PACIFIC DISASTER MANAGEMENT INFORMATION NETWORK (PDMIN)
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Typhoon Durian Update

Friday, December 8, 2006

 

 

 

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

 

Current Status

 

Anthony Golez, the head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), today (Friday, December 8) said that relief operations have started to reach remote areas that previously were not receiving aid in regions devastated by Typhoon Durian (local name: Reming) last week. He added that the distribution of relief in the worst-hit Bicol region (in the southeastern part of the Luzon region) was going smoothly. However, damage reports have increased considerably. The National Disaster Coordinating Center (NDCC) said on Friday at least 635 people are confirmed dead, while another 764 people are missing. Another 2,143 people have been injured. Meanwhile, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo today ordered the mandatory evacuation of Albay residents living in landslide-prone areas in the Bicol region as Tropical Storm Utor (local name: Seniang) approached the eastern Philippines. Officials said that as many as 20,000 families may have to be relocated. According the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Utor is expected to make landfall over southern Samar province, in the central Visayas region, at noon tomorrow (Saturday, December 9), and is expected to reach Tacloban city in Cebu province by the afternoon. It is expected to cross western Palawan province on Sunday (December 10) until Monday (December 11). Public storm signal no. 3 (the second highest of four levels) has been raised over Eastern Samar province, while Public storm signal no. 1 has been raised over areas affected by Durian in the Bicol region. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has warned residents in Albay province, especially devastated areas around Mount Mayon, to be on guard for more mudslides and floods. According to the latest NDCC statistics, the number of people affected by Durian has nearly doubled to over 2.5 million in 148 municipalities and 12 cities in 13 provinces. The number of evacuees has also risen to 109,411 in 475 evacuation centers. The damage estimate has almost tripled to over 3.3 billion pesos (US$66.5 million) [including over 1.3 billion pesos (US$26.2 million) to infrastructure and over 539 million pesos (US$10.8 million) to agriculture]. Meanwhile, government and international relief efforts continued. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said today that with the assistance of foreign donors, there is an adequate supply of relief supplies. Relief operations have also been terminated in Region IV-A (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal) since December 5. However, the government plans to launch a flash appeal through the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UN OCHA) shortly for relief and rehabilitation. Officials also stepped up disease surveillance efforts at evacuation centers, and administered polio and measles vaccinations to children. According to the Philippine Inquirer, aid workers have said that water and sanitation, as well as hygiene, remained problems. The recovery of bodies is still ongoing and are being quickly buried due to the strong smell. However, a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory said that bodies are unlikely to be source of disease outbreaks, and forensic experts are reportedly exhuming bodies for proper identification and burial. Meanwhile, although major roads are opened, large relief trucks are reportedly still unable to reach remote areas. Electrical, communications and water services in most affected areas have still not been restored. (NDCC, GOP, Phil Inq, AFP, and ABS-CBN, Dec-07,08)

 

Impact

 

Affected: 2,560,374 persons in 2,475 barangays in 148 municipalities in Regions IV-A (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal provinces), IV-B (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon provinces) and V (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon provinces). (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Evacuees: 109,411 displaced people in 475 designated evacuation centers (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Damaged houses: 122,269 totally and 218,747 partially (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Affected areas:

 

Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, parts of Camarines Norte and Sur, Marinduque, Batangas, Quezon and Luzon.

 

Areas declared under state of calamity: Albay, Marinduque and Carmines Sur provinces.

 

NDCC today released report on compound effects of last three major typhoons, Xangsane (Milenyo) in September, Cimaron (Paeng) in October and Durian (Reming) in December. Total casualties are at 808 dead, 2,652 injured and 820 missing. Total displaced estimated at 350,329. (UNICEF, Dec-08)

 

Infrastructure damage

 

Infrastructure damage estimated at 3.32 billion pesos (US$67 million). (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Main roads in affected provinces have been cleared, however, widespread power and communications outages remain in most affected areas; disruption of water supply also remains a major concern. (Dec-03, OCHA)

 

National Transmission Corp. (Transco) has set a “sentimental target” of restoring all power lines in Bicol by Christmas by setting up a temporary Emergency Restoration Systems. Estimated cost is 1 billion pesos (US$20,000). It would take at least two more weeks to restore power in Albay and Legazpi City. Power in Sorsogon and Naga-Tiwi lines would be restarted on December 16 and Naga-Labor lines on December 28. (Phil Inq, Dec-07)

 

Department of Education (DOE) has produced rapid damage assessment. 2,321 schools have been completely or partially destroyed with repair estimated at 1.13 billion pesos (US$22.7 million). In Albay province, 90% of schools have sustained nearly total damage. DOE has released 200 million pesos (US$4 million) for repairs. (Dec-08, UNICEF, Manila Times)

 

Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) conducting clearing operations in Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Catanduanes. (Dec-04, NDCC)

