AAI deployed to Philippines in response to Typhoon Durian
AAI deployed its DART to Bicol, Luzon in the Philippines to assist with the devastation caused by Typhoon Durian. Led by Frank Tyler the team contained doctors, nurses, paramedics and public health workers to provide direct care.
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POST OPERATION REPORT (POR)
Background:
The Philippines has been severely affected by a series of typhoons over the past three months. The most recent destructive, Typhoon Durian, hit the western coast on 30 November 2006 . These typhoons caused extensive damage over a widespread area in 24 provinces, of which five have been affected by more than one typhoon. According to the latest information (Dec 06), over 2,700 people were killed or are missing. Tens of thousands are left homeless. Many are sheltered in evacuation centres established in government buildings, schools and churches. Others were accommodated by families and friends. The total number of households affected is estimated at 649,829 i.e., over 3 m people (source: National Disaster Coordination Council - NDCC, 14 December 2006 ).
2.0 Statement of Needs/Issues :
Philippines authorities and health officials although not issuing a direct request welcomed international assistance through the media; they particularly expressed the need for medical staff and medical supplies due to the number of health facilities damaged by the Typhoon and the number of Evacuation Centres/Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps that had subsequently surfaced.
AAI was invited to assist in the Philippines disaster by Knights Bridge International (KBI) and associated organisations such as; the Republic of Philippines Coast Guard Axillary (RPCGA), and the Republic of Philippines United Nations White Helmets (RPUN). Information provided to AAI by its local partners during the planning and insertion phase of the mission revealed that Hospitals and clinics in the Bicol Region had been overwhelmed and were unable to cope with the increased influx of casualties from the disaster. In addition, it had been reported that casualties in remote areas had not been able to access central hospitals and/or their local clinics as these had been damaged or overburdened by the disaster.
Some of the Island 's most affected communities required immediate assistance with the treatment of complex medical cases and with the transport of serious medical cases to major hospitals. Furthermore, the deplorable living and health conditions the Typhoon had left residents living in were great cause of concern for potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
3.0 Major Organisations Contributing to AAI's Mission in the Philippines :
- Knightsbridge International (KBI)
Director, Capt Ed Artis, Philippines Programme Coordinator, LTSG Arnold Bucayong - Republic of Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary (RPCGA)
Task Force Commander, Capt Jerry Simon, and staff assistant CDR Bernard Villasor - Republic of Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, UN White Helmets (RPUN)
Capt Gary Domingo - Direct Relief International (DRI)
Brett Williams - Operation USA (OpUSA)
Richard Walden, Naomi Wyles, and Goran Bilic
4.0 Project objectives:
Goal : To contribute towards the emergency medical response for Typhoon survivors in Bicol Provinces , Philippines .
Purpose: To provide emergency medical personnel, initial medical supplies and equipment, and assist with the health coordination for the treatment casualties in affected communities in the Bicol Province .
5.0 Project Description:
AAI began its programme planning to respond to the Philippine Typhoon disaster in the days immediately after the tragedy took place and as delayed international reports of a humanitarian disaster started surfacing out of the media. On 6 December 2006 , AAI CEO, Marc Preston confirmed that it would respond to the growing crisis in the Philippines and immediately began the deployment process to the disaster area of key personnel. It was apparent that flights entering the Philippines were difficult to book from around the globe and this delayed AAI's deployment for several days.
On 10 December 2006 , four days after AAI made its decision to respond to the Typhoon disaster, the AAI Disaster Response and Assessment Team (DART) comprising of 6 members rendezvoused in Manila . The team comprised 2 doctors and a nurse/paramedic from Australia , and 2 doctors and a nurse from the United States .
The purpose of the operation was both assess the situation and to provide a medical response. All medical supplies and equipment used by AAI in the response were carried by the individual team members from Melbourne , Thailand , Indonesia , Los Angeles and San Francisco . AAI had emergency response medical supplies and deployment equipment pre-positioned in Australia and Indonesia and received other vital medical supplies from partner organisations DRI and OpUSA in the USA .
