Philippines: Tropical Cyclone Trami/Kristine - Flash Update No.3, As of 05 November 2024, 6pm local time

Situation Overview

Almost two weeks after Severe Tropical Storm (STS Trami (local name Kristine) caused widespread landslides and massive flooding, particularly in Region 5, and as floodwaters begin to recede, new information has emerged highlighting the continued need for increased relief efforts for the affected population. While STS Trami was exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Tropical Cyclone Kong-rey (local name Leon), which intensified into a super typhoon (STY), passed near the eastern seaboard of the country. This caused additional rainfall in areas already impacted by STS Trami and strong winds, particularly in Northern Luzon and the Batanes group of islands. Another tropical cyclone is currently inside PAR, following the same track as STY Kong-rey. However, due to its interaction with a cold surge, its forecasted path is expected to shift westward, potentially affecting Northern Luzon and bringing rains to Region 1 and Region 2. The successive tropical cyclones will further worsen the situation for those still recovering from the impact of STS Trami. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report as of 05 November, the combined number of people affected by STS Trami and STY Kong-rey is more than 8.8 million people (or about 2.25 million families). More than 711k people are still displaced, of which 194k people are in evacuation centres (EC) and 517k temporarily staying elsewhere. Most of the displaced population is in Region 5, particularly in Camarines Sur and Albay Provinces, where the massive flooding occurred. The number of casualties have reportedly increased from the last reporting period; 151 reported deaths, 134 injured, and 21 missing.

Impact and Affected Areas

As floodwaters recede and access to previously inaccessible communities improves, a clearer picture has emerged of the extent of damage and the needs of people in affected communities. One of the hardest hit sectors is agriculture, with 111,411 farmers and fisherfolks affected. The estimated cost of damage to agriculture has reached over US$ 102 million (or PHP 6 billion). Field assessments confirm that many farmlands are still flooded with no clear indication of when replanting will commence.

Food access remains a challenge for poor and hard to reach communities whose livelihoods were damaged or affected by floods, including those of vulnerable sectors especially pregnant and lactating mothers.

Findings from the Consolidated Rapid Assessment Report conducted by humanitarian partners indicate significant gaps in key areas, including WASH, non-food items (NFIs), protection services including GBV support, and, food security and emergency livelihoods. The assessment also highlighted the need to strengthen data collection and information management systems to enable more effective and targeted planning by both government and humanitarian agencies. Key immediate needs of people living in these most affected areas include drinking water, hygiene kits, NFIs including kitchen kits, sleeping kits, emergency shelter repair kits and protection support especially for dignity kits and GBV services is required to support women and adolescent girls. Farmers and fisherfolks living in isolated coastal communities, will also require immediate livelihood support so as not to fully depend on food assistance. In these hard-to-reach areas, only limited relief assistance has been provided in the first few days of the response. Continued efforts need to be pursued to reach those who are far and isolated locations.