Philippines Typhoon Megi Situation Report No. 2 19 October 2010 This report was issued by OCHA New York based on inputs from OCHA Philippines. It covers the period of 18-19 October 2010. The next report will be issued on 21 October 2010. For a full NDRRMC report on the Government response, please visit www.ndcc.gov.ph I. HIGHLIGHTS Typhoon Megi (locally named Juan) made landfall as a category 5 typhoon in the Sierra Madre mountain range, Isabella Province, northern Luzon Island, on 18 October. According to PAGASA, Typhoon Megi has weakened and is currently over the South China Sea heading North-West. Communication with affected areas continues to challenge data compilation and response planning. Initial data for the humanitarian impact of Typhoon Megi shows 10,434 people affected by strong winds and rain in four Regions of northern Luzon, according to the NDRMCC. A Government damage assessment helicopter mission on 19 October was cancelled due to bad weather. Government and Red Cross assessment teams plan to deploy on 20 October, pending weather conditions. II. Situation Overview Typhoon Megi (locally named Juan) made landfall as a category 5 typhoon in the mountain range of Sierra Madre, Isabella Province, Cagayan Region (Region II) at 11:25 a.m. Manila time on 18 October 2010. Typhoon Megi weakened after landfall in the Sierra Madre mountain range and made a West South-West path across northern Luzon Island at 19 km per hour, with wind strengths reaching 225 km per hour near the centre and wind gusts up to 260 km per hour. Gale force winds and heavy rainfall was experienced throughout locos (Region I), Cagayan Valley (Region II), Central Luzon (Region III), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Cagayan Valley was severely affected by the typhoon, with communication channels cut and access prevented due to stormy weather and roads blocked by small landslides. Communication is difficult in the mountainous and isolated areas. Initial reports of localised mudslides and landslides in the mountain terrain were received by the NDRRMC. Field personnel continue to report communication difficulties owing to power outages in heavily affected areas. The reported number of storm-affected people from northern Luzon Island continues to rise, as communications and access to storm affected populations are received by the NDRRMC through the local government departments. According to the latest NDRRMC Update (No.7), as of 12:00 p.m. on 19 October 2,268 households (10,434 people) in 86 Barangays, including 52 Evacuation Centres, have been affected by Typhoon Megi. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) systematic disaster preparedness procedures at the national, regional and local levels were pivotal in reducing the humanitarian impact of the severe widespread storms that hit northern Luzon on 18-19 October due to Typhoon Megi. The Government led a pre-emptive evacuation of 3,066 people from the path of Typhoon Megi from Cagayan and Isabela Provinces in Cagayan Region from 16 October. The people were evacuated to host families and evacuation centres. The GRP monitored and disseminated information and put provinces in the forecast path of the typhoon on alert for preparedness measures from 14 October. The various GRP departments and emergency service providers ensured trained response teams and stockpiles of relief materials, including medicine and food stuffs, were on standby and pre-positioned throughout the forecast typhoon affected areas. and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
According to PAGASA, as of 16:00 hours on 19 October the centre of Typhoon Megi was located 230 km West North-West of Dagupan City, with maximum sustained winds of 175 km per hour near the centre and gusts of up to 210 km per hour. The typhoon is forecast to move North-West at 7 km per hour. The fact that the typhoon has slowed down so much over the South China Sea is of concern, as this could lead to increased rainfall in the areas still in the tail of the typhoon or cause the typhoon to change direction. Typhoon Megi Satellite Image ( Juan ) Graphic: Image taken at 18:00 p.m. (Manila time), 18-Oct-10: PAGASA III. Humanitarian Response Needs Assessments and Priorities The lack of information coming in from the typhoon-affected areas, due largely to lack of telecommunications, is seriously challenging any response planning. The turbulent weather continues to hinder assessment teams from accessing the typhoon affected areas, including in Isabela Province municipalities of Moconacan, Palangan and Dinapique Point. The Philippines Red Cross (PRC) reported that these areas were cut off due to small landslides and fallen tress blocking the access roads. WFP field monitors in Isabela observed total devastation in many rice paddies and reported that in Cagayan the scale of devastation to houses, schools and other public buildings was alarming (with communities on the ground are saying that Typhoon Juan was the "worst in memory"). The NDRRMC plans to conduct an aerial assessment of the Typhoon Megi affected