A second Typhoon was hitting the Philippines when the AAI DART first gathered in Manilla. While waiting for transport to the affected area the AAI DART spent their time in Manilla gathering vital intelligence and preparing equipment and medical supplies brought in from around the world at their Forward Mounting Base.
Initial in-country contacts were established through AAI's International Medical Director, Dr Larry Stock, who was in direct contact with KBI which subsequently lead to contacts with RPCGA and RPUN White Helmets. These connections were invaluable to AAI and the level of professionalism, support and assistance in deploying the AAI DART were the key factors in making the AAI assistance mission a success.
Philippine Country Representatives were established through KBI, RPCGA, and RPUN White Helmets. Once the AAI team had gathered in Manilla and Country Representatives were contacted, a coordination meeting was held in Manilla at the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, Office of the United Nations and International Organisations Affairs, White Helmets Section.
In this meeting, insertion plans into the devastated area were discussed as well as the arranging of appropriate meetings and initial contacts with the Department of Health (DoH). Country Representatives coordinated flights for the AAI DART from Manila to Legaspi City , the centre of the devastation in Bicol Region, and AAI's initial on ground contacts with the main regional hospital, DoH Emergency Management Unit, and Republic of Philippines , Department of Transport and Communications.
Country Representatives were invaluable in assisting the AAI DART with all aspects of the mission. This included arrangement of local flights within Manilla and securing free excess baggage for all medical supplies going to the Bicol Region. Present in the coordination meeting were RPCGA Task Force Commander, Capt Jerry Simon, CDR Bernard Villasor, RPUN White Helmet Director, Capt Gary Domingo, KBI Project Coordinator, LTSG Arnold Bucayong, AAI Emergency Director Frank Tyler and Health Coordinator, Sasha Poll.
AAI Dart, RPCGA Task Force Command, and Albay District official enjoy a final meal before being inserted into the AO the following morning
In Albay, AAI were met at the airport by the Chief of the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) and escorted for an assessment of the hospital facility and to meetings with the Department of Health (DoH) for briefings and coordination of activities.
As part of AAI's disaster assessment procedures, linking up with local health officials to provide a coordinated effort is a priority. On arrival into Albay the AAI DART meet with the Director the BRTTH Dr Butch Rivera and undertook an assessment of the regional hospital. AAI also had important briefings with the DoH, Emergency Management Unit who were coordinating the medical response on the ground.
Entire Villages (Barangays) had been destroyed by the Typhoon, which reported sustained winds of 280 km/hour and gusts up to 350 km/hour. Subsequent mudslides from the active volcano, Mt Mayon, caused even greater devastation in areas closer to the rivers and water courses which overflowed banks carrying water and mud kilometres into the city. Many densely populated Barangays were completely buried within the space of one hour and most of the Barnagays and towns were substantially flooded.
Day one of the DART insertion, Director Frank Tyler carries out a rapid needs assessment of the worse affected areas of the Typhoon and subsequent mudslides. Many of the homes along water ways were completely buried in the mud. Residents had little warning and were engulfed in less than 1 hr. Hiding behind the clouds the active Mt Mayon lurks ominously in the distance.
Once AAI reached the affected area they began a rapid assessment as well as establishing a number of locations to operate mobile medical clinics. Over the next few days the team ran medical clinics at Evacuation Centres, set up mostly in local elementary schools that had survived the devastation. The DoH were initially overwhelmed with the coordination of medical assistance teams and AAI were sent to run clinics that had been recently serviced by other medical teams mostly who had not been coordinating with the DoH. Once non-serviced areas were re-established by the DoH, AAI were then able to set up a number of half-day clinics. The first at the Gogon Elementary school Evacuation Centre. The majority of patients suffered from coughs, gastritis, diarrhoea, asthma and wounds; abscesses were also drained. The total patients seen in the first clinic were 143.
AAI set up other half day clinics at San Roque Elementary school. Many patients presented with similar cases as the first clinic and AAI started to get a more accurate picture of health needs in the region. Follow-up clinic was also conducted. The total patients seen were 162.
