Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (4 - 10 June 2024)

SRI LANKA

Since mid-May, heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds has severely impacted several regions of Sri Lanka, resulting in floods, landslides, casualties, and damage. Twenty-three districts have been affected, impacting over 250,000 individuals or 65,628 families. The death toll stands at 30, with 13,000 individuals taking refuge in 166 safety centers, mainly schools. The Hon. Minister announced renovations to reopen schools by 10 June 2024. The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) is providing cooked meals and non-food items, with financial allocations of LKR 600 per person for meals and LKR 1,800 to 3,200 per family for dry rations. The military is also preparing 20,000 meals daily. Preliminary reports indicate 8,545 houses partially damaged, 60 fully damaged, and 844 affected small and medium enterprises. Despite a potential decrease in adverse weather, the Department of Meteorology forecasts above-normal rainfall from July to September. Urgent relief items needed include polysack bags, tents, tarpaulin sheets, and back-to-school packs.

MYANMAR

Myanmar, with reports of surging civilian casualties amid ongoing conflict. In Rakhine, access restrictions remain severe despite growing needs since the resumption of conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and Arakan Army in November 2023. The fighting in Maungdaw and Thandwe townships has forced people to flee their homes. With the renewed conflict, there are 185,000 individuals newly displaced in Rakhine and Paletwa Township in Chin, bringing the total displacement in Rakhine to well over 350,000 people. In Kachin, civilians are also bearing the brunt of intensifying conflict. Since the beginning of 2024, it is estimated that almost 57,000 people have been newly displaced in Kachin, with most fleeing after an escalation of clashes between the MAF and Kachin Independence Army and its allies that started on 7 March. Wherever accessible, humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance in the face of growing needs across the country.

INDONESIA

On 4 June, torrential rains resulted in severe flooding in Tanah Bumbu District, South Kalimantan, directly affecting 5,545 households or 19,241 people, and temporarily displacing 124 people within the district. The flood submerged at least 3,080 houses and 845 hectares of rice fields for several days, with floodwaters beginning to recede as of 10 June. Additionally, on 7 June, landslides in Ende District, East Nusa Tenggara claimed four lives. Earlier on 3 June, a similar incident in Lumajang District, East Java resulted in three fatalities and one missing person, who is still being searched for. In all events, local governments, supported by provincial and national governments, have responded to the situation.

PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has maintained Alert Level 2 for Mt. Kanlaon after the phreatic eruption on 3 June. PHIVOLCS has reported 3,304 metric tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted as of 10 June. No deaths or injuries have been reported. The government has declared a 4-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano perimeter due to the higher alert level status. As of 11 June, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded a total of 29,000 affected people, with 4,752 people displaced and about 4,300 of them are in evacuation centers. The abundant amounts of sulfur dioxide coupled with severe ashfall and lahar flows have impacted the country's agricultural sector, with the estimated damage to agriculture at more than US $1.7m (PHP 104m). Meanwhile, the damage to agricultural farmlands has reached 1,052 hectares. Local partners on the ground, including the local diocese, have reported that lifeline services such as power and telecommunications are still running. However, those evacuated are in need of essential supplies such as drinking water, food packs, and medicine. In response to this, the national government has provided about US$ 159,000 (PHP 9.3 million) worth of emergency relief assistance and are currently managing the situation in support of the affected local governments. The municipalities of La Castellana and Canlaon have already declared state of calamity.

AFGHANISTAN

Since 10 May 2024, heavy rainfall and flooding have affected over 59,100 people (8,668 families) across northern, northeastern, and western Afghanistan. The disaster has resulted in 225 confirmed deaths, with Baghlan province suffering more than half of the fatalities. Additionally, 217 people have been wounded, and over 2,800 homes have been destroyed and 4,069 damaged. In the northeastern region, 18 health facilities, 45 public schools, and 30 community-based education classes, along with essential infrastructure, have been damaged or destroyed. The western region has seen 49 public schools and 113 community-based education classes affected. Ongoing assessments may reveal further damage. Initially, the De-facto Authorities deployed military helicopters due to road blockages in the northeastern region, though access has improved. Critical gaps include limited partner capacity in Ghor Province and the need for long-term recovery support including shelter repair and rebuilding of homes. In 2024, heavy rainfall and flash flooding have impacted over 119,160 people across 32 provinces.