areas on 20 October, pending weather conditions. This assessment will enable the GRP to assess transportation access, estimated damage and water inundation of coastal towns that may be affected by storm surges. The Philippines Red Cross (PRC) plans to send three joint assessment teams of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Spanish Red Cross (SPC) from Manila by road on 20 October, pending weather conditions, to support the PRC chapters in conducting assessments in Pangasinan/La Union, Cagayan and Isabela provinces. The PRC chapter assessment teams have prioritised the assessment areas. Agriculture The Department of Agriculture (DA), as Cluster Lead, is conducting the damage assessment in the agriculture sector, covering the affected areas of Typhoon Juan, through its regional, provincial and municipal network, in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Autonomous Region, and Ilocos Region, all in northern Luzon. The expected availability of initial damage report is on 20 October 2010. 2
As part of its emergency response, and based on results of damage assessments, DA determines input requirements including farm, fishing implements and fishing paraphernalia for distribution to priority affected areas in order to immediately restore the livelihoods particularly of subsistence farmers and fishers. FAO is ready to assist to conduct needs assessment jointly with DA and other government counterparts. If warranted, FAO will raise projects for provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs, as part of recovery process to affected areas. Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and NFI Need: Available reports from the Government (NDRRMC Update) indicated that 1,735 families (or 8,528 individuals) are staying in Evacuation Centers spread across five regions in Luzon. The displaced families are sheltered in 52 Evacuation Centers, with Cagayan Valley registering the highest number (18) of Evacuation Centers. Response: IOM assessment teams (6 people) are on stand-by to support identification of humanitarian needs and gaps in the Evacuation Centers. PRC/IFRC will send three joint assessment teams in Pangasinan/La Union, Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, together with tarpaulins and food rations. CFSI have teams on standby for assessment and provision of immediate psychosocial counselling. Gaps: The number of displaced persons needs to be confirmed in order to determine actual needs and gaps. At this stage, it is particularly important to ascertain information on the Evacuation Centers, including assistance provided and gaps. Child Protection The Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) met on 19 October to map agency presence in the affected areas and review child protection protocols and tools. The results of individual assessments by NGOs and DSWD and other relevant information will be consolidated by 22 October to provide an overview of the child protection situation in the typhoon affected areas. A follow up CPWG meeting will be held on 26 October to analyse the data. Formal Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) teams at CWC, with six social workers are on stand-by to lead the registration and case work for separated and unaccompanied children. Rapid registration teams of more than 600 volunteers for unaccompanied and separated children are also on standby for deployment. Over 1,000 Psychosocial Support volunteers to establish child friendly spaces are on stand-by for deployment. Three hundred Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) Kits are available. IEC materials are available on child abuse, psychosocial support and avoiding separation. Education The Department of Education (DepEd) Rapid Assessment Report, from 12:00 p.m. on 19 October, indicated that a total of 18 schools were heavily affected with an estimated total damage of P3,020,000 (US$69,000). Thirteen of these schools are in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while the remaining five are in Region III. Thirteen are elementary schools while the remaining five are high schools. Classes in 12,159 schools with an aggregate of 6,759,442 school children were temporarily suspended, at least for a day, in seven regions, namely: CAR, I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B and NCR. Eight schools in Regions CAR, Region II, and National Capital Region (NCR) are used as Evacuation Centers with a total 910 people accommodated. DepED activated its Emergency Operations Center at Central Office to conduct monitoring and reporting 24 hours a day. The DepED Secretary Luistro alerted the Bureaus of Elementary and Secondary Education to prepare to adopt the alternative delivery mode of education for the displaced school children. He also advised school heads to identify Child Friendly Spaces in Evacuation Centers and to conduct psycho-social interventions. World Vision sent two rapid assessment teams from their Manila office to Cagayan and Isabela. Each team has a team leader, a communications officer and a logistician. Should the