1 Current humanitarian situation:
The island of Mindanao is now experiencing further stressors triggered by ongoing heavy rains over the last week. According to OCHA (Sitrep #16, 23 January) an additional 10,300 families/39,900 people, have been displaced from the Davao region due to the heavy rains. The areas worst affected are that of Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley are not only trying to deal with this recent flooding but are still trying to recover from the acts of Typhoon Bopha. The Philippine Government continues to carry out search and rescue missions.
Due to the increasing problems and vulnerability of the already affected people, it is expected that the Davao region will experience a slowing of response activities in these areas. The extensive rains have left some roads into these areas impassable due to landslides, damaged bridges and high water levels.
According to the OCHA Sitrep No 12, as of January 21st the DOH Health Emergency Alert Reporting System shows updated figures of at least 1,146 deaths with 2,956 injured, and 834 still missing as a result of Typhoon Bopha/Pablo that struck in December. A large proportion of the 834 still missing are thought to be from New Bataan, Compostela Valley and General Santos City.
The DOH Health Emergency Alert Reporting System (HEARS) figures regarding damage as of 21 January 2013 are as follows:
• 182 health facilities have been damaged in Davao Oriental, Agusan Del Sur and Suragio del Sur (169 in Region XI and 13 in Region 13), including:
o 1 Provincial Health Team Office (partially damaged),
o 7 hospitals (1 completely damaged, 6 partially damaged),
o 14 RHUs (4 completely damaged, 10 partially damaged)
o 160 BHSs (64 completely damaged, 96 partially damaged BHSs)
o The estimated total cost of damage to infrastructure is PHP 410,925,000, with the estimated total cost of damage to equipment is PHP 53,645,000.
The main area for healthcare identified by OCHA is the large need for urgent provision of pre/post natal check ups, supply of ‘dignity kits’ for pregnant and lactating women as well as support for teenage pregnancies.
The need for shelter across the region also remains a key focus of reports along, with that of food security. Mindanao is one of the Philippines’ key regions for food produce and many crops have been partially if not totally destroyed. Despite efforts to re-generate crops for partial harvest, the recent flooding has caused further damage, thus affecting food availability and consumption.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have released an updated Humanitarian Action Plan: Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Response – An Action Plan for recovery; appealing for a further $48million for assistance. See link for more information http://philippines.humanitarianresponse.info/document/typhoon-bopha-action-plan-revised-25jan2013.
2 Main areas of work in the last week:
Due to the lack of access for those affected by Typhoon Bopha and destruction of many health facilities in the region, AAI and Reach International have been carrying out mobile medical clinics (including minor surgeries) in the municipality of Laak. This week saw total of 634 patients between 2 Doctors and 5 nurses, with 15 surgical procedures being performed. Presenting complaints included common cough and cold, psychological trauma, hypertension and headache.
3 Progress Made:
This was the first visit into Laak municipality for the AAI and Reach Team since the typhoons hit. Contact was made initially with the Head of Police for approval to enter the area, followed by an escort to meet with the Second in command of the military. Only then were the team allowed to enter the municipality to meet with the Municipality administrator to arrange where work was still needed. Three Barangays were identified still thought to be in need. These baranguays had in fact seen government medical attention 3 weeks prior however these were 3-minute consults. Clinics were carried out in a school classroom and town halls.
4 Initiatives, training and staff mentoring that increase the capacity of local staff.
On the spot training occurs for staff for any interesting clinical case.
Planned formal lecture by Dr Jessica Holden for Monday 28th with the focus of menorrhagia.
5 Planned activities for the upcoming week.
This week will see AAI and Reach team members returning to the municipality of Monkayo where medical clinics have been carried out in some Barangays affected badly by the typhoon. We will continue to provide acute medical care.
Co-Authors: Emma Childs, Sophie Wallace and Jessica Holden
Access Aid International