 

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said that damage to agriculture was estimated at 330 million pesos (US$6.4 million) in Albay alone. (Phil-Inq, Dec 6)

 

Economic damage

 

NDCC says agriculture damage estimated at over 539 million pesos (US$10.8 million). (Dec-08, NDCC)

 

Priority Needs and Requirements

 

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Priority Actions:

1.)   Coordinating international and national relief assistance

2.)   Sustaining emergency relief operations in all critical and affected areas

3.)   Formulate and develop early recovery plan (beyond relief) in areas affected by typhoons Durian, Xangsane and Cimaron. (Dec-06, NDCC)

 

NDCC Priority Needs:

a.)   Water and Sanitation: Provision of drinking water and water purifying tablets

b.)   Health: Medical teams, social workers and medicines

c.)   Food: Relief goods such as rice, noodles, sardines etc.

d.)   Non-food: Blankets, mattresses

e.)   Emergency: Shelter, tents

f.)    Logistics and communications (Dec-06, OCHA)

 

Government Response

 

President Arroyo declared state of national calamity on December 3 (Sunday), and authorized 1 billion pesos (US$20.17 million) for the effects of the three successive Durian (Reming), Cimarron (Paeng) and Xangsane (Milenyo) typhoons. (OCHA, Dec-03)

 

13-member Quick Response Team from DSWD still in Bicol Region to assist local workers in disaster operations and conducting incident stress briefing (CISD) to survivors. (GOP, Dec-08) Search of bodies and relief activities still ongoing. Government engineering units clearing secondary and tertiary roads; local search and retrieval teams have been deployed to affected areas; national agencies conducting inter-agency needs assessments ongoing. (OCHA, Dec-05)

 

Relief operations have been terminated in Region IV-A (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal) since December 5. (GOP, Dec-08)

 

Estimated cost of assistance by NDCC, DSWD, DOH, Local government units (LGUs), NGOs and other GOs amount to 46.6 million pesos (US$940,000). (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

NDCC and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) facilitated 10 sorties carrying relief goods (food, medicine, shelter items etc), manpower and equipment to Virac, Catanduanes and Legaspi City, Albay via the Philippine Air Force for Operation Blessing. (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided a total of 6.2 million pesos (US$125,000) worth of relief consisting of 400 tents and other supplies. (GOP, Dec-08)

 

Department of Health sent four teams conducting rapid health assessment and disease surveillance. Distributed medicines, medical supplies and body bags to Bicol region, amounting to over 2.4 million pesos (US$48,000). Conducting measles and polio vaccinations for children. Working to identify possible water supply sources. (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Vice President Noli de Castro ordered housing agencies to impose six-month moratorium on housing loan payments in affected areas. National Housing Authority preparing inventory of resettlement sites in affected provinces. (Phil Inq, Dec-07)

 

Manila councilors sending water-purifying stations to Legazpi City, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan and Sto. Domingo towns, as well as 5-10 million pesos in aid. (Phil Inq, Dec-07)

 

National Response

 

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) shipping relief supplies via Philippine Air Force to Catanduanes, Albay and Marinduque chapters. (NDCC, Dec-08) Conducting coordination with local PDCC (Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council) and local government units (LGUs). Serving 845 families in five evacuation centers in Daraga, Albay. (NDCC, Dec-06) Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) since Friday (Dec 1) provided emergency food relief to some 9,000 people. PNRC prepared to provide around 40,000 with non-food items when assessments finished. Emergency Response Unit being mobilized to provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. (PNRC, Dec-06)

 

Mirant Foundation provided 1 million pesos (US$20,000) in cash and medicines. (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

Peace Equity Access for Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. gave 2 million pesos (US$40,000) worth of relief goods for Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes. (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

SMART Communications gave free calling center in Albay. (NDCC, Dec-08)

 

International Response

 

The Philippine government said that it is willing to accept offers of assistance from foreign governments, aid agencies and the UN. (Dec-03, OCHA)

 

NDCC stated on Sunday (December 3) that there is no need for international search and rescue teams. Relief items are also available in the country and can be purchased locally. (Dec-03, OCHA)

 

United Nations

 

GOP reports UN Resident Representative with President Arroyo will launch a Flash Appeal to the international community through UNOCHA. (Dec-8, GOP)

 

A UN inter-agency assessment team has been deployed in Albay province. (Dec-5, OCHA) NDCC has asked the United Nations to provide satellite imagery of areas hit by landslides. (Dec-01, UN)

 

UNICEF Led UN inter-agency assessment team to Albay on 5 December and provided 4,000 family packs consisting of rice, canned goods, mattress, blankets) and medicines (Dec-5, OCHA) UNICEF is working on the assumption that 45 percent of those affected are likely to be children. (Dec-5, UNNS) UNICEF mobilized and dispatched some US$450,000 worth of family care packs, tarps, 400 ltr water tanks, 20 gallon water gerry cans, water purification tablets, generators, mosquito nets and tents. Aid will be distributed to 16,700 families in the five worst affected provinces. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

