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Philippines

Philippines: Typhoon OCHA Situation Report No. 8

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2007/0005

OCHA Situation Report No. 8
The Philippines - Typhoon 2006

Highlights

An estimated 62 provinces were affected by the series of typhoons that swept through the Philippines at the end of 2006. The wors affected provinces are Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes in the region of Bicol. While relief assistance has been provided, needs remain high for most of the 469,500 persons who are either in evacuation centers, with host families or have returned to their properties. All 93,900 families require urgent assistance in emergency shelter as well as food assistance for a period of 3-4 months to support them until the upcoming harvesting season.

To date only 7% of the Typhoons Appeal for USD 48.7 million has been secured.

Emergency shelter assistance continues to be the highest need with a reported disproportionate focus and assistance on families needing relocation at the expense of families whose houses were destroyed but returned to live on their land.

Humanitarian Situation and International Response

Displacement Update

1. Close to 300,000 persons continue to be displaced in evacuation centres and with host families in Albay province. Support for these families is critical as without it the congestion of evacuation centres and burden on host families will be prolonged. Furthermore, the impact of the typhoons has triggered retrenchments, lowered the purchasing capacity of labourers and given rise to unemployment as well as incidences of school dropouts. The Provincial Disaster Coordination Council (PDCC) looks at this group as needing urgent livelihood assistance to survive as well as temporary food assistance.

2. In Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, 18,042 and 15,900 families respectively have returned to their properties, living in shanty shacks or with relatives nearby. These families are considered vulnerable as they do not have the means to access shelter repair materials for the reconstruction of homes and appear to have been largely overlooked in the assistance distribution. In addition, education and health facilities (4,355 classrooms and 11 district hospitals), safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in towns and areas where there have been disease outbreaks in December need to be rehabilitated.

Food

3. Preliminary reports from Bicol local governments indicate the need for food aid support in Albay, Camarinas Sur and Catanduanes to economically displaced and farming families (including fisher-folk) with mainly rice for a period of 3-4 months during the lean period prior to the harvest.

4. While food assistance was provided through the Department of Provincial Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a supplement to the government's own resources, WFP provided sufficient food to meet the needs of 48,000 people. Using CERF funds WFP has purchased and distributed 100 metric tons (2,000 bags) of rice to the government for immediate distribution in Albay and Camarinas Sur. An additional 380 tons of rice and 25 tons of mung beans have been committed. WFP is also finalizing an agreement with the Antiopolo Seminary Foundation to provide food rations to 1,000 families in the island communities of Rapu-rapu, Batan and Cagraray. Under the UN appeal WFP plans to provide up to 5,000 MT of rice, 500 MT of mung beans and nearly 300 MT of vegetable oil, benefiting 500,000 people. This assistance would be primarily channelled through food for work activities. WFP is planning to conduct a food needs and will support the Government's transitional and recovery plan.

Shelter and Non Food Items

5. DSWD figures show 222,603 totally damaged and 301,729 partially damaged houses. It has been agreed that the definition of a partially damaged house is a damaged house that is located in a place that is deemed safe for return, and has remaining sufficient structural integrity to support and tie down a roof area of 3.5m2 per person. Any house with greater damage than this will be deemed totally damaged.

6. In Albay the Shelter Working Group opted to form a Strategic Advisory Group (SAGA) to advise the group on shelter related issues. The SAGA group is co-chaired by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) and the Social Action Centre. The SAGA produced a Strategic Framework to guide shelter programming for the next three months which is available on: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/shelterphilippinestyphoons06

7. Among government agencies and some NGOs there is a risk that planning for long-term housing has taken precedence over planning for the post emergency transitional period. Identifying and filling this gap has been one of the priorities of the Shelter cluster thus far. On the other hand there are complaints that the families needing relocation are receiving a disproportionate amount of attention and resources at the expense of families whose houses were destroyed but who live on 'safe' land. Regarding the displaced families, there are concerns that relocation centres fall short of SPHERE standards. Underscoring the difficulty in quantifying these observed gaps is the shortage of disaggregated data available centrally. Improved data collection and compilation and the validation of data concerning destroyed and damaged houses will allow better analysis of suspected gaps.

8. Although disaggregated data is still unavailable it is clear from field trips and agency assessments that the needs of affected families for shelter security significantly outweigh the current and planned responses of the humanitarian community.

9. UN Habitat has agreed to be focal point for long term housing and resettlement issues and Oxfam has agreed to facilitate SPHERE training in Albay, while the IFRC Coordination Team Technical Advisor has disseminated a technical assessment of needs and possible shelter responses. IOM have agreed to be the focal point for information management within the Shelter Working Group Albay and also have the responsibility to coordinate a Camp Management Working Group on issues regarding relocation to camps and camp management.

