Updates:
As of 24 October, there is no major humanitarian needs as population continues to return to their home areas and recovering from Typhoon Haima.
The Government is distributing food packs and clearing roads and undertaking Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA).
The survey includes aerial survey in Kalinga and Corner and other hard to reach areas on damages to crops and infrastructure.
The President visited Tuguegarao yesterday and pledged Government's support to restore Agriculture and Infrastructure damages.. . Flooding reported in areas close to Abra and Cagayan rivers have receded and Government aid is slowly reaching villages in those areas. According to OCD report 23 October, Ambuklao and Binga Dams gates were opened to allow excess water. This is a controlled release of water that will not affect population downstream. Access to mountainous areas is still difficult, however, the Military is reported using helicopters to reach villages along the eastern shores of Cagayan (Penablanca amd Baggap) and eastern parts of Isabela provinces (Maconacon) that was initially hit by the typhoon. These areas are inhabited by the Agta indigenous communities. Damages to schools are minimal and health institutions are functional. Some of the water supply systems are damaged and population are using open wells. Aid agencies have started to distribute water purification tablets in Ilocos Norte. Assessment teams; Philppines Red Cross, Philippines INGOs, ACF, Private sector and Office of Civil Defense are ongoing. OCHA Plans to call for inter-cluster meeting on Wednesday this week to consolidate and share the assessment results.
OCHA Field Teams have returned on Sunday to Manila. They are compiling field report which will be shared with OCD.
Situation overview
The typhoon Haima (locally known as Lawin) made landfall in Cagayan in the evening on 19 October 2016. As of 20 October, around 13,428 families or 61,126 persons were affected in 118 barangays in Regions I, II, III, V and CAR. A total of 3, 919 families or 15, 328 persons were displaced and 3,825 families or 14, 895 persons are currently taking shelter in 136 evacuation centers. (Gov't of the Philippines, 20 Oct 2016)
The Category 3 Typhoon Haima was located 950 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte, in Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts of up to 230 km/h according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country's weather bureau. It is moving west northwest at 25 km/h.
Typhoon Haima entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 17 October, just as Typhoon Sarika exited on the same day.
Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 650 km diameter of the typhoon, with the effects to be felt starting 19 October. A total of 266 municipalities in the likely affected Regions I, II, III and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will experience rain that could trigger flash floods and landslides given the wet ground from Typhoon Sarika. Authorities are monitoring Magat Dam in Isabela province and San Roque Dam in Pangasinan province as their reservoirs are near spilling level after accumulating rain from the recent typhoon. There are no reported casualties due to Typhoon Haima in Region II as of this time.
PAGASA expects the typhoon to intensify to Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 4 (with winds of 171-220 km/h expected in 12 hours) before making landfall, and are not ruling out the possibility of TCWS Number 5 (winds of more than 220 km/h).
Disaster preparedness and Government response
As of 24 October, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council has down graded its Alert level from Red to Blue meaning they will not convene daily emergency meeting but Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to follow up with Regional Governments on recovery to normalcy.
The recovery programmes will focus mainly on rehabilitation of infrastructure (roads, bridges, irrigation channels etc), restoration of power in Apayao, Abra and Kalinga provinces, injecting cash for work and emergency shelter programmes. The HC received a letter on 22 October from OCD that the Government can manage the effects of Typhoon Haima and does not require HCT and International support.
Humanitarian response and coordination
The Humanitarian Country Team’s Emergency Response Preparedness Working Group convened on 17 October and are taking stock of its in-country capacities that may be used to support government response if needed. The Philippine International NGO Network which brings together 48 INGOs, met on 18 October and discussed preparedness actions.
The next Flash Update will be issued as soon as more information is available.
For more information, contact:
Muktar Farah, Head of Office a.i., muktar@un.org, Mobile: +63-917-587-8179
Gina Maramag, Public Information Analyst, maramag@un.org, Mobile: +66-917-597-7219