UNOCHA is considering an application for funding from the Central Emergency response Fund (CERF) for purchase of emergency supplies. (Dec-5, OCHA) Has provided US$1-2 million for local purchase of relief supplies. (Dec-04, NDCC)

 

UNRC is in close contact with the NDCC and offered full UN support in facilitating international assistance (Dec-5, OCHA)

 

World Health Organization (WHO) giving priority to distributing potable water as well as water purification tablets. At government’s request, WHO will furnish water purification equipment and is pre-positioning emergency health kits to care for 10,000 people for three months. (Dec-5, UNNS) WHO says officials must ensure care for survivors instead of shifting resources to mass burials, in an attempt to dispel the belief that corpses breed disease. (Dec-7, INQ7)

 

NGOs/IOs

 

Action by Churches Together (ACT) reports that Christian Aid, through its implementing partners, is planning to join with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) in an ACT Appeal to provide assistance. Sent US$50,000 to National Council of Churches in the Philippines. (Dec-6, ACT)

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has provided food and emergency aid to those affected. In Albay, ADRA provided 550 families with assistance. In Quezon and Batangas, 350 families received food aid. ADRA will sponsor a medical team to provide 6,000 families with assistance. Another 780 families in Bicol will receive aid, while ADRA will assist 142 homeless families build shelters. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Australian Aid International (AAI) has deployed a DART to Bicol, Luzon. The team will contain doctors, nurses, paramedics and public health workers. (Dec-4, AAI)

 

CARE using US$70,000 from its emergency response fund. Assessing damage in Catanduanes and Albay. Planning to dispatch emergency experts from offices in region and CARE emergency group in Geneva. (Dec-7, CARE) provided relief to 1,000 affected families and sent assessment team to Albay. (Dec-04, CARE)

 

Catholic Relief Services announced that it committed US$500,000 to provide emergency relief and recovery assistance. CRS is working closely with Caritas Philippines in assessing the damage.

 

Christian Aid committed an initial US$102,000. (Dec-6, CA)

 

Christian Blind Mission and local partners assisting in relief. (Dec-6, CBM)

 

Christian Children’s Fund is establishing a Child Centered Space in Pili where greatest number of children affected by the storm. CCF did initial damage assessment in affected areas. (Dec-5, CCF)

 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) says it is preparing response. (Dec-5, CRWRC)

 

DHL Express Asia Pacific has offered assistance in airport logistics management. DHL has committed 4 trucks to transport relief supplies from DSWD’s warehouse in Pasay City to Bicol. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Global Medic, a Toronto based NGO, to deploy an Emergency Rapid Response Team to bring supplies to Bicol. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has dispatched a FACT team to support the PRCS in assessing the situation. Deployed two specialized assessment teams to the region. (Dec-5, OCHA) IFRC sent out its latest appeal of US$ 7,318,798 to support the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) to assist 200,000 beneficiaries for nine months. (IFRC, Dec-04) IFRC released initial emergency assistance of 100,000 Swiss Francs (US$83,769). (OCHA, Dec-03) Netherlands Red Cross pledged 40,000 Euros (US$53,339). (OCHA, Dec-03)

 

Lutheran World Relief is responding to the situation with US$15,000 contribution through ACT. (Dec-7, LWR)

 

Mercy Malaysia provided humanitarian services in Albay and coordinating with DOH Regional Health Unit and will distribute hygiene kits (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Oxfam is sending out public health experts to assist staff on the ground. Immediate response is in Albay province, where Oxfam is trucking in clean water and distributing emergency items to 30,000 people. (Dec-5, Oxfam) Oxfam Great Britain to give US$585,805 for relief operations. Oxfam provided 30,000 bottles of 1.5 liter mineral water and hygiene kits directly to 30,000 people in Albay. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Plan International pledged US$80,000 to cover basic emergency requirements of survivors in Albay province; US$350,000 committed by international headquarters and US$1 million for immediate and long-term response in Albay, Camarines Sur and Marinduque Provinces. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Save the Children is mobilizing an initial response. Two alliance members, SC United States and SC Sweden have worked together during the Leyte mudslide. (Dec-7, SC)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) sent two representatives to Catanduanes to re-establish communications. (Dec-04, NDCC)

 

UAE Red Crescent Society offered material aid to the Philippines in coordination with IFRC. (Dec-5, Gov UAE)

 

