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Philippines: Leyte Landslide Update

 

February 18, 2006

 

 

New information has been highlighted in red

 

Situation Overview

 

A landslide struck the village of Guinsaugon (estimated population 1,400), near the town of St. Bernard in South Leyte province, in the eastern Visayas region. The landslide struck approximately 10:00 am local time (02:00 GMT). A second landslide occurred later that day at about 10:00pm (22:00 GMT), resulting in the evacuation of 11 households as a preventative measure. There are no official numbers for the death toll yet, but an estimated 1,500 people are believed to have been buried in Guinsaugon village. (Feb-18, OCHA) The NDCC reports that up to 3,000 residents were affected in Guinsagon and two neighboring barangays (village districts). Nineteen unidentified bodies have been recovered. Philippine officials have said that those buried are not likely to survive. A total of seven evacuation centers have been established in the area, housing a total of 80 survivors. (Feb-18, NDCC)

 

The Philippine Geosciences Bureau estimates the landslide is 4 meters deep and covers an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. The NDCC reports that the landslide was up to 30 feet (9 meters) in some places. The landslide was induced by heavy rainfall, as Southern Leyte had received rainfall about four times more than normal this month. The landslides have blocked the tributaries of a major river, which could cause flooding in nearby areas. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Rescue teams from the Philippine Air Force and the Army have been undertaking search and rescue (SAR) efforts since Friday (February 17). The Philippine government has not formally requested any international assistance, but welcomes international assistance. (Feb-18, OCHA) The US military has sent two ships to the area, while Malaysia and Singapore rescue craft as well. The UN has sent a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC), and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed 70 personnel to the area with rescue and relief materials.

 

Currently, the affected site is only accessible via air. Rescue efforts are hampered by continuous rains and the threat of additional landslides. Unstable ground has impeded the movement of heavy machinery, and rescuers have to dig manually. In addition, the absence of lights has led to the suspension of rescue at night. (Feb-17, NDCC) Agence France-Presse yesterday reported that heavy clouds have also impeded the arrival of helicopters, and more rain is expected in the next 24 to 48 hours. (Feb-18, OCHA) The remote coastal area of Southern Leyte is located about 2.5 hours southeast of the capital of Manila and is heavily forested with coconut trees that have shallow roots, which can be easily dislodged after heavy rains. (Feb-17, AFP) Flood warnings have been issued for the neighboring Caraga Region in northeastern Mindanao as well.

 

Earlier this week, Philippine officials warned of continuing heavy rains until May due to an abnormally wet northeast monsoon in the country’s eastern seaboard, possibly from a nascent “La Nina” weather phenomenon. Although a greater number of storms is not expected during the northeast monsoon, which runs from December to May, heavy rains are expected to occur closer to land in areas unused to high precipitation, causing more damage. Heavy rains along the eastern Visayas and eastern Mindanao region to the south claimed at least 20 lives in the past week. More than 700 people were killed in the eastern coasts of northern Luzon region in late 2004, following unusually heavy rains and a string of storms.

 

 

Main Statistics
Estimated death toll	300, up to 1,500 people buried
Bodies recovered	19
Survivors	80
Population of affected area(s):	Between 1,500 to 2,000 people in St. Bernard municipality, Southern Leyte province Up to 1,860+ in worst affected Guinsaugon village

 

Aid Requests

 

The GOP has not issued a formal appeal for international assistance, but is welcoming any assistance given. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Assessment results of the Philippine Office of Civil Defense (OCD) deployed to the site are expected tomorrow (Sunday, February 19). (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Assistance

 

International:

 

United Nations

 

A 6-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team is being deployed to support the Government, the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team for assessment and coordination, including civil military coordination. Telecoms Sans Frontieres is deploying a team to help support the UNDAC Team. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

UNICEF is providing health kits and essential medicines for 10,000 people.

 

UN OCHA is in the process of deploying a UNDAC team to the Philippines.

