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Philippine Typhoons Durian and Utor Update

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

 

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has reportedly approved a US$2.6-million aid package for areas affected by Typhoon Durian (local name: Reming), which swept through Southern Luzon region on November 30. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza said today (Tuesday, December 12) that the funds will be funneled through organizations including the UN Development Program (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In addition, the Philippine government today sent a 248-vehicle convoy containing relief goods and construction supplies to worst-hit Albay province, where hundreds were killed in massive landslides triggered by Durian on the slopes of Mount Mayon volcano. The caravan was organized by both government and private groups, and includes medical and construction teams. Arroyo today also authorized 10 billion pesos (US$203 million) for the relief and rehabilitation of areas affected by Durian and four other typhoons that have recently affected the country. According to the latest NDCC figures, at least 715 people have been confirmed dead and 764 others missing. Another 2,174 people have been injured. At least 3.1 million people have been affected, while nearly 96,000 people are currently in evacuation centers. Durian’s damage is now estimated to be more than 4.6 billion pesos (US$93 million). National and international aid efforts also continue in the affected area. The Red Cross reports that the worst affected are the poor, those that were dependent on agriculture and those who have lost their homes in the mudslides. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said today that Albay province would be affected by floods in the next heavy rainfall, because several dams and dikes around the volcano have been destroyed. Infrastructure damage in Albay alone is estimated at 1.2 billion pesos (US$24.3 million) and it could take years to rebuild, according to the DPWH. Meanwhile, the death toll from Typhoon Utor (local name: Seniang), which swept through the Central Visayas and Southwestern Luzon regions over the weekend, rose to 16 today as more bodies were recovered. The typhoon passed just south of areas affected by Durian in Southern Luzon, and caused about 345 million pesos (US$7 million) in damage. According to the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Utor is currently over the South China Sea and is forecast to reach Hainan Island in southern China on Friday (December 15). However, it is expected to weaken rapidly due to an intrusion of cool dry air. The NDCC issued its final bulletin on Typhoon Utor today. (NDCC, Phil Inq, ABS-CBN, Dec-12)

 

Impact

 

·       Affected:

 

Durian

3,160,703 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-12)

 

Utor

256,817 persons in 336 barangays in:

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-12)

 

·       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

94,639 persons in 121 evacuation centers (NDCC, Dec-12)

 

·       Damaged houses:

 

Durian

211,032 totally and 308,231 partially (NDCC, Dec-12)

 

Utor

2,130 totally and 5,643 partially (NDCC, Dec-12)

 

·       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 3.17 billion pesos (US$75 million). (Dec-12, NDCC)

 

No power in whole province of Albay; Camarines Norte has 80.98% power; Camarines Sur has 20.72% power; No power in whole of Sorsogon. (Dec-12, 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. Damage in Albay alone estimated at 1.2 billion pesos (US$24.3 million) and could take several years to repair. Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seimsology) and DPWH to carry out survey. DPWH pledged to send additional 58 million pesos (US$1.2 million) to Bicol. (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)

 

In Catanduanes, Albay and Carmines Sur provinces, NDCC reports that damage to medical facilities and power outages seriously hampering emergency medical services. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

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)

 

National Transmission Corp. (Transco) set target of restoring all power lines in Bicol by December 25 by setting up a temporary Emergency Restoration Systems. Estimated cost is 1 billion pesos (US$20,000). (Phil Inq, Dec-07)

 

Department of Education (DOE) says 2,321 schools have been completely or partially destroyed with repair estimated at 1.13 billion pesos (US$22.7 million). 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)

 

Utor

 

Quezon province has 96.67% power; Calapan City has 60% power; Panay has 90% power; 8% power in Samar; and 97% power in Leyte. (NDCC, Dec-12) TransCo reported that 24 transmission towers destroyed in Leyte and Samar. (Phil Inq, Dec-12)

 

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 1.386 billion pesos (US$28 million). (Dec-11, 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)

 

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

 

Utor

286 million pesos (US$5.8 million) for agriculture and 59 million pesos (US$1.2 million) for infrastructure. (Dec-12, NDCC)

 

Priority Needs and Requirements (for Durian-affected areas)

 

NDCC Priority Needs:

1.)   Emergency shelter – Individual household tents

2.)   Health – Disease surveillance, medicines and vaccines, power generation for hospitals in priority location

3.)   Food – Rice, noodles, canned goods, mongo beans, dried fish, infant food

4.)   NFIs - Sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, adult and children’s slippers, kitchen utensils, transistor radios with batteries, candles, flashlight with batteries, jerry cans (20-liter capacity), cooking stoves, adult and children underwear, and hygiene kits (bath and laundry soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, face and bath towels, etc.)