During the afternoon of day 2, AAI travelled to areas outside the main Legazpi region and into the area of Guinobatan. AAI had received reports from the DoH that there had been no follow-up medical care since the typhoon. On arrival at the Guinobatan East Central Elementary School Evacuation Centre, AAI found the local health workers providing adequate care. They had established effective water and sanitation procedures- their statistics showed decreasing incidences of ARI and diarrhoea. They had a referral system to a nearby local doctor, only a few kilometres away, and a hospital within 9 kilometres.
AAI also found that a Spanish medical/Surgical team had set up a complete field hospital in the central town plaza and had attended to all major and minor medical cases in the area. They were subsequently treating routine primary health cases. The Spanish team had in fact decided that their field hospital was no longer required and were leaving the country the following day. They had not been coordinating with the DoH and they had not made plans to transition health care back to the local system or had discussed any strategies to capacity building their programmes to assist the local health care system. As part of the coordinating team, AAI reported this vacuum in the provision of health care to the DoH in a subsequent health cluster coordination meeting in an attempt to assist in filling the gap in health care provision in the region.
The AAI DART with Philippine DoH planning operations in Albay. The DoH provided AAI with a vehicle to conduct immediate mobile medical clinics.
Dr Ola Niewiadomski and Dr Dennis Stempler treating patients in the first AAI mobile medical clinic at an Evacuation Centre.
Dr Tim Bryan, Dr Dennis Stempler and Emergency Director Frank Tyler triaging and organising patients at one of the mobile medical clinics in an evacuation centre. At these clinics hundreds of patients would present for health care. The skilled team organised registration of patients, ensured the most critical were seen first and attended to the needs of all others wishing to access health care from the international team.
Dr Matt Richard, Dr Dennis Stempler and Nurse Sasha Poll treating patients at an evacuation centre with the assistance of local health care workers who were vital in helping with translations and registration of patients. The local health workers were motivated and well organised. They needed assistance with medical supplies and referral of patients that were beyond their capabilities.
Dr Matt Richard and Dr Tim Bryan treating children, who made up the majority (70%) of patient consultations in all AAI medical clinics.
The following day the RPCGA arranged for the AAI Emergency Director, Frank Tyler, to go on an aerial reconisence flight to isolated outlying islands reported by the DoH to have received no medical care. After a successful aerial surveillance of the Island chain and identification of possible target villages the RPCGA then arranged sea transport for the following day for the AAI medical team to the outlying islands.
AAI had the fortune to undertake aerial surveys over the isolated Bicol Island chain with an RPCGA volunteer plane. This proved invaluable for AAI to undertake medical clinics on the remote Islands . AAI were the first medical team to reach these remote areas.
The journey to the first target landing site was a 2 ½ hour ride on a bamboo pontoon boat powered by an inboard car motor. AAI arrived at Barangay Batan on the island of Batan along with 2 members of the RPCGA as escorts. AAI's initial assignment was to conduct an assessment of the area. The Barangay had significant damage from the typhoon with over 90% of the buildings damaged and/or destroyed. The population had survived well with no significant injuries. Their clinic had been totally destroyed, but their midwife and health worker were functioning however without significant supplies. Serious cases had already been evacuated by locals once the weather had cleared. AAI ran a clinic treating 104 patients.
The following day AAI attended the first Health Cluster Coordination meeting held by the DoH and the WHO. The government and other participating organisations discussed assessments and planning for the forthcoming period. AAI recommended, based on collective assessments that the emergency health situation was under control and a move should be made to increase the capacity of the local health care network to avoid IDPs and health workers having to rely on outside organisations for their routine health care needs. There was no longer a medical emergency and resources were best used to capacity building and provide adequate water and sanitation in the region.
A number of NGOs, AAI included, felt that emergency specialist skills for the disaster medical response were no longer required and that the Philippines DoH could now respond effectively to the health needs of the region however still requiring support with medical supplies and capacity building initiatives.
6.0 Project Conclusion
Due to funding from international donors not being available until the New Year, AAI made the decision to conclude their own medical operations in the Philippines . AAI undertook to re-assess and source funding to continue helath capacity building, water and sanitation, and shelter programmes for the IDPs in the New Year. After ten days on the ground the AAI DART Departed the Philippines on 20 December 2006 .
