ReliefWeb

Highlights

• WFP urgently needs US$ 20.8 million to provide life-saving food and cash to support 250,000 people in the most affected areas; US$ 4 million to sustain transport support to the Government; and US$ 1 million to support reestablishment of communication services.

• Since the onset of Typhoon Odette, WFP has so far mobilized 79 trucks and transported 119,500 government food packs and other relief cargo.

Situation Update

• Typhoon Odette – international name “Rai” – barrelled through the Philippines from 16 December, affecting Northern Mindanao, parts of Visayas, and making its ninth landfall on Palawan on 17 December.

• The Government of the Philippines continues to assess the extent of the damages following its aftermath and leads humanitarian efforts in affected regions.

• While telecommunications, transportation, power and other services have been restored in some areas, many remain inaccessible and disconnected. Means of transportation are still limited, therefore slowing down relief efforts; while some islands are accessible by ferries, WFP is assessing last mile access. Humanitarian needs in some areas are yet to be fully assessed.

• According to the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan launched by the Humanitarian Country Team, Typhoon Odette has damaged more than 201,000 houses and caused US$ 51.6 million of agricultural losses.