need arise, assessments will expand outside these two provinces after completion of the assessments in these areas. UNICEF prepositioned 28,104 sets of elementary and high school child packs, 421 teacher packs, 56 sets of Early Child Care Development (ECCD) recreation supplies, and 100 book library sets. Other members of the Education Cluster are mobilized and encouraged to preposition relevant resources. Food On 19 October WFP field monitors were able to conduct limited assessments in two of the most affected provinces of Isabella and Cagayan, but they could only visit low-land areas due to poor road conditions. In Cagayan, communities on the ground are saying that Typhoon Juan is the "worst in memory" and that the scale of devastation to houses, schools and other public buildings is alarming. In Isabella, the WFP field monitor observed total devastation in many rice paddies which points to a longer-term food insecurity 3
concern. According to their initial reports, food will be among key immediate priorities, in addition to shelter and water. As communication remains one of the key challenges for field monitors, WFP is dispatching 2 satellite phones and 3 GPS devices on 20 October. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a key WFP national counterpart, has prepositioned family food packs sufficient for over 90,000 people in affected areas (Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5 and national capital region). WFP is closely liaising with DSWD regarding 17 MT of high energy biscuits that are pre-positioned for immediate use. This amount will be able to cover 57,000 children under five years of age for three days. Additional high energy biscuits and rice can be quickly mobilized, if required. WFP further estimates that some 2,000 tons of WFP rice (from the Ketsana/Parma response) intended for early recovery/food-for-work projects remains to be distributed in Typhoon Juan affected areas, and a significant part may be potentially re-allocated for relief needs in response to this typhoon. Health The Health Cluster initiated preparedness measures prior to Typhoon Megi and is in the process of updating its 3W database, which will be available on the Philippines web portal http://ph.one.un.org/response/. The Department of Health (DOH) prepositioned medicines, drugs and medical supplies at the provincial level, by the CHDs. There are also medical teams on standby. The DOH and WHO are preparing for a possible emergency roll out of the Survey for Post Extreme Emergency in a Disaster (SPEED) to affected areas. Nutrition The Department Circular on the National Policy on donations of breast-milk substitutes was re-disseminated to typhoon affected regions. Trainings on Nutrition in Emergencies were conducted for all Regional Nutritionist/Dieticians and Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators on 23-37 September. Regional Nutrition Clusters will be formed by the Regional Nutrition Committees. Documents for possible distribution have been prepared, including: the Statement on emergency response from the Nutrition Cluster; Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies; Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines on the Acceptance and Processing of Foreign and Local Donations during Emergencies and Disaster Situations. Contributions from partners will be available on the Philippines web portal http://ph.one.un.org/response/ from 20 October. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene The WASH Cluster met at UNICEF Office at 11:00 a.m. on 19 October. Participants included UNICEF, IFCR, Spanish Red Cross, Save Children, Handicap International, Islamic Relief of France, ACF, and OXFAM. The group agreed to monitor the Typhoon Megi situation and wait for OCHA guidance when the government requests for support. The Cluster members submitted a list of supplies and capacity in-country, which was shared with OCHA for compilation for the Government. The items available at the organization warehouse in Manila include water treatment units, bladders, jerry cans, water kits, hygiene kits, water purification tablets and solutions, and Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials ready for distribution. Up-coming Coordination Meetings: PINGON Meeting: 20 October, 10:00 a.m. at the OXFAM Office, Manila. Child Protection Working Group meeting: 26 October, at UNICEF, Manila. IV. Funding International assistance was not requested. All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform the Financial Tracking Service of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: fts@reliefweb.int 4
V. Contact OCHA Philippines Ms. Cate Steins, Head of Office steainsc@un.org Office: +63 2 901 0265 - Cell: +63 917 513 9924 OCHA New York Mr. Alf Ivar Blikberg, Humanitarian Affairs Officer blikberg@un.org Office: +1 917 367 0215 - Cell: +1 917 388 5543 OCHA Geneva Mr. Anvar Munavvarov, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, munavvarov@un.org Office: +41 22 917 1489 - Cell: + +41 79 441 29 93 5
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