On 16 December 2021, Typhoon Rai (local name Odette) brought torrential rains, violent winds, landslides, and storm surges in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao, in five provinces of Visayas, and in the island of Palawan in Luzon before it exited the Philippine area of responsibility on 17 December.
Based on the report of the Disaster Response Operation Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) as of 02 March 2022, the estimated total affected population in Southern Leyte and Caraga Region has reached around 513,000 families (approximately 1,947,000 individuals). While most of the IDPs have returned, some 9,800 families (approximately 40,300 individuals) are still displaced and are currently staying either in the evacuation centers or at homes of relatives. Most of them are those whose houses were totally damaged.
UNHCR’s RESPONSE
ASSESSMENT
Within 48 hours after the typhoon made landfall, UNHCR deployed its Emergency Response Team to Caraga Region to provide technical and operation support to the government particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The team is spearheaded by the Head of the Field Office together with two technical staff on protection and information management. Coordination meetings were immediately conducted with the DSWD Caraga Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, and the Office of the Civil Defense in the Emergency Operation Center in Butuan City to gather the latest data and protection situation of the displaced population.
PROVISION OF CORE RELIEF ITEMS
Upon receipt of official request from the government, UNHCR with the help of donors and partners augmented support through the provision of core relief items. Shelter-grade tarpaulins and plastic sheeting, solar lamps, hygiene kits, and mosquito nets have been distributed, helping improve the living conditions of approximately more than 7,800 individuals (1,577 families). These items are intended to serve the severely affected islands in Siargao and Dinagat as well as the coastal municipalities in the mainland of Surigao del Norte province. Coordination with the Philippine Port Authority was conducted to assess transportation modality.
On June 23, 2022, UNHCR transported additional core relief items (CRIs) such as plastic tarps, hygiene kits and mosquito nets in Surigao Del Norte. These will be distributed by ACCORD Inc. to the identified families who are needing CRIs in the island barangays of Surigao and Siargao Island particularly in General Luna Municipality.
PROTECTION COORDINATION
As a co-lead of the Protection Cluster, UNHCR is providing technical support to DSWD on protection coordination and information management. It continues to promote the centrality of protection in the overall humanitarian response.
Thematic Bulletins:
Emergency Situation Reports:
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 1, 19 December 2021
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 2, 24 December 2021
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 3, 1 January 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 4, 9 January 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 5, 22 January 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 6, 8 February 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 7, 28 February 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 8, 31 March 2022
- Emergency Situation Report Issue No. 9, 30 April 2022
UNHCR is accepting Expressions of Interest for the supply and delivery of solar lamps. Interested parties may view the technical specifications required here.