Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (30 May - 5 June 2017)

SRI LANKA

As of 2 June, the Disaster Management Centre reported that more than 600,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides that struck Sri Lanka on 24 May. As a result of the disaster, 9,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed and 66,000 people are living in temporary shelters; in the most severely affected areas - Galle, Kalutara, Matara and Ratnapura - temples and schools are still being used as safe locations for those who cannot return home due to the risk of further landslides. On 2 June, the HCT launched the Floods and Landslides Emergency Response Plan which seeks $22.7 million to provide life-saving assistance to 374,000 people.

PHILIPPINES

As of 5 June, more than 212,000 people have been displaced by the Marawi City conflict; approximately 80 per cent of the populations of Marawi City and the neighbouring municipality of Marantao. Most are staying with relatives or friends in other areas, but at least 18,000 people are in 29 evacuation centres. About 35,000 people are estimated to be unable to leave Marawi City, where military operations continue against the Maute Group. While humanitarian access remains limited in most parts of Lanao del Sur, the Mindanao Humanitarian Team are in Iligan City coordinating the international humanitarian community in support of the Government-led response.

BANGLADESH

An estimated 3.3 million people have been affected by Tropical Cyclone MORA, which made landfall in Chittagong Division on 30 May. Six people were reportedly killed, 136 people injured and 200,000 people displaced by the disaster. As of 3 June, 540,000 people are estimated to require humanitarian assistance. The most severely affected area has been Cox’s Bazar, where more than 300,000 Rohingya refugees and Undocumented Myanmar Nationals are residing. Six Rohingya settlements in the area have reportedly been severely affected, with up to 70 per cent of shelters as well as latrines, clinics and other infrastructure damaged. Agencies working in Cox’s Bazar and other affected areas, are providing assistance in support of the Government response.

MYANMAR

The Government of Myanmar and international and national humanitarian partners are conducting assessments and responding to needs following Tropical Cyclone MORA. As of 2 June, the Government reported that over 4,600 houses were destroyed and 11,700 houses damaged.
The most severely affected areas are in the northern part of Rakhine State. In the IDP camps in central Rakhine State, hundreds of shelters, temporary learning spaces and latrines also suffered damage or collapsed due to the strong winds.