10. On NFIs, Oxfam and SAC have assisted 3,000 families (15,000 people) in Bakakay, Camlig, Guinobatan, Malilipot., Santo Domingo and Tabaco municipalities. The local government through the PDCC requested IOM to implement and administer a relief distribution database on their behalf. The database tracks the overall relief distribution on behalf of over 30 different agencies through an IOM support team who is coordinating the effort. IOM is exploring possibilities of expanding this database to other distribution points in the region.

Health

12. Overall the health situation appears to be under control with the number of diarrhoeal cases decreasing and the gradual decongestion of centres observed. The need to strengthen disease surveillance systems remains although no new cases of cholera, leptospirosis and tetanus have been reported lately.

13. Medical supplies were dispatched by various agencies including WHO, UNICEF, the Ministries of Health of Indonesia and Malaysia, OXFAM, UNESCO, ABS-CBN, MSF, Religious Daughters of Charity. As of 17 January, WHO has delivered to DOH USD 41,279 worth of medical supplies and equipment. UNICEF has sent PHP 25.4 M worth of aid which includes emergency health kits. Mercy Malaysia, Plan International, OXFAM, UNFPA, among others also distributed health and hygiene kits to affected communities. Roving medical teams were sent by many agencies and, in parallel various agencies are providing psychosocial interventions. Generators to provide power to health care facilities have been delivered by some agencies and WHO and UNFPA have ordered more.

14. Regarding infrastructure, MSF has started rehabilitating the damaged Ziga Hospital and WHO is supporting DOH Engineers on a mission to Albay and Catanduanes to conduct a technical evaluation of the essential health care facilities damaged by the typhoons.

15. Policies and guidelines for psychosocial interventions need to be developed to standardize the interventions offered by the different agencies and the improvement of Health Information Management System has also been identified as a need. For the health cluster bulletin and health cluster meeting see this link: http://www.wpro.who.int/sites/eha/disasters/Typhoon+Reming+%28Durian%29.htm

Nutrition

16. The cluster agreed to uphold the DOH guidelines concerning donations of milk for emergencies which provides that "No milk donations shall be accepted nor be part of general distribution during emergencies and disasters". This decision was reached based on the following:

a. Primary consideration is to protect infants and the practice of breastfeeding

b. Recommendations of WHO and UNICEF discouraging the use of infant formula during times of emergency or disasters

c. The use of milk for older children and adults as breast milk substitutes

d. Availability of adequate supply of clean water in evacuation centres cannot be assured

17. The cluster also agreed to strengthen the nutrition surveillance capacities in selected provinces by having UNICEF hire the services of a group to develop the protocol for nutritional assessment and surveillance in emergency situations. The output of the group includes, among others, training plans and manuals on rapid nutritional assessment, training of field workers, and mechanisms for coordinating with other partners and UN agencies.

18. Recent UNICEF assistance includes in Albay - 400 sacks of rice and 40,000 tins of sardines, in Camarines Sur- 12,000 pcs of noodles, 12,000 kgs of green mongo and 240 kgs of rice, in Marinduque-11,400 kgs of green mongo, 20,000 pcs of noodles, 400 sacks of rice and 3,000 packs of iodised salt and in Masbate- 300 sacks of rice, 150 cartons of sardines with 100 tins each. In addition 6,000 kgs of iodised salt, 36,000 kg of green mongo (legumes) , 36,000 packs of noodle and 720 sacks of rice were also delivered recently to Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Masbate.

Camp Coordination and IDP Management

19. An IOM camp management expert based in East Timor arrived on 8 January to undertake a review of shelter/camp site conditions. The expert visited IDP sites in the region and provided advice to agencies and government counterparts on the status of current IDP sites, those needing improvement or in some cases complete relocation.

20. IOM is purchasing 1,800 pieces of plywood (4 feet x 8 feet x ¼ inch), at government request, for the Taysan IDP Relocation Site. Plywood will be used for upgrading/reinforcing the temporary shelters in Taysan.

Water & Sanitation

21. While surveillance of diarrhoeal cases in Legaspi city is operational, there is an information flow gap in other areas. Decongestion of evacuation centres should be accompanied by increased WASH facilities and provision of solid waste disposal. A joint assessment of relocation centres was done with the local WASH working group in Albay and Camarines Sur.

22. Agencies that have responded include the Local Government Units (WASH facilities), Save the Children-US, World Vision, IOM and Oxfam that provided: emergency latrines in evacuation centres; latrines and hygiene kits for Daraga, Camalig, Legazpi (Bogtong, San Roque and Victory 27 & 28); water containers for Legazpi City; bottled treated water in the evacuation centres; water container for hospitals; bath houses and wash area and water quality monitoring. Plan Philippines and Mercy Malaysia provided hygiene kits, the Spanish government and Global Medic/PMSEA/MGB water purifiers. UNICEF in Albay provided 150 packs of water purification tablets, 60 water tanks, 5,000 water containers (20 ltr jerry cans with cap and faucet), in Camarines Sur-1,000 packs of water purification tablets, 4,948 water containers, in Catanduanes- 500 packs of water purification tablets and 2,822 water containers, in Marinduque- 500 packs of water purification tablets and 1,200 water containers, in Masbate- 500 packs of water purification tablets and 2,500 water containers. Another 6,000 water containers will be sent to Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Masbate.