AAI remain members of the Philippines ' UN's shelter, water and sanitation and health clusters as part of ongoing assessments for future programmes.
AAI would like to thank all key organisations and personnel who contributed in assisting with the AAI emergency response. Without the drive, dedication and professionalism of all personnel involved, AAI would not have been able to provide such a rapid response and enter into the Philippines so well prepared. This has been a combined team effort from all involved and your contribution to assisting the Typhoon affected people of the Philippines has been an outstanding humanitarian achievement.
Report prepared by:
Frank Tyler
Director of Operations Australian Aid International
28 December 2006
SITUATION REPORTS
15 December 2006
PROGRAM UPDATES BRIEFINGS AND OP PLANNING
Day 1: After initial briefings and planning with local health officials AAI Medical team set up their first clinic in one of the many evacuation centers. Working from a room in a school complex also housing 2,200 internally displaced people, 40 patients were treated. Primarily treatments were for minor injuries and illness. All sever cases had previously been referred through to the regional hospital.
Admin included reorg of med stores, locating a safe house and organizing a vehicle.
The DoH have been generous in providing a vehicle and driver for the first day. Also each evacuation centre has local municipal health workers and midwives assigned to run basic health services. The level of local health care is similar to other developing countries with low level of services provided due to a lack of funding supporting the health system.
Day 2: AAI ran health clinics in 2 evacuation centers seeing approx 200 patients. AAI were directed by the DoH to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for a medical resup. The PHO have only a minor amount of meds and have stated that med supplies are allocated by municipal health departments. The Municipal Health Departments have stated that they do not have med supplies to distribute to NGOs.
AAI have been operating in the Legaspi area which is an urban and semi urban area. Apart from the worst affected towns around Legaspi where AAI have been working and living in the city centre is reasonable modern with functioning supermarkets, and other facilities. Most the bigger business have been able to commence operating by the use of generators and shipping in of water.
Access to the AO is responsibly good and most roads that have been cut off by the mudslides have now been cleared.
Initial assessments both at the regional hospital and IDP camps do not reveal an ongoing emergency situation and there has been no evidence of epidemic outbreaks. AAI have been working in close coordination with the DoH Emergency Health Unit, who are tasked to coordinate the medical response. It appears they have a well coordinated disaster response plan. There is however, a need for extensive monitoring as the situation exists for diseases of outbreak potential. There are reported increased numbers of diarrhoeal diseases but this is within expectation of the situation. Water and sanitation remain major issues. In most parts water supplies are cut off and remaining sanitation systems are overloaded. In the areas assessed, villages and towns prior to the typhoon were supplied by town water and sewage systems. Water points are being provided where systems have not been reinstalled. However water in these systems is still considered unsafe and the population need to take extra precautions to ensure they have safe drinking water. Rubbish collection commenced today through the normal rubbish collection systems. Rubbish has been put in piles on roads by local residence ready for collection.
The population in general appears to be reasonably healthy. The local health care and government system have responded in a coordinated effort and should be able to respond to the crisis without the need for extensive international assistance, although financial help will continue to be required. The underlying poverty remains to be an issue and will affect recovery, however this will not be substantially different to how the population were living before the earthquake.
There are many local and international NGOs that have been supporting the IDP camps and these appear well supported in teams of NFIs and food.
The assessment of more remote areas out of the town centers and possible some of the many Islands in the affected area will be where AAI will start targeting assessments for possible program development. AAI have not been able to get indications of what the situation is like in these areas however, it would appear there are not any isolated pockets of affected victims.
AAI will attend the second NGO coordination meeting tomorrow morning. While still continuing to support the IDP camps the information for the NGO coordination meeting will assist with AAI planning responses in the immediate future.
