OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Philippines: Typhoon
19 February 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW:  Two months after the typhoons, which struck the Philippines
in late 2006, emergency relief needs have scaled down and early recovery
activities have initiated with the strong involvement of the government,
local organizations and the international community. While most people
have returned to their homes and started restoring their livelihoods,
over 3,000 families continue to find refuge in evacuation and transit
centers. With displacement estimated to extend for the next six months,
sufficient assistance for basic necessities, improvement of living
environment conditions, livelihood and psychosocial support must be
provided to ensure the right of displaced families to a dignified and
humane life.

FOOD: The increase in food rations from 2.5 kilogram/family to the
appropriate level of 50 kilogram/family will benefit 5,880 affected
families (29,400 people) residing in evacuation and transit centres as
well as displaced people in host communities.

NUTRITION: Malnutrition prevalence and low breastfeeding rates remain to
be evident in Bicol Region. However, the exact extent of malnutrition
still needs to be determined through the development of a standardized
nutritional assessment.

CAMP MANAGEMENT: 3,067 families continue to reside in 25 evacuation and
transit centres in Albay. While land acquisitions for permanent
resettlements is still being finalized by the government, the structures
and facilities in these temporary shelters demand improvement and
upgrading. Large number of IDPs in host communities also requires
shelter repair assistance and livelihood support.

SHELTER: 310,000 homes were demolished by the successive typhoons in 7
regions. Assistance for the construction of permanent resettlements
continues to be insufficient, especially- with the 56% (6,900) reduction
of the 12,000 planned housing units by the government due to financial
constraints. A total of 13,356 transitional shelter kits will be
distributed by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) to the affected
provinces of Marinduque, Albay, Catanduanes, Mindoro Occidental,
Camarines Sur, Quezon, Isabela, Aurora and Masbate.

HEALTH: There are no outbreaks of communicable diseases reported. While
initial repair and rehabilitation of hospital infrastructures and
essential health care facilities occur, the need for hospital equipment
and medical supplies remains significant.

EDUCATION: Php3.1 billion worth of school property were damaged
affecting 5,685 schools. Albay province accounts for 79% of the total
cost of damage, involving over 357,400 children. In addition, 595 Early
Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) learning centres were totally and
partially destroyed.

AGRICULTURE: The main sources of livelihood of countless families in the
affected areas such as coconut and abaca farms, and fisheries and
aquaculture have been severely devastated, further deteriorating the
situation of poverty-stricken families who will be without a source of
income for the next 3 to 5 years.

PROTECTION: Displaced families in evacuation and transit centres must be
well informed of plans and process of relocation in order to prevent
further conflicts to surface.

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