23. Plans are in place for UNICEF to construct 100 hand pumps in relocation sites, transit centres, evacuation centres, schools and communities, 100 communal latrines in relocation sites, install 5 Steel Tank of 2000 lit and 10 of 1000 lit with multi faucets in Taysan Relocation Site, provide 100,000 Chlorine tabs (1 tab=1 lit) and 200 kg Chlorine Granuales, 500 pcs 20 lit water containers with caps and faucet, provision of 42 Chlorine and pH color comparator for water quality monitoring and 500 Hygiene Kits (family packs).

Education

24. UNICEF inspected some of the worst hit schools and day care centres in Albay and Camarines Sur and the Department of Education has submitted to UNICEF the list of damaged schools classified according to the extent of the damage. The Provinces of Albay and Masbate also submitted the list of day care centres which were heavily damaged. While schools and day care centres are being repaired and constructed, tents and tarpaulins were delivered to Albay, Camarines Sur, Marinduque and Masbate to serve as temporary school facilities. 85 more large UNICEF tents are in the pipeline to address the acute lack of classrooms. UNICEF will further assist in the construction and repair of schools and day care centres, including their watsan facilities. The Physical Facilities Division of the Department of Education is preparing the plans.

25. Student packs consisting of bags, notebooks and other school supplies have been delivered to Albay. Additional teachers' packs and school packs will be distributed this month

Agriculture

26. FAO has completed the preliminary rapid damage and needs assessment of the agriculture and fisheries sectors (report available). FAO is preparing a distribution of agricultural inputs in the the last week of January. FAO HQ has fielded a Rehabilitation and Emergency Policies Advisor to assist in establishing the emergency/early recovery programme in agriculture following the Typhoons Appeal and initiating the cluster meetings. The Adviser will also assist in resource mobilization; coordination of agriculture sectors with Government, the UN system and NGOs.

Early Recovery Cluster

27. In response to the needs of the Government for support in developing the early recovery framework and strategic plan, an inter-agency team, which will include the FAO livelihoods expert, will assess the early recovery needs with a view to identify and further develop early recovery projects contained in the Typhoons Appeal of 15 December 2006. The overall purpose of this early recovery needs assessment is to obtain a representative picture of the preliminary early recovery needs of the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged groups, particularly women impacted by the event.

Logistics

28. A WFP team arrived on 7 January to review logistics support requirements and clarify the roles, responsibilities and location of the proposed logistics cluster. The team which included WFP's global logistics cluster leader and the Regional Logistics Officer met with key agencies in Manila and travelled to Bicol from 10-12 January to meet with Government, transporters, IOM and NGOs as well as visit local ports. While the recommendations of the team are being finalized, the future logistics cluster plans to build on the established structure of the Provincial Governor in Legaspi, where it will likely be located.

29. IOM continues to provide logistical support services to 15 government and relief agencies, including transporting relief workers to disaster sites, delivering water containers, and providing technical assistance and advice. To date, cumulative relief distributions reaching over 19,000 families continue totalling 444 tons of food & non-food items through 85 trips/convoys using 31 trucks, 52 jeepneys, & 8 boats. IOM coordinated deliveries to Albay and Sorgoson IOM and more recently delivered 3 tons of goods to the hard-hit island of Catanduanes, IOM has also transported 25 tons from Manila to Camarines Sur.

30. IOM is planning the delivery of additional tents, school bags, elementary school supplies, and shelter materials as well as a radio tower (at the request of the local government) from Manila to Cantanduanes Island.

Protection

31. This cluster will be focusing on child protection and the situation of children especially orphaned and separated children.

Coordination

32. Out of the 11 clusters initiated in the Philippines, nine clusters have started meeting in Manila and the field with active NGO and government participation. Some of the clusters are co-chaired with the government while some especially in the field are led by NGOs. Both the Agriculture and Camp Management clusters are planning to have their first meetings in the coming weeks.

33. On 18 January, IASC members met in Geneva, joined by the UN Resident Coordinator Office as well as BCPR colleagues on mission by telephone. Items discussed were the current humanitarian situation, coordination arrangements, the response, coordination arrangements and the transition from relief to early recovery.

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
(GVA) Ms. Paola Emerson, direct Tel. +41-22-9171613
(N.Y.) Mr. Wojtek Wilk, direct Tel. + 1-917 3679748

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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