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UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Region Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1 (1 January to 30 June 2023)

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • East Asia and the Pacific remains the most disaster-prone region in the world. More than 210 million children are highly exposed to cyclones; 140 million to water scarcity; and 120 million to coastal flooding. During the first half of 2023, the region has experienced multiple storms and cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and drought, alongside protracted conflict and civil unrest, which have displaced people from their homes and disrupted their access to basic services.

  • UNICEF prioritised delivery of life-saving assistance in response to Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin in Vanuatu, the dzud in Mongolia, the ongoing post-election violence in Papua New Guinea, and the growing humanitarian needs along the Thai-Myanmar border. UNICEF has also responded to outbreaks of polio and typhoid, alongside the ongoing COVID-19 response, food shortages, malnutrition and water scarcity. UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office has also provided substantial support to Myanmar for the response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the compounding impacts of Cyclone Mocha.

  • 1.85 million children received Vitamin A supplementation in Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Mongolia and the Pacific region. 8.26 million children were vaccinated against measles in DPRK, the Pacific, Philippines and Thailand. 8.88 million children were vaccinated against polio in DPRK, Indonesia and Philippines.

  • UNICEF continued supporting governments and partners across the region to strengthen shock responsive systems and structures. This holistic disaster risk management approach includes building local and national capacities for: climate and disaster risk analysis; emergency preparedness and child-, gender- and disability-inclusive humanitarian action; as well as strengthening programming within the humanitariandevelopment-peacebuilding nexus.

SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

East Asia and the Pacific remains the most disaster-prone region in the world. Children born in the region today are experiencing a six-fold increase in climate related disasters compared to their grandparents. Over the last 50 years, the region has witnessed 11 times increase in floods; 4 times increase in storms; 2.4 times increase in droughts and 5 times increase in landslides. Over 210 million children are highly exposed to cyclones; 140 million children are to water scarcity; and 120 million children to coastal flooding.

Several countries situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. The region is also significantly affected by the negative impacts of climate change, with more frequent and more intense cyclones, floods and droughts. In 2023, cyclones and severe storms have impacted Myanmar (Mocha), Vanuatu (Judy and Kevin) and the Philippines (Mawar (Betty), Nalgae (Paeng) and Dodong). The El Niño weather phenomenon is anticipated to further increase the risk of widespread drought and extreme weather events across the region. Drought-critical areas have already emerged in Papua New Guinea’s Enga and Southern Highlands provinces while Viet Nam is anticipating widespread drought in the next 12 months.

Several countries situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. The region is also significantly affected by the negative impacts of climate change, with more frequent and more intense cyclones, floods and droughts. In 2023, cyclones and severe storms have impacted Myanmar (Mocha), Vanuatu (Judy and Kevin) and the Philippines (Mawar (Betty), Nalgae (Paeng) and Dodong). The El Niño weather phenomenon is anticipated to further increase the risk of widespread drought and extreme weather events across the region. Drought-critical areas have already emerged in Papua New Guinea’s Enga and Southern Highlands provinces while Viet Nam is anticipating widespread drought in the next 12 months.

More than 1.8 million people in Myanmar are internally displaced due to protracted conflict and violence. Adding complexity to the humanitarian situation, Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Myanmar on 14 May. An estimated 3.4 million people live in the areas most affected by the Cyclone, including an estimated 1.2 million people displaced by violence. Access for children and their families to essential services such as health, protection, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and education is severely constrained. The humanitarian community estimates more than 500,000 individuals in the states and regions most impacted by the cyclone need humanitarian assistance.

The situation along the Thai-Myanmar border remains critical due to ongoing outbreaks of violence in Myanmar which have prompted villagers and internally displaced people (IDPs) to seek refuge in Thailand. The Royal Thai Government has established temporary safe areas along the border; however, many choose to stay in open areas without access to services. Almost 10,000 people, including at least 3,000 children, were staying in five temporary safety areas in Mae Hong Son province following an influx in mid-June 2023. The steady increase in both number of refugees and their length of stay has created additional needs for services for children.

The Pacific region faced various humanitarian challenges, including droughts, disease outbreaks, and natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, and tropical cyclones. Vanuatu was hit by two category 4 tropical cyclones, Judy and Kevin, in March 2023, causing significant damage to infrastructure and shelter and disrupting essential services including access to clean water, nutrition and health services. Almost half the population were affected – 148,981 people, including an estimated 58,000 children aged under 15 years – with the provinces of Shefa and Tafea hardest hit. Kiribati is facing a severe drought due to low rainfall and increased salinity in water sources. More than 94,000 people, approximately 79 per cent of the population, have been affected. Drought also posed challenges in responding to the typhoid outbreak in Tuvalu. Tuvalu also experienced a second wave of COVID-19 community transmission in June 2023.

In the Philippines, alert level 3 was triggered on 8 June for Mayon Volcano. As a precautionary measure 20,134 persons have been evacuated, of which 18,706 are staying in designated evacuation centers and may remain displaced from their homes for months. The country has also been hit by three cyclones and severe storms during the reporting period, while ongoing skirmishes in Mindanao continued to cause instability and community displacements.

Extreme winter weather in Mongolia, known locally as dzud, caused severe food shortages and left herder families struggling to afford basics. According to the Government’s June report, 14 of Mongolia's 21 provinces have been affected and 3.2 million livestock have perished, with vast implications for herding families and their children’s wellbeing. As a result, 213,000 people, including 80,000 children, required humanitarian aid, including food, access to health facilities and hygiene items. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is also facing major food scarcity aggravating existing food insecurities. Government restrictions and border closures have impacted UNICEF’s ability to monitor the situation and effectively respond to the needs.

In Papua New Guinea, violence related to the 2022 general elections has continued in the Highland regions in 2023 and the situation remains volatile after the withdrawal of the Defence Force from the conflict area in April 2023. Meanwhile, tensions over resources in the Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands provinces have escalated resulting in more than 400 deaths, affecting an estimated 265,000 people and displacing more than 21,000 people into other provinces. Internally displaced people had limited access to WASH, food, education and health services, including basic first-line care. Eleven of 33 schools in Porgera, Enga province, remain closed due to violence.