U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTBUREAU
FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- On September 26, Tropical Storm Ketsana made landfall in the northern Philippines with maximum sustained wind speeds of approximately 53 miles per hour (mph), bringing sustained heavy rains throughout Luzon Island. The storm moved eastward, re-intensifying over open water and made landfall in central Vietnam on September 29 with maximum sustained wind speeds of approximately 93 mph, with heavy rains resulting in flooding. Storm remnants continued westward towards Laos, leading to additional severe flooding.
- On September 29, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake generated a local tsunami that affected the Samoan islands.
- On October 3, Typhoon Parma made landfall in the Cagayan Province of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 92 mph, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). As of October 5, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GoRP) National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that Typhoon Parma affected more than 238,000 people, caused 16 confirmed deaths, and displaced nearly 71,000 individuals to evacuation centers.
- In addition, NDCC reported that Tropical Storm Ketsana affected more than 3.9 million people, leaving 295 dead, while more than 335,000 people remained displaced in shelters.
- USAID/OFDA has allocated a total of $1.8 million for emergency grants to humanitarian organizations in the Philippines to be awarded based on current assessments. The total includes $1 million announced on Oct 2, and $800,000 announced on Oct. 5, 2009.
- In accordance with a request from the Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., in Samoa, on October 5 USAID/OFDA allocated an additional $250,000 to support tsunami relief and recovery efforts. This assistance is being programmed based on recommendations of USAID/OFDA regional advisors in consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Apia.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
| ||
Country | Estimated Affected Population | Source |
Laos |
16 dead, 37,500 displaced,
155,500 affected
| IFRC - October 3, 2009 |
Philippines |
311 dead, 406,504 displaced,
4,167,279 affected
| NDCC - October 5, 2009 |
Samoa (Tsunami) |
135 dead, 35,000 displaced
| OCHA - October 4, 2009 |
Vietnam |
170 dead, 600,000 evacuated
| IFRC - October 5, 2009 |
FY 2009 AND FY 2010 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING
TO DATE
USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance
to Laos for Typhoon: $50,000
USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance to Philippines for Storms: $1,054,496
DoD Humanitarian Assistance to Philippines for Storms: To be determined
USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance to Samoa for Tsunami: $100,000
USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance to Vietnam for Typhoon: $600,000
Total USG Humanitarian Assistance to East Asia and the Pacific for Tsunami
and Storms: $1,804,496