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Philippine Typhoons Durian and Utor Update

Friday, December 15, 2006

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

The UN formally launched a flash appeal for the Philippines for Thursday, December 14, seeking an additional US$46 million for the next 12 months. The “Philippines 2006 Typhoon Appeal” aims to meet urgent relief needs and early recovery requirements of the four most recent typhoons to strike the Philippines in the past four months. This includes powerful Typhoon Durian (local name: Reming), which struck Southern Luzon on November 30. “The disruption of access to safe drinking water and the breakdown of waste management represent a major threat, and the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases is looming,” said OCHA. According to OCHA, at least 190,565 people remain internally displaced in 652 evacuation centers from all the typhoons, while another 332,638 homes were destroyed. OCHA reports most affected people are leaving evacuation centers. The typhoons also caused US$246 million in damage to agriculture, infrastructure and fishing farms. A total of 62 out of the country’s 79 provinces were affected. Typhoons remain the largest killers in the Philippines, followed by earthquakes, volcanoes and floods. According to the latest NDCC figures for Durian, at least 734 people have been confirmed dead and 762 others missing. Another 2,360 people have been injured. About 3.2 million people have been affected, while nearly 96,000 people were in 531evacuation centers. Current numbers are not available. Durian’s damage is now estimated to be more than 5.084 billion pesos (US$103 million). OCHA reports that relief supplies are still required in Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines Sur. Sto. Domingo and Bacacay in Albay province currently remain accessible only by sea and foot and are likely to remain so for much of December. The estimated cost of assistance from both foreign and national sources is estimated at 79.1 million pesos (US$1.6 million) according to the NDCC. The Department of Health (DOH) has reported cough, colds and fever as the leading causes of consultation. However, there is no increasing trend in diarrhea cases in evacuation centers in Daraga and Legazpi City, Albay province. Meanwhile, the death toll from Typhoon Utor (local name: Seniang), which swept through the Central Visayas and Southwestern Luzon regions last weekend, rose to 30 today. The typhoon passed just south of areas affected by Durian in Southern Luzon, and caused over 744 million pesos (US$15 million) in damage. (NDCC, Phil Inq, AFP, OCHA Dec-15)

 

Impact

 

·       Affected:

 

Durian

3,190,744 persons in 3,042 barangays in 160 municipalities in 14 provinces in: Region IV-A (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal)

Region IV-B (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon)

Region V (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon – Bicol region). (NDCC, Dec-13) Highest numbers in Camarines Sur, Albay and Masbate provinces. (NDCC, Dec-13)

 

Utor

880, 663 persons in 1,146 barangays in 17 provinces:

Regions IV-B (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon provinces)

Region V (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon – Bicol region)

Region VI (Aklan, Antique. Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Palawan provinces – Western Visayas)

Region VII (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor – Central Visayas)

Region VIII (Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte – Eastern Visayas) (NDCC, Dec-15)

 

·       Evacuees:

 

Durian

From almost 700 evacuation centers, there remain 488 evacuation centers providing temporary shelter to 89,325 people, mostly in Bicol. (Dec-12, GOP)

 

Utor

56,313 persons in 151 evacuation centers (NDCC, Dec-15)

 

·       Damaged houses:

 

Durian

228,436 totally and 359,601 partially (NDCC, Dec-14)

 

Utor

9,553 totally and 33,493 partially (NDCC, Dec-15)

 

·       Affected areas:

 

Durian

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

 

Utor

Southern Luzon and Visayas regions. Tacloban City and Biliran province placed under state of calamity. (Phil Inq, Dec-12)

 

·       Infrastructure damage

 

Durian

 

Infrastructure damage estimated at 1.6 billion pesos (US$32 million). (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Water services from Kawayan to resume within 45 days in Catanduanes; Global and cellular networks may resume service in 2 to 3 days. (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Power to be restored in parts of Albay-Sorsogon and Camarines Sur from December 16 to December 24. (Dec-14, NDCC) No power in Albay; 30% power in Camarines Sur. (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Dept. of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) said that next heavy rainfall could result in flooding in Albay because several dams and dikes around Mount Mayon have been destroyed. Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seimsology) and DPWH to carry out survey. (Dec-12, Phil Inq)

 