5.)   Water - Water tanks for water storage and daily use. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Priority Actions:

1.)   Sustaining relief operations,

2.)   Disease surveillance,

3.)   Harmonization of damage and needs assessment activities

4.)   Completion of search and retrieval of the dead.

 

Intermittent rains being experienced in the affected areas pose additional challenge to humanitarian workers and victims alike as these could give rise to common ailments like cough, colds, respiratory and skin infections. (Dec-10, 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 will allocated 10 billion pesos (US$203 million) for relief and rehabilitation of areas affected by Durian and three other recent typhoons. (Dec-12, GOP)

 

Estimated cost of assistance by NDCC, DSWD, DOH, Local government units (LGUs), NGOs and other GOs amount to 64.13 million pesos (US$1.3 million). (NDCC, Dec-12)

 

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. Caravan expected to arrive in Pili, Camarines Sur and Legazpi City, Albay by December 13. (GOP, Dec-12)

 

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

 

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

 

NDCC and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) facilitated total of 11 sorties carrying relief goods (food, medicine, shelter items etc), manpower and equipment to Virac, Catanduanes and Legaspi City, Albay. Facilitated release of 21,800 sacks of rise worth 18.53 million pesos (US$376,000) for Region V. (NDCC, Dec-12) NDCC deployed one water purification systems to Camarines Sur province capable of generating 32,000 liters of drinking water daily; two units capable of 120,000 liters daily to Albay. (OCHA, Dec-10)

 

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) Distributed total of 1,514 tents donated by China, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Singapore for same number of displaced families. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

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 2.7 million pesos (US$55,000). Conducting measles and polio vaccinations for children. Working to identify possible water supply sources. (NDCC, Dec-12) Working with WHO on more specialized assessment of urgent health needs building on earlier rapid needs assessment conducted by NDCC and UN Country Team. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

Department of Agriculture has planned 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 800 sacks of rise to Oriental Mindoro and Cebu. Estimated total government assistance is 1,510,000 pesos (US$30,000). (NDCC, Dec-12)

 

PNP, DPWH and LGUs clearing debris on highways/roads in Region VIII (Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte – Eastern Visayas) (NDCC, Dec-11)

 

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)

 

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)

 

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)

 

Makati city government sent 5 million pesos (US$100,000) in aid to Bicol. (Phil Inq, Dec-12)

 

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)

 

Bilateral contributions from Indonesia, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel and United States have amounted to US$ 3,010,740. (Dec-10, OCHA)

 

United Nations

 

UNOCHA has approved US$2.6 million aid package to be funneled through UN agencies including UNDP, WHO and UNICEF. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and relief supplies for affected residents in Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol. (Dec-12, ABS-CBN) CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund) is intended for local purchase to further support local economy.

 

CERF Assistance is broken downs as follows:

 

Health (WHO): US$ 411,000

Nutrition, Water/Sanitation and Hygiene (UNICEF): US$ 450,000

Food Aid and Logistics Support (WFP): US$500,000

Emergency Shelter, WFIs and Logistics (UNDP/IOM): US$600,000

Emergency Family Care and Support Packages (UNICEF): US$350,000

Emergency Maternal Care (UNFPA): US$243,255

Agriculture (FAO): US$100,000

(Dec-12, NDCC)

 

UNICEF led UN inter-agency assessment team to Albay on 5 December and provided 4,000 family packs (Dec-5, OCHA) 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)

 

World Health Organization (WHO) giving priority to distributing potable water, as well as water purification tablets. 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) WHO is sending four New Emergency Health Kits – each sufficient to support 10,000 people for three months. (Dec-10, WHO)

 

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) 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)

 

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)

 

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

 

DHL Express Asia Pacific 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) Existing FACT/RDRT team will be expanded with arrival of telecoms (ERU) and members from South Asia RDRT. IFRC objectives currently 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)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Oxfam is sent out public health experts to assist staff on the ground. Provided clean water and emergency items to 30,000 people in Albay. (Dec-5, Oxfam) Oxfam Great Britain to give US$585,805 for relief operations. Provided 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 mobilizing 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)

 

World Vision sent staff were to Albay to establish Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) until the end of December. (Dec-5, WVI) WVI launched initial appeal for US$1 million. (Dec-03, WVI) WV also preparing a two-year US$6 million rehabilitation proposal to respond to affected families’ long-term needs. (Dec-8, WVI) 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)

 

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

 

France providing 100,000 euros to Philippine Red Cross. (Dec-6, GOF)

 

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)

 

Singapore: Sent relief supplies worth some US$50,000 (Dec-8, NDCC)

 

Spain providing US$250,000 worth of relief goods in one plane load. (Dec-6, NDCC)

 

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 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). (Dec-7, INQ7)

 

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

 

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)