Philippines: Typhoon Ketsana and Parma Situation Report No. 10

This report was issued by OCHA New York based on inputs from the OCHA Regional Office for Asia Pacific (ROAP) and OCHA Philippines. It covers the period from 13 to 16 October 2009 and addresses Typhoon Parma and Tropical Storm Ketsana. The next report will be issued on or around 19 October.

For a full National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC) report on the Government response, please visit www.ndcc.gov.ph

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- As of 15 October, the NDCC reports that 3,157,533 people have been affected by Typhoon Parma (Pepeng), with 374 confirmed deaths. A total of 4,320,699 people were affected by Typhoon Ketsana, with 337 confirmed deaths.

- Ninety-six cases of acute watery diarrhea and 230 cases of leptospirosis have been confirmed.

- Following the Government's request, Regions I, II, V and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been added in the allocation of food distribution due to severe flooding from Typhoon Parma. Support for assessments and logistics has also been requested.

- The main body of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team left the Philippines on 16 October having completed its assigned mission. The UNDAC team leader, deputy team leader and UNDAC environmental expert will remain in-country to support Inter- Agency Standing Committee (IASC) operational coordination and complete specific assignments. During its 15-day mission, the UNDAC team conducted 39 rapid needs assessments and follow-up/monitoring missions with Government and IASC partners.

- A developing and unnamed weather system, classified as Tropical Depression 22-W, is reported to have strengthened into a tropical storm. It is currently in the vicinity of Guam moving westwards. This may or may not affect the Philippines and is being carefully monitored.

II. Situation Overview

Intermittent but in places heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours continues to affect Regions I, II, III, IV-A, V, VI, CAR and NCR. This is leading to local flooding and an increased threat of mud and landslides. Of concern today is a developing and, as yet unnamed, weather system classified as Tropical Depression 22-W. It is reported to have strengthened into a tropical storm and is currently in the vicinity of Guam moving westwards. This may or may not affect the Philippines and is being carefully monitored.

The NDCC reports that as of 15 October 3,157,533 people have been affected by Typhoon Parma (Pepeng), with 374 deaths confirmed. A total of 4,320,699 people were affected by Typhoon Ketsana, with 227 confirmed deaths. The number of affected persons staying in evacuation centres has decreased significantly.

The affected population living with host families urgently need humanitarian aid.