Government plans to resettle residents in danger/high-risk areas. Identified resettlement sites are in Anislag, Darag; Banquerohan, Legazpi City; and San Andres, Sto. Domingo. (Dec-12, GOP) 10,000 families living in proposed exclusion zone around Mayon to be resettled. Legazpi City will relocate 1,000 families; In Daraga, 5,397 families will be relocated; 900 families will be relocated in Guinobatan; 1,328 families in Camalig; 820 families in St. Domingo. Relocation sites are both public and private properties in nearby areas. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

Widespread communications outages remain in most affected areas. Two mobile phone companies generally working in Camarines Sur and Albay during downtimes during the day. Only means of communication in Catanduanes is Single Side Band (SSB-HF) radio with links to Legaspi City in Albay and NDCC OPCEN in Manila. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

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

 

Utor

 

Infrastructure damage estimated at 281,172,000 pesos (US$5.7 million). (Dec-15, NDCC)

 

Quezon province has 100% power; Mindoro has 70% power; Only Boac town in Marinduque has power; Panay has 100% power; Biliran has 0% power; Samar has 75% power; Leyte has 100% power; Panay has 100%. (NDCC, Dec-15)

 

Restoration of power in affected areas (Region IV-A, Region VI, Region V and Region VIII) targeted between December 15 to end of December. (NDCC, Dec-15) Transco working to restore power in Eastern Visayas before Christmas (December 25). At least 10 towns in hardest-hit Eastern Samar province still without power. Northern Samar, which was badly affected by Typhoon Xangsane (local name: Milenyo) in September, is still without power. (Phil Inq, Dec-14)

 

SMART Communications reported that despite Typhoon Utor, cellular coverage not disrupted in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Western Samar, although some sites were non-operational for a short period of time. (NDCC, Dec-15)

 

Roads in Central and Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas destroyed by Utor. (Phil Inq, Dec-11)

 

·       Economic damage

 

Durian

NDCC says agriculture damage estimated at 3.486 billion pesos (US$70.4 million). (Dec-13, NDCC)

 

Shortage of construction and food supplies reported in Catanduanes; Construction shortage in Albay, but prices and supply of basic necessities stable; Prices of basic necessities stable in Sorsogon and Carmines Sur. (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Department of Agriculture said that impact on national and regional rice and corn production is very minimal because most crops have already been harvested. (Dec-11, NDCC)

 

Utor

Agriculture damage estimated at 463,219,000 pesos (US$9.4 million). (Dec-15, NDCC)

 

Island province of Boracay reports damage of 44 million pesos (US$892,000) from damage to resorts, restaurants and tourist areas on the islands. However, tourist arrivals reportedly remain stable. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

Priority Needs and Requirements (for Durian-affected areas)

 

OCHA reports that Priority Needs are:

1.)   Emergency shelter items

2.)   Food (canned goods, infant milk etc)

3.)   Potable water

4.)   Paediatric medicines

5.)   Water/Sanitation

6.)   NFIs (blankets, cooking stoves, clothing etc)

7.)   Generator sets for hospitals

(Dec-15, OCHA)

 

Urgent relief items are available and can be purchased in the country; provincial officials of affected areas request that purchases be made, as far as practicable, in their localities to pump prime economic activities. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

Government Response

 

President Gloria Arroyo said government allocated 10 billion pesos (US$203 million) for relief and rehabilitation of areas affected by Durian and three other recent typhoons. (Dec-12, GOP)

 

OCHA reports that Philippine government had fully exhausted its National Calamity Fund of US$20 million by the third quarter of 2006 due to previous disasters of Leyte Landslides, Guimaras Oil Spill and Mt. Mayon eruptions. (Dec-15, OCHA)

 

Estimated cost of assistance by NDCC, DSWD, DOH, Local government units (LGUs), NGOs and other GOs amount to 66.86 million pesos (US$1.4 million). (NDCC, Dec-13)

 

Government organized 248-vehicle convoy on 12 December to bring relief and medical aid to the victims of Typhoon Durian in the Bicol Region. 44 government agencies and 16 NGOs, as well as private groups and foreign governments, joined aid efforts. (GOP, Dec-12) Caravan arrived in Pili, Camarines Sur and is expected in Legazpi City, Albay by December 14. (Phil Inq, Dec-13)

 

Search and retrieval operations in affected areas extended until December 15, 2006. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

NDCC and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) facilitated total of 15 sorties carrying relief goods (food, medicine, shelter items etc), manpower and equipment to Virac, Catanduanes and Legaspi City, Albay, from December 2 to 13. (NDCC, Dec-14) Facilitated release of 22,100 sacks of rise worth 18.79 million pesos (US$380,000) for Region V.

