Philippines: Typhoon Season 2009 Situation Report No. 20

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 24 to 30 November 2009. It addresses Typhoon Parma/Pepeng, Tropical Storm Ketsana/Ondoy, Typhoon Mirinae/Santi and Tropical Depression Urduja. The next report will be issued on or around 7 December.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- Tropical Depression Urduja caused significant damage to the Visayas region. To date, no request for international assistance has been made.

- The Mayon volcano in Albay province continues to show signs of activity with ash explosions and tremors. This poses a serious threat to the surrounding areas.

- The Financial Tracking Service (FTS) reports that as of 24 November, the revised Philippines 2009 Flash Appeal has been 23.4 percent funded, having received US$33 million of the revised request for $143.77 million. This represents an increase of only 1.4 percent in the requested funding during this reporting period.

II. Situation Overview

Tropical Depression Urduja caused significant damage to the Visayas region. To date, there have been no requests for international assistance. Although the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) originally reported a much higher number of affected persons, the figure now stands at 12,326 families (48,129 persons) in 167 barangay (village/district). This data is based on a more detailed assessment of the areas affected. Landslides and floodwaters caused 17 reported casualties, including four deaths and 13 injuries. More than 12,000 people took refuge in 33 evacuation centres (ECs) (NDCC, 29 November).

- The Mayon volcano in Albay province continues to show signs of activity with ash explosions and tremors, posing a serious threat to the surrounding areas. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the NDCC continue to monitor the situation and are preparing for possible eruption scenarios in the coming weeks. On 25 November, a joint Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) aerial assessment and preparedness assessment of Albay Province, Region V, took place as part of the Phase II preparedness protocol.

- The FTS reports that as of 24 November, the revised Philippines 2009 Flash Appeal has been 23.4 percent funded, having received $33 million of the revised request for $143.77 million. This represents an increase of only 1.4 percent in the requested funding during this reporting period. Many clusters remain seriously underfunded, affecting their capacity to implement relief and early recovery projects.