Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (19 - 25 January 2016)

INDONESIA

Between 19 and 23 Jan, local authorities reported floods in Sumatra (Jambi and South Sumatra provinces), Java (Central Java and East Java provinces), and Sulawesi (South Sulawesi and North Sulawesi provinces). Following torrential rains, landslides killed three people in Kerinci District, Jambi Province on 20 Jan and one person in Manado Regency, North Sulawesi Province on 21 Jan. This flooding inundated at least 4,900 houses. Local authorities have provided emergency assistance.

Four people killed

4,900 houses inundadated

Following an increase to Alert Level III on 13 Jan, Mount Egon in East Nusa Tenggara has erupted several times. Local authorities have prohibited any activities within three kilometers of the crater, displacing 927 people, who are temporarily relocated to three locations in Mapitara Sub-District. A further 501 people are still to be relocated.

927 people displaced

MICRONESIA

Many parts of Micronesia are entering a period of moderate to severe drought as El Niño impacts continue to be felt. Lower than normal rainfall during the coming months will cause drought to develop in the Mariana Islands and parts of Chuuk state. Drought is already affecting Palau and Yap State. A dry trade-wind pattern will also cause increasingly dry conditions across the Marshall Islands. Below normal rainfall is expected across the region until later in the year.

MYANMAR

Armed clashes reportedly broke out between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Reunification Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) in northern Shan State on 17 Jan, and have not ended.

According to the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and local partners, 95 people are displaced and staying in monasteries in Mogoke Town. MRCS, local organizations and community leaders have provided initial assistance. Meanwhile local CSOs, NGOs and the UN provided food, water, warm clothes and shelters to 300 people displaced by similar fighting in Manton Township which occurred on 11 and 12 Jan.

95 people displaced

PHILIPPINES

A lack of rainfall, likely caused by El Niño, strains agriculture and water access in Zamboanga City. The City’s Agriculturist Office reported that, as of 13 Jan, the damage to crops has reached $216,000. Over 500 hectares of land planted with rice, corn, assorted vegetables and bananas has been lost with no chance of recovery. In North Cotabato, authorities declared a state of calamity because of damage to crops amounting to US$5 million.