12 December 2006
AAI'S DEPLOYMENT AND MOVE INTO ACTION
As the disaster response to Typhoon Diran in the Philippines enters its second week of operations, continued bad weather and difficult access has hampered relief efforts. The final members of the AAI's Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) arrived in the Philippines as a complete unit on December 10th despite continued typhoon threats and unrelenting tropical storms. AAI representatives who have been assisting with the disaster response have maintained a constant flow of accurate information and now have a substantial list of key networks to effectively support AAI operations. AAI have been requested to provide assistance to the Typhoon disaster response from Philippine officials. AAI have been coordinating closely with the GoP Dept of Foreign Affairs - (RPUN) White Helmet Organisation and the (PCGA) to mount a combined disaster response.
Humanitarian relief efforts continue to be hindered as strong winds and rain sweep through the South China Sea grounding all air and amphibian relief efforts.
Reports of the Typhoon were grossly under-estimated both internationally and domestically. The AAI DART team members Frank Tyler and Sasha Poll met with officials from the Department of Health Preparedness and Emergency Management division who reported the urgent need for medical personnel as reports reach Manila of patients being evacuated into schools and churches as all accessible hospitals are at capacity with the seriously injured. A representative then expressed that without medical personnel the injured are brought to the church so she said," at least they can be prayed over."
A later meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs revealed a grim situation. A power point presentation revealed utter devastation in the Bicol Region. Lava flows and land slides have blanketed entire municipalities taking out everything in their path. Roads are beginning to be cleared in efforts to reach areas that remain cut off. Small islands just off the coast of Manila, the first hit in the path of the now labelled "super" typhoon, remain beyond the reach of relief efforts.
The search for survivors was intensified when a woman was pulled from where she has been trapped beneath the mudflow for 9 days. Mass grave sites are being created while bodies already buried from fear of disease spread are exhumed for identification.
The fact remains however that even when the weather subsides the support is staunchly lacking manpower, medical relief and otherwise. Long term issues are already concerning Philippine Government officials. Coconut and rice crop production in the region have been wiped out creating a livelihood catastrophe for years to come.
AAI DART team pack trauma kits for deployment.
The overall focus of AAI's relief effort remains consistent with AAI 's operational mandate-to focus on capacity building and support of the local health care infrastructures at both the primary and, where appropriate, secondary levels. Through primary health, public health, and community health program initiatives, AAI aims to not only match but also to surpass existing access to health care and standards of care found prior to the recent events.
Sasha Poll,
AAI
Medical Coordinator, Philippines TYPHOON DURIAN
4 December 2006
Current Status
Officials say that more than 1,000 people are dead or missing in the wake of Typhoon Durian (local name: Reming), which struck the Philippines last Thursday (November 30) and triggered deadly mudslides on the slopes of Mount Mayon volcano in the worst-hit northeastern region of Bicol, as foreign aid assistance began to arrive. According to the latest report by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) today, at least 450 people have been confirmed dead, while another 636 people are missing. Another 642 people have also been reportedly injured. According to NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza, more than 1.1 million people have been affected, and more than 20,000 are currently in 72 evacuation centers. Damage to property has been estimated at more than 274 million pesos (US$5.3 million), according to the NDCC. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday (December 3) declared a "state of national calamity" and authorized the immediate release of 1 billion pesos (US$20 million) to rehabilitate the affected areas. The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) today (Monday, December 4) issued an urgent appeal of over US$7.3 million for water, food and medicine to assist victims for nine months. Local Red Cross official Benjamin Delfin said that that the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) continued to receive donations from international organizations. "What we need now are medicines, food and items such as blankets, water and plastic sheeting for those who lost their homes," he said. The Philippine military has reportedly been transporting relief goods from Manila , but rescue operations have been reportedly slow in remote areas. Rescuers today said that operations are now shifting from rescue to the recovery of bodies, which is also proving difficult. According to the NDCC, humanitarian aid was expected from Japan , Indonesia , Malaysia and the US , while the UN, and the Canadian and Australian governments were sending cash. Durian was a category 4 typhoon (one less than the maximum of category 5) when it struck the Philippines , and is expected to cross into Vietnam 's central coffee-growing region as a category 1 storm on Monday night (December 4). Durian is expected to make landfall in coastal Khanh Hoa and at least 14,000 people have been evacuated from there, according to officials. (Reuters, Phil Inq, NDCC, IFRC, Dec-04)
Impact
Affected: 1,146,001 persons , or 261,838 families in 1,501 barangays in 100 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-04)
- Evacuees: 20,200 displaced people in 72 designated evacuation centers (NDCC, Dec-04)
- Damaged houses: 69,440 totally and 142,985 partially (NDCC, Dec-04)
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.
Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) reports that casualty and damage figures could still rise significantly when communication lines are restored in some areas. While there has been a heavier loss of lives in Albay province, reports indicate that infrastructure and property damage are heavier in Catanduanes province. (Dec-03, OCHA)
NDCC reports widespread destruction of houses, school buildings and government offices in Catanduanes province. (Dec-03, OCHA)
Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council says that from just six of Camarine Sur's 35 towns, some 24,909 families needed to be housed in evacuation centers.
Marinduque (an island province) Governor says that the DSWD reported that more than 40,000 families were affected. Governor says that more than 80% of the population is affected (OSOCC, Dec 1)
The civil defense office said that more than 13,900 people had been evacuated in the Bicol region. (AFP, Dec 1)
Infrastructure damage:
Infrastructure damage estimated at 23.2 million pesos (US$451,000). (Dec-4, 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)
Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) conducting clearing operations in Oriental Mindoro , Marinduque and Catanduanes. (Dec-04, NDCC)
According to UN's OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), flood waters reportedly reached 10 feet (3 meters) in some areas. Rescue efforts are being hampered by storm damage which knocked out electricity, telephone lines and the water supply across much of Bicol which includes Legaspi City and Daraga. Legaspi airport experienced some damages and was shut down. (AFP, Dec-01)
About 10,000 houses in Bicol and Southern Tagalog were either blown down by the typhoon or were damaged. (INQ7, Dec 1) Civil defense officials say that 90 percent of Bicol homes were destroyed. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) in Camarines Sur reported that 6,256 houses in six towns were destroyed and 15,678 partially damaged. (INQ7, Dec 1)
PDCC says that from just six of Camarine Sur's 35 towns, 6,356 houses totally damaged with another 15,678 partially damaged.
NDCC reports two major transmission lines, Naga-Tayabas line and Gumaca-Labo line, were totally damaged and tripped off 10 sub-transmission lines in the Bicol region. National Transmission Corporation (Transco) reported total power loss in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon Provinces in Region V; No electricity in some parts of Batangas, Laguna and Quezon provinces. (NDCC, Dec 1)
Economic damage:
Public Works Department put initial estimates of damage to infrastructure in Bicol at 1 billion pesos (US$20.1 billion) (AFP, Dec 1)
NDCC says agriculture damage estimated at over 250 million pesos (US$4.9 million). (Dec-04, DNCC)
PNRC head notes that most of the areas hit by Durian have been battered by previous typhoons and that most of the local governments had used up their calamity funds.
Priority Needs and Requirements:
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) priority actions include rapid damage and needs assessments, search and retrieval of dead, and sustaining relief operations. (Dec-03, OCHA)
NDCC Priority Needs:
- Water: Provision of drinking water and water purifying tablets
- Health: Medical teams, social workers and medicines
- Food: Relief goods such as rice, noodles, sardines etc.