 

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided relief supplies to provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Virac, Catanduanes worth over 29.5 million pesos (US$242,000). (NDCC, Dec-12) Sent 13-member team of social workers to assess disaster operations and conduct critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) sessions for survivors. (Dec-12, GOP)

 

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 2.5 million pesos (US$50,573). (NDCC, Dec-14) Reports 117 cases of diarrhea from evacuees in Legazpi City. Improvement in availability of water supplies in most evacuation centers. However, required number of shelter and latrines remains inadequate. (Dec-13, NDCC) Continuing disease surveillance, prevention (polio and measles vaccinations for children), and water/sanitation and hygiene assistance.

 

Department of Agriculture plans assistance to farmers, including subsidies, rehabilitation, crop seeds, fish stock and veterinary supplies worth over 6.4 million pesos (US$130,000). (NDCC, Dec-10)

 

Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pledged to send additional 58 million pesos (US$1.2 million) to Bicol. (Dec-12, Phil Inq)

 

Utor

 

NDCC facilitated release of 1,100 sacks of rice. Estimated total government assistance is 3.6 million pesos (US$73,000). (NDCC, Dec-14)

 

Philippine Army conducting clearing operations in Mindoro provinces. Provincial disaster agencies and local government units conducting emergency relief and recovery operations. (NDCC, Dec-13)

 

National Response

 

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) served 845 families in five evacuation centres in Albay Province. Food and NFIs donated through PNRC were airlifted to Albay, Catanduanes and Marinduque Chapters via military C-130 flights for distribution to the affected families. (OCHA, Dec-10) PRNC assessment teams have been monitoring impact of typhoon in Sorsogon and Albay (team 1) and Camarines Sur and Quezon (team 2). (IFRC, Dec-11, IFRC) One PRNC team in Coron island assessing damage by Typhoon Utor. (Dec-13, PRNC)

 

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sent construction equipment and 269 construction personnel as part of government’s national relief caravan. Will stay in Bicol for one week. (Phil Inq, Dec-12)

 

Mayon Disaster Response Network (MDRN) distributed relief packs to 1,000 families in Guinobatan, Daraga, Legazpi and Sto. Domingo towns. (NDCC, Dec-14)

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

UNOCHA formally launched flash appeal for the Philippines. The “Philippines 2006 Typhoon Appeal” seeks an additional US$46 million to meet urgent relief needs and early recovery requirements for the next 12 months. (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Philippine 2006 Typhoon Appeal is broken downs as follows:

 

 

Typhoon Appeal is for aid work in the sectors of Agriculture, Camp Management, Coordination & Support, Early Recovery, Education, Food, Health, Logistics, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter, Water/Sanitation & Hygiene. (Dec-15, NDCC)

 

UNICEF dispatched some US$450,000 worth of shelter and NFIs to 16,700 families. (Dec-8, NDCC) Reports lives of 500,000 students in the Philippines were disrupted by the last five typhoons since September. (Dec-15, ABS-CBN)

 

World Food Program (WFP) said about 100,000 people are in need of food assistance in wake of typhoons in the last four months, and will provide emergency aid to 50,000 people while the government will provide food for the other half. (Dec-15, ABS-CBN)

 

World Health Organization (WHO) sending four New Emergency Health Kits – each sufficient to support 10,000 people for three months. (Dec-10, WHO)

 

NGOs/IOs

 

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) continuing mobile clinic around Legazpi with foreign and local staff. About 300 people/day have been arriving. Will continue work pending further assessment. (Dec-14, AMDA)

 

Australian Aid International (AAI)’s final members of Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) arrived in Philippines on December 10. Was requested to province disaster response assistance by local officials. Coordinating with Dept. of Foreign Affairs White Helmet Organization and PCGA. (Dec-14, AAI)

 

CARE Philippines initially distributed food and NFI supplies to 19,700 people in Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. Providing technical support to local agencies. (Dec-14, NDCC) Will assist in resettlement of families in Albay. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

Christian Aid arranging delivery of 1,000 emergency shelters. A further 5,200 most vulnerable people receiving shelter items, and 3,300 food packs distributed. (Dec-11, Christian Aid)