 

UN OCHA will release a US$50,000 emergency grant; UNDP has mobilized another US$100,000 for immediate response. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims and pledged assistance. (Feb-18, UNSG)

 

Foreign Governments

 

Australia has pledged A$1 million to be made available to the Philippines Red Cross Society and other relief agencies. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Japanese government has agreed to donate emergency supplies and equipment (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Malaysia has made two C-130 aircraft available (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Singapore has provided search and rescue helicopters (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

Taiwan has pledged US$100,000 for relief efforts. Medical emergency kits for the use of 3,000 people for one and a half months are also being sent. (INQ7, Feb-18)

 

United States: The US has received a request for helicopter support from the Philippine Red Cross, and two ships, the USS Essex and the USS Harper's Ferry, have been sent in response to a government request. The ships are carrying 17 helicopters and some 1,000 Marines. US Charge d’ Affaires Paul Jones said that the ships were expected to reach southern Leyte province at daybreak on Sunday (Feb-19) The two ships are carrying thousands of gallons of water purification equipment, generators and blankets. Jones also said the US has turned over US$100,000 worth of disaster equipment to the Philippine Red Cross. Some thousands of blankets, water jugs and plastic sheeting expected to be handed over on Sunday. (Feb-18, AP) The Pentagon said that troops that were participating in the annual “Balikatan” military exercises in the country were also available to help, as well as troops from military bases around the Pacific region. There are 6,000 US troops participating in the Balikatan exercise.

 

Captain Burrell Parmer, Balikatan public information officer says that the US military joint task force overseeing the Balikatan 2006 exercises is sending a survey team today (Saturday, February 18). The unspecified number team consists of engineers and medical personnel. (INQ7, Feb-18)

The U.S. has authorized the Philippine Red Cross to use approximately $50,000 of emergency relief funds already granted to the Red Cross from an earlier disaster. In addition, the Philippine National Red Cross plans to distribute on the morning of February 18 protective masks for rescue workers, plastic sheeting, and body bags donated by the U.S. Government in response to previous disasters.

 

The U.S. Embassy is also coordinating with USAID's Asia Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to seek additional funds for relief assistance as quickly as possible. C-130 transport planes reportedly carried medicine, rice and clothes from USAID and UNICEF to later be transported by military truck for 6-hour drive to Guinsaugon. (Feb-18, Reuters)

 

IO’s, NGOs

 

Caritas is on the ground to help in the relief effort (Feb-17, Caritas)

 

International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): IFRC has appealed for US$1.52 million dollars to fund aid operations; US$150,000 additional assistance released immediately. Relief plane w/ 1,000 body bags, emergency kits for 1,000 people, rubber boots, ropes, clothing, flashlights and medicine sent

 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) anticipates working with partners in the area, including the Manila, Davao, and Baguio Episcopal areas of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. (Feb-17, UMCOR)

 

Domestic

 

Philippine government

 

-       The National Resource Center (NROC) has been set up by the Department of social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay city. The NROC has been functioning as DSWD Operations Center to facilitate processing of donations and coordinating all efforts of member agencies of the National Committee on Disaster Response and other private efforts. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

-       DSWD has already distributed 600 family food packs with additional 1,500 family food packs and 2,500 clothing packs on standby. Department of Health (DOH) has provided 116 body bags and other burial supplies, in addition to 10-person trauma team. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

-       DSWD has provided earth-moving equipment, such as payloads, backhoes and bulldozers, which have made Saint Bernard town accessible. (Feb-18, OCHA)

 

-       Three helicopters from the 505^th Squadron of Philippine Airforce doing search and rescue (SAR) since Friday (February 17). (Feb-17, NDCC) Two C-130 planes also sent.

 

-       Up to four Navy ships on the way to deliver relief goods and to serve as floating hospitals ( 2 Coast Guard ships and 1 Navy ship). (Feb-17, NDCC)

 

-       43rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army are present in the area conducting rescue/retrieval and relief. Battalion Commander, COL Raul Farnacio, serves as the Incident Commander to ensure coordinated response operations. (Feb-17, NDCC)

 

-       Additional professional rescue teams from the Province of Leyte and Cebu City are also on the way to the site and assist in the rescue/retrieval operations. A team of disaster experts has been dispatched to the affected area to conduct damage and needs assessment and to assist the local teams. (Feb-17, NDCC)

 

-       President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Budget and Management to allocate funds to support the ongoing response efforts and for eventual relief and rehabilitation. (Feb-17, NDCC)

 

Local NGOs

 

-       Philippine National Red Cross Society (PNRC) has deployed 70 personnel, including an assessment team, health teams, two dog teams and personnel to provide psycho-social and communications assistance.

 

-       PNRC has provided 100 family tents, 300 blankets, 5 cartons of water purification tablets and 700 body bags. Additional 26,000 lbs of medical supplies sent as well. IFRC has provided emergency grant of CHF 200,000 to the PRNC for emergency relief.

 

-       Private organizations are extending their support by sending donations such as food items, water and medicines (NDCC)