Philippines - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 2

Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2002/0059
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Philippines - Earthquake
8 March 2002

This report is based on information provided by the Philippines National Disaster Coordination Council, obtained through the UNDP Office in the Philippines, and media reports.

1. The Swiss Seismological Service has recorded eight aftershocks between 4.0 and 4.9 magnitude following the earthquake that took place at 5:16 a.m. on 6 March 2002, local time, off the coast of the Philippines' island of Mindanao. According to the United States Geological Survey, the initial earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale. The Philippines National Disaster Co-ordination Council provided two additional assessment reports, which indicate that the earthquake caused damages in three provinces - Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat - and in Cotabato City.

2. A moderate tidal wave was reported in Kiamba, Sarangani Province, where the sea level rose by 1.5 meter. The risk of a volcanic eruption triggered by the earthquake has been ruled out, according to local media.

Situation and Losses

3. 15 people have been reported dead and 21 confirmed injured. A total of 27,776 persons (5,765 families) have been evacuated and 8 Evacuation Centres opened in Sarangani Province - because of the tidal wave - South Cotabato Province, and General Santos City area.

4. 33 houses were totally destroyed and 87 partially. Damaged infrastructure includes one mega-dike, seven bridges, 36 school buildings, one hospital, two health centres, and 17 public buildings. The total cost of damage to livestock, infrastructure and private property has been estimated so far at about USD 81,000 (PHP 4.175 million) by the Philippines National Disaster Coordination Council.

National Response

5. Provincial Social Welfare Offices in the affected areas are still conducting rapid damage and needs assessment. The Natural Disaster Co-ordination Council recommended that a total of 600 sacks of rice be dispatched to support the ongoing relief activities. The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is monitoring after-shocks and issuing advisories.

6. The Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC) has been dispatched to the affected area to assess the needs of the population.

General Information

7. No request for international assistance has been received by OCHA to date.

8. OCHA is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Manila and the Philippines National Disaster Co-ordination Council and will revert with further information if the situation warrants it.

9. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. R. Müller / Mr. K. Quiding / Ms. M. Spaak/ Ms. C. Cassabalian
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3131 / 1769 / 71728/ 1173

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32