World Vision says two relief teams were previously sent to Albay and Camarines Sur to conduct assessments. Another team is scheduled to leave for Catanduanes on Thursday aboard a C-130 aircraft, which also carries an initial 300 sacks of rice, sardines and beans for aid distribution.  The remaining team will leave for Marinduque within the week due to the inaccessibility of the province. World Vision staff were also sent to Albay to establish Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) as soon as possible in affected communities. These areas provide children with a safe place where they can play and re-establish a normal routine.   (Dec-5, WVI) WVI launched initial appeal for US$1 million. Will provide food and NFIs to 20,000 people within the week. (Dec-03, WVI) WV also preparing a two-year US$6 million rehabilitation proposal to respond to affected families’ long-term needs. USAID has given WV US$200,000 and WVI has received US$3,000 from Union Church of Manila, the funds, along with WV offices across the region, provides a total of some US$631,224 in relief funds thus far. (Dec-8, WVI)

 

Foreign Governments

 

AUSAid has pledged US$1 million in emergency assistance. (Dec-03, OCHA)

 

Canada has pledged CAD 1 million ($500,000 thru the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist with emergency and temporary shelter, non-food items, water and sanitation; $500,000 thru the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to support local organizations in facilitating the recovery of affected households and addressing future disaster preparedness needs) (Dec-5, OCHA) Water plant (144,000 liter/day capacity) arrived and will be transported to Bicol. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

China providing US$200,000 (Dec-6, NDCC)

 

Ireland sent US$397,000 in cash. (Dec-04, Phil Inq)

 

Israel sent US$7,500 worth of medicines

 

Japan has decided to provide emergency assistance in kind (tents, blankets, generators, water tanks/containers) of 20 million yen (US$170,000). JICA also pledged emergency assistance of US$1 million. (Dec-03, OCHA)

 

Malaysia sent 1 C-130 planeload (about 20 tons) of emergency relief supplies. (Dec-04, NDCC) Two C-130 loads of supplies will arrive at Legaspi Airport on December 9. (Dec-5, NDCC)

 

Indonesia has sent 2 C-130 military aircraft arrived in Legaspi City with 25 tons cargo with: 8 tons assorted medicines; 4 tons infant food; 20,400 kgs food, canned goods and sardines; 6,000 bottles sweet soy sauce; 6,000 bottles chilli sauce; 1,800 bottles cooking oil; 200 boxes instant noodles; 290 boxes oatmeal; 1,100 cartons biscuits; and, clothing such as 3,000 pcs women, 3,000 pcs children and 3,000 pcs men’s wears valued at IDR 1,168,614,840 (PhP 6,310,520.14) (Dec-5, OCHA)

 

Republic of Korea sending US$100,000 cash assistance. (Dec-04, NDCC)

 

Saipan: JPY 20,000,000 or PhP 9.0 M (tents, blankets, generators, water tanks/containers (Dec-5, OCHA)

 

Singapore: Relief supplies (food, tents, blankets, sleeping bags and medicines) arrived in two batches via Singapore Airlines. (Dec-5, OCHA) Package worth some US$50,000 (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Spain providing US$250,000 worth of relief goods in one plane load. (Dec-6, NDCC) Sent three-member medical team with one dog. (Dec-04, NDCC)

 

USAID has provided USD$250,000 as immediate cash assistance to relief organizations to procure emergency commodities such as blankets, mosquito nets, plastic mats, cooking utensils and to help finance the distribution of seeds to families whose crops were damaged by the typhoon as food for work program in Albay and further support local government efforts to clear roads and drainage infrastructure of debris. (Dec-5, OCHA) Relief goods worth some US$130,000 to PNRC from US arrived on Thursday (Dec 7). Supplies included 200 rolls plastic sheeting, 7,600 water containers, and 7,000 family hygiene kits. (Dec-7, INQ7) Provided US$200,000 to World Vision. (Dec-8, WVI)

 

Vietnam is sending 500 tons of rice by ship. (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Background

 

Typhoon Durian is the fourth typhoon to strike the Philippines in as many months. In late September, Typhoon Xangsane (local name: Milenyo) cut across Luzon, leaving over 250 people dead in the Philippines and Vietnam. It was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines since 1998. Like Durian, Xangsane had cut through southern Luzon and northern Visayas. It caused millions of dollars in damage to the Philippines and some damaged areas are still recovering from the effects of Xangsane. In October, powerful Typhoon Cimaron (local name: Paeng) killed 19 people and injured 58 others. Earlier in November, Typhoon Chebi (local name: Queenie) cut through Luzon, killing one person.

 

The largest numbers of casualties have been caused by landslides or floods caused by typhoons. In 1991, more than 5,000 people died in the central island of Leyte in floods triggered by Typhoon Thelma. In 2004, a series of typhoons and tropical storms left about 1,800 people dead or missing, including 480 who were killed when mudslides struck three towns in eastern Quezon province in the Luzon region.

 

Around 20 typhoon and tropical storms strike the Philippines each year. The Philippine typhoon season generally coincides with the annual wet season from June to November, although there are occasional typhoons in December.