OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Philippines and Vietnam: Typhoon Xangsane
11 October 2006


This situation report is based on information received from the OCHA 
Regional Disaster Response Advisor based in Kobe and its Regional Office 
for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok.

Situation and Response in the Philippines

1.  Typhoon Xangsane (local name Milenyo), which landed on the 
Philippines on 28 September, devastated the central part of the country, 
including the capital Manila and affected 20 provinces. As of 10 
October, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, 153 
people have been killed, 406 people injured and 75 people are missing. 
Nearly 3,842,000 people have been affected to various degrees (total 
population is about 90 million). The number of damaged houses is 430,182 
of which 103,625 were totally damaged. The loss is estimated at about 
PHP 5.687 billion (approximately USD 113 million).

2.  The government estimates the cost of national and local relief 
assistance at PHP 45,643,724.1 (approximately USD 907,971). Although the 
government has not requested international assistance, USAID contributed 
USD 100,000, AUSAID provided AUD 50, 000 through UNDP and the Red Cross 
and UNDP contributed USD 10,000 for recovery activities.

Situation and Response in Vietnam

3.  The Typhoon hit the central provinces of Vietnam on 1 October, 
causing widespread devastation and disruption. Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang 
and Quang Nam were the provinces that were most heavily hit.

4.  According to the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control 
(CCFSC), 69 people have been confirmed dead, 525 people were reportedly 
injured, and two are missing. 19,736 houses collapsed, 273,744 houses 
were damaged and 878 boats were sunken or damaged.

5.  The water level on rivers in the Central High Land and Central part 
regions is reducing but the alert remains for the Mekong River. It is 
forecasted that the upstream flood of Mekong River may continue to go up 
in some next few days.

6.  The government issued warning messages and mobilised resources for 
evacuation of about 300,000 people prior to and during the disaster. 
Thousands of soldiers, policemen and volunteers have been involved to 
rescuing people as well as helping in repairing houses, restoring 
electricity and water supplies and providing emergency food.

7.  The government has called for domestic and international 
contributions to help those affected. The government has provided 1,500 
tons rice to the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam and 
released VND 150 billion (USD 6.2 million) to help emergency response 
and relief and rehabilitation efforts.

8.  According to the rapid joint assessment teams, which visited the 
above three provinces from 2 to 9 October, urgent prioritised issues are 
as follows:

- Repair of damaged facilities: schools, health centers, water supply 
and sanitation systems) and houses. In-kind support of building 
materials, particularly roofing materials is required.

- Food security: Food for people in the affected areas, including 
preganat and lactating women and children is required. Long-term food 
security is of concern as the main sources of income or livelihood were 
destroyed.

- Containment of disease outbreak: Local potential risk is outbreak of 
diarrhoea due to contaminated water and dengue fever due to lack of 
mosquito nets. Cleaning materials, healthcare items, rehabilitation of 
healthcare system and water supply systems in communites and schools, 
and cleaning of the living environment are required.

- Resuming schooling: Support with learning materials (textbooks, 
notebooks and teaching equipment) for schools and teachers is required.

9.  The International Red Cross and Red Crecent Societies(IFRC) issued 
an emergency appeal on 4 October, seeking CHF1,010,944 (USD 808,755) to 
support the Vietnam Red Cross Society in assisting 61,000 beneficiaries 
for 12 months. The IFRC has allocated CHF 100,000 from its Disaster 
Relief Emergency Funds.

10.  OCHA remains in close contact with respective governments and UN RC 
offices, and will provide further information as it becomes available. 
This situation report, together with additional information on other 
ongoing emergencies, is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel.:  +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  GVA - Ms.Paola Emerson, direct Tel. +41-22-917 1613
  GVA - Ms. Masaaki Nakagawa, direct Tel. +41-22-9174034
  NYC - Ms. Elda Papapoulou direct Tel. +1-917-367 3599

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
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Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
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