OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Philippines: Typhoon
1 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the 
Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the 
Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC).

Situation

1. Typhoon Durian, known as "Reming" in the Philippines, made landfall 
at Catanduanes on 30 November before moving westward to Mindoro on 1 
December, south of Manila. Durian achieved maximum sustained winds of 
190 kph at its centre with gusts of up to 225 kph.

2. Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) level 4 (highest level) was 
declared at Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines provinces and level 3 in 
Sorsogon, Quezon, Marinduque, Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite and Laguna. 
Manila city and nearby provinces remained at level 2.

3. The Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC) reports that heavy rains 
caused landslides/mudflows near the Mount Mayon volcano, affecting five 
or more villages near Daraga town in Albay province.

4. The NDCC reports 198 people confirmed dead, 260 missing and 64 
injured.

5. NDCC reports that 25,020 people are affected in ten different 
provinces. Floodwaters have reportedly reached 10 feet in some areas.

6. A large but unconfirmed number of houses are known to have been 
destroyed or damaged. There are reports of damage to school buildings 
being used as evacuation centres.

7. Fallen trees and debris have closed roads across the affected region. 
Widespread power and communications outages have been reported, as well 
as disruption to water supplies.

8. A large number of shipping vessels and air flights have been 
cancelled. NDCC reports that 1,294 people, 246 vehicles and 9 vessels 
remain stranded.

National and International Response

9. NDCC reports that efforts are underway to clear roads to allow access 
for response teams.

10. A government C-130 transport plane was scheduled to deliver relief 
assistance (including food, drinking water, tents and non-food items) to 
Legaspi City on 1 December.

11. Government geologists will assess environmental damage and 
investigate the possibility of and mudflows from Mount Mayon.

12. NDCC will field a national assessment team (with line ministry 
involvement) on 2 December. Results of the assessment will be known 
later the same day, at which time the government will determine whether 
international assistance will be required.

13. Priority actions identified by NDCC at this point include: rapid 
damage and needs assessment, search & rescue operations and relief 
operations. The needs identified by NDCC include: food, drinking water, 
medical teams, social workers, medicines, body bags, blankets, tents and 
temporary shelter items, rescue team with dogs and helicopter for aerial 
survey.

14. NDCC has asked UNOSAT to provide satellite imagery of 
landslide-affected areas.

15. A number of governments have offered assistance for assessments 
and/or relief teams.

16. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines has been 
in contact with the NDCC to offer the UN's full support.

17. The International Federation of the Red Cross has confirmed that it 
will mobilise a Field Assessment and Coordination Team.

18. This situation report, together with the information on 
contributions and other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the 
OCHA Internet Website at 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:
  Ms. Paola Emerson direct Tel. +41-22-9171613

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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