Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (28 November - 4 December 2023)

PHILIPPINES

On 2 December 10:37 pm local time, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred off the coast of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), reported that 399,000 people (100,700 families) were affected, with one casualty reported, as of 4 December. The earthquake prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise a tsunami alert immediately after the quake, which they subsequently lifted in the early hours of 03 December.
The tsunami alert caused an immediate evacuation to higher grounds of over 26,000 people living in coastal areas in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. As per the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Caraga, most have returned home except for families with damaged houses. PHIVOLCS has recorded over 2,040 aftershocks, ranging from magnitudes 1.4 to 6.6, and are expected to continue over the coming days. Assessments conducted by government and other humanitarian partners (WFP, IOM, CARE, ACCESS Consortium) are ongoing. However, there have been initial reports of damages to infrastructure such as roads and hospitals. Based on initial discussions,responses are within the capacity of local governments.

INDONESIA

On 3-4 December, Mount Marapi, located in the Agam and Tanah Datar districts, West Sumatra erupted again. There had been 45 eruptions recorded since the first eruption on 3 December, with ash columns reaching 3,000 meters high.
About 23 people have been reported dead.

MYANMAR

More than half a million people have been displaced in Rakhine, Northeast, Southeast and Northwest due to intensified hostilities continue between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and various armed groups since the end of October. The widespread conflict is creating urgent humanitarian needs including food, shelter, and medical assistance to both new and longer-term internally displaced people, as well as affected communities. Ongoing fighting, airstrikes, roadblocks, and telecommunication challenges are rapidly increasing protection risks and are severely restricting the movement of essential goods and people seeking places for safety. Faith-based organizations and local responders, in collaboration with humanitarian organizations, continue to provide critical and lifesaving assistance to affected communities using a range of approaches. Urgent funding is critically needed for humanitarians to respond effectively to escalating needs.