 

Christian Blind Mission (CBM) working with local partner organizations in Daraga (Simon of Cyrene), Batangas (NORFIL), Tabaco (Holy Face Rehabilitation Project for Mental Health), Naga (HELP Community Based Rehabilitation), Quezon (Operation Compassion) and Bicol (Bicol Cooperative). Second-phase support now being planned by CBM, to start in early 2007 for physical and psychosocial rehabilitation, and livelihood assistance. (CBM, Dec-14)

 

Food for Hungry International (FHI), partnership with MAP International and NWMT (Northwest Medical Teams) by providing medical assistance in Bicol region. (Dec-14, FHI)

 

Habitat for Humanity to help in resettlement of survivors in Albay. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

International Federation of the Red Cross (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) Sent 11-member FACT/RDRT (regional disaster response) team from South Asia and Southeast Asia; three delegates from French Red Cross, and IT/telecom emergency response unit (ERU), and delegate from regional logistics unit of Asia Pacific Service Center (APSC). (Dec-13, IFRC)

 

IFRC objectives are:

- At least one week of emergency food ration for approximately 25,000 families (125,000 affected persons), representing one-third of the families who lost homes and belongings.

- Basic household kits for 12,500 families, representing one-sixth of the families who lost homes and belongings.

- Selective construction materials and tools to repair 5,000 severely damaged houses.

- Better overall hygiene to 25,000 families to prevent an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

- Stress debriefing and immediate psycho-social support to affected people.

- Community-based disaster management (CBDM) training and organization of barangay disaster action teams (BDAT).

(IFRC, Dec-11)

 

International Organization for Migration (IOM) has begun to deliver emergency shelter and NFIs to estimated 5,000 households in hardest-hit provinces with US$250,000 from the UN CERF. IOM established operations hub in Legazpi and assessing needs of IDPs. IOM planning to make international appeal for additional US$6 million to provide relief for another 95,000 people in the Bicol region. (Dec-15, IOM)

 

MAP (Medical Assistance Programs) International distributing antibiotics for 500 families. (Dec-11, MAP)

 

Mercy Relief sending first four-member disaster response team to set up mobile teams in worst-hit areas on Wednesday (December 13). (Dec-13, ChannelNews Asia)

 

Oxfam sent five trucks carrying total of 189,000 liters of drinking water to Albay. Will begin programs in Albay and expand programs to other areas. Will also engage in emergency food and livelihood assistance. Total budget for six months is US$1.4 million. Will coordinate with local government, organizations and other international aid agencies. (Dec-9, Oxfam)

 

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines providing relief support and free clinics to over 2,500 families over a period of four days, staring on December 12 in Guinobatan, Legazpi City and Daraga in Albay. (Dec-13, Tzu Chi) Currently preparing water purification equipment to arrive at Daraga within the week. Also evaluating possible housing plan for survivors. (Dec-14, Tzu Chi)

 

World Vision distributed relief items, including NFIs and food, distributed for 56,000 people. (Dec-10, NDCC)

 

Foreign Governments

 

Canada funded water plant (144,000 liter/day capacity) in Bicol. (Dec-8, NDCC) Inflatable hospital to be installed in Camalig, water purification tablets worth US$1.4 million to be distributed. (Dec-10, NDCC)

 

Japan sending eight-member team of engineers and geologists to Albay to assess damage and give recommendations. (Dec-12, Phil Inq)

 

Malaysia sent two C-130 loads of supplies that are arriving in Legaspi City on December 13 due to delay from Typhoon Utor (Dec-12, NDCC)

 

Sweden sent 27 million pesos (US$547,000) through Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and release through Red Cross. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

Switzerland donated CHF 100,000 (US$83,000) through Swiss Red Cross. Caritas Switzerland committed CHF 200,000 (US$166,000). (Dec-14, NDCC)

 

Taiwan donated US$300,000. (Dec-15, Phil Inq)

 

Thailand donated 1,000 sacks of rice. (Dec-11, AP)

 

USAID has provided USD$250,000 as immediate cash assistance to relief organizations to procure relief items and for recovery programs. Relief goods worth some US$130,000 to PNRC from US arrived on Thursday (Dec 7). (Dec-7, INQ7)

 

Background

 

Typhoon Utor is the fifth typhoon to strike the Philippines since September. 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, which struck on November 30, 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.

 

NDCC 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)