- Non-food: Blankets, mattresses
- Emergency: Shelter, tents (Dec-03, OCHA)
NDCC Priority Actions:
- Coordinate international and local relief
- Sustain emergency relief operations
- Develop early recovery plan for areas affected by Durian, Cimarron and Xangsane typhoons. (Dec-04, NDCC)
Government Response:
President Arroyo declared state of national calamity on December 3 (Sunday), and authorized 1 billion pesos (US$20.17 million) for the effects of the three successive Durian (Reming), Cimarron (Paeng) and Xangsane (Milenyo) typhoons. (OCHA, Dec-03)
Search and rescue and relief activities still ongoing. (OCHA, Dec-03)
Estimated cost of assistance by NDCC, DSWD, DOH, Local government units (LGUs), NGOs and other GOs amount to 19,085,133 pesos (US$ 370,945). (NDCC, Dec-04)
NDCC and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) sent 7,500 sacks of rise to affected areas. Facilitated three sorties carrying over 50 tons of relief supplies from government and relief agencies, including CARITAS, medical teams and supplies. Fourth sortie scheduled on Tuesday (December 4) to carry NFIs from DSWD, medical team from National Center for Mental Health and communication team from SMART communications. (Dec-04, NDCC) NDCC has facilitated airlift of 52 tons of food and non-food items to affected areas. (OCHA, Dec-03) NDCC will field a national assessment team on Saturday (December 2). (OCHA, Dec 1)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food and NFIs worth over 6 million pesos (US$116,618). 15 DSWD evacuation centers are still open, sheltering about 3,197 people, while another 76,897 individuals are being served outside centers. Provided assessments and other assistance. (Dec-04, NDCC) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) activated Emergency Management Teams (EMTs) and Quick Action and Response Teams (QUARTs) for technical assistance and resource augmentation.
Department of Health provided 62 boxes of medicines and 5-member medical team to Albay. (Dec-04, NDCC) Department of Health provided compact food, cadaver bags, medicines (OSOCC, Dec 1) The Department of Health (DOH) activated regional operation centers with standby medical teams, ready for mobilization.
Philippine Disaster Coordination Center (PDCC) set up relief coordination center in Calapan for Mindoro provinces. (Dec-04, NDCC)
Philippine Navy Ship delivering relief goods to island province of Mindoro . (OCHA, Dec-03) At least 40 military rescuers were flown out from the capital, to the Mayon area by helicopter. Rescuers plan to bring in search dogs. (AFP, Dec 1) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pre-positioned mobility assets in Catanduanes, including helicopters and light transport vehicles.
Government engineering units clearing secondary and tertiary roads; national agencies conducting inter-agency needs assessments. (OCHA, Dec-03)
Government geologists will assess environmental damage and the possibility of additional mudflows from Mount Mayon . (OCHA, Dec 1)
National Response:
International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)'s sent out its latest appeal of US$ 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)
PNRC deployed three assessment teams to Albay, Catanduanes, Carmines Sur, Quezon and Marinduque. (OCHA, Dec-03) Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has sent two assessment teams to Legazpi City , Daraga and Sto. Domingo towns around Mount Mayon in Albay province. PNRC has also sent 500 cadaver bags to the areas. (ABS-CBN, Dec-02)
International Response:
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)
The Philippine government said that it is willing to accept offers of assistance from foreign governments, aid agencies and the UN. (Dec-03, OCHA)
AUSAid has pledged US$1 million in emergency assistance. (Dec-03, OCHA)
Canada has pledged 1 million Canadian dollars (US$876,528), which was split evenly between the IFRC and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). (Dec-03, OCHA)
CARE provided relief to 1,000 affected families and sent assessment team to Albay. (Dec-04, CARE)
Ireland sent US$397,000 in cash. (Dec-04, Phil Inq)
Japan has decided to provide emergency assistance in kind (tents, blankets, etc.) 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)
Indonesia has sent 2 C-130 planeloads of relief supplies. (Dec-04, NDCC)
Republic of Korea sending US$100,000 cash assistance. (Dec-04, NDCC)
Spain sent three-member medical team with one dog. (Dec-04, NDCC)
Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) sent two representatives to Catanduanes to re-establish communications. (Dec-04, NDCC)
World Vision launched initial appeal for US$1 million. Will provide food and NFIs to 20,000 people within the week. (Dec-03, WVI)
USAID has provided US$250,000 in immediate cash assistance for the Bicol region. Relief flight with US supplies expected later this week. (Dec-04, NDCC)
UNICEF mobilized over US$300,000, and sent relief supplies for 10,000 people for three months. Will send assessment team to Albay province. (Dec-04, UNICEF)
UNOCHA has provided US$1-2 million for local purchase of relief supplies. (Dec-04, NDCC)
UN inter-agency assessment team will be deployed tomorrow in Albay. (Dec-03, OCHA) NDCC has asked the United Nations to provide satellite imagery of areas hit by landslides. (Dec-01, UN)
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.