Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (1 - 7 August 2017)

JAPAN

Typhoon Noru has weakened to a Category 1 cyclone as it moves across western Japan. As of 7 August, two deaths were reported. In western Japan, an estimated 15,000 people were provided with temporary evacuation advisories as of the morning of 7 August. As the system moves slowly towards the main island of Honshu, authorities warn of a heightened risk of landslides, flooding and storm surges in the coming days.

CHINA

Since 29 July, flash floods in Shaanxi Province have caused 10 deaths and prompted the evacuation of an estimated 76,800 people. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have allocated 100 million yuan (about US$ 15 million) for flood relief operations. Parts of Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces were also affected by localized flash floods, where authorities issued landslide warnings. The flood relief efforts are led by local authorities; no request for international assistance is expected.

76,800 people evacuated

MYANMAR

Monsoon rains have caused seasonal floods across five states and six regions including the Union Territory. As of 3 August, more than 72,000 people remained displaced/evacuated in flood affected townships, according to the Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD). In July, more than 200,000 people (cumulative) were displaced or evacuated due to monsoon floods, however, in some areas, flood waters have receded and people returned to their homes. RRD, local authorities, the military, Myanmar Red Cross and INGOs provided assistance to affected families.

THAILAND

Seasonal monsoon floods continue to affect North, Northeast and Central Thailand. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), cumulatively, 1.8 million people have been affected in 44 provinces. As of 7 August, the water level is receding in most areas, about 990,000 people in 10 provinces remain affected by the floods.The situation is categorized as provincial-level emergency. Provincial authorities are leading the local response, with support from the Thai Red Cross and other partners providing relief items. As heavy rainfall continues, authorities have warned of additional floods and landslides across the northern and central provinces. No international assistance is expected for this response.

1.8 million people affected since the begining of the monsoon season

PHILIPPINES

As of 2 August, an estimated 360,000 people remain displaced by conflict in Marawi City. About 23,000 people are in 75 designated evacuation centres, while the rest are staying with host families or in other temporary shelters. Authorities estimate that about 80 to 100 civilians are being held hostage by militants. Humanitarian partners report that health facilities in municipalities to the east of Lake Lanao are overwhelmed with the influx of patients and are under-resourced. Initial assessments by the Department of Education – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has identified at least nine elementary schools and one high school that have been damaged or destroyed. A total of 132 schools have been closed due to the conflict, affecting about 22,700 students and nearly 3,000 teachers.