINES

Severe Tropical Storm Trami, locally named Kristine, caused widespread flooding and landslides in Region 2 and 5 and caused flash floods and a massive landslide burying houses in Region 4A. According to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 6.7m people or 1,662,416 families have been affected across 17 out of 18 regions in the country.

Around 980k have been displaced of which 561k people are in one of the 6,286 evacuation centres and 418k temporarily staying elsewhere. In Talisay, Batangas (Region 4A) more than 100 houses and vehicles were buried after continuous heavy rains resulted in a landslide, burying part of the town. The number of casualties has risen, with 97 reported deaths, 69 injured, and 30 missing. Clean up and recovery efforts are ongoing in areas where flood waters have started to recede, and people have started to return to their houses. A total of 160 cities/municipalities in the country were declared “State of Calamity”. Rescue and response efforts still ongoing however local capacities are stretched with the government and other partners facing access issues due to flooded and damaged roads. The national government has requested for international support of air assets and mobilization of in-country resources, basically for non-food items.

In response to the government’s request, rapid damage and needs assessments are ongoing with the support of NGOs and UN agencies. Cluster agencies are working closely with their government counterparts to augment response gaps.

OCHA is liaising with national authorities as well as humanitarian partners with local presence on the ground to determine the impact of the tropical cyclone.

Another Severe Tropical Storm with the international name Kong-rey, locally named Leon, entered the Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 27 October. Its forecast track of north northwestward and may come close to the Batanes Groups of Islands in northern Luzon.

MYANMAR

Escalating conflict across Myanmar continues to drive widespread displacement and severely impact civilian safety.
Since mid-October, clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various armed groups have displaced approximately 3,000 people in Yesagyo Township in Magway Region, 1,000 people in Ann Township in Rakhine State, and more than 1,000 people in Palaw Township in Tanintharyi Region, according to field reports and media. The ongoing instability is hindering the capacity of humanitarian actors to reach people in need and heightening challenges for already vulnerable communities.

With more than 3.4 million people now displaced nationwide, the rising numbers highlight the urgent need for assistance across conflict-affected areas.