OCHA Situation Report No. 13
Philippines: Typhoons
5 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW: Over 3,000 families continue to live in tents, school 
buildings, improvised temporary shelters, and congested shanties as a 
result of the widespread destruction spawned by successive typhoons in 
late 2006 which also triggered mudflows along the slopes of Mayon 
Volcano that buried villages in Albay province. Government plans for the 
establishment of more transitional and permanent relocation sites are 
expected to progress in the succeeding months. However, further delay in 
the acquisition of lands and construction of permanent houses could have 
serious implications on the vulnerability of the affected families in 
evacuation centers as summer sets in and the next typhoon season looms 
on the horizon come June. Appropriate interventions are therefore 
imperative to adequately prepare displaced families in evacuation 
centers for the hazards posed by the summer as well as the onset of the 
typhoon season, with the aim of preventing outbreaks, injuries, and 
prevent the recurrence of a new wave of life-threatening conditions.

SHELTER: Collective plans for transitional and permanent resettlements 
by the government, the Red Cross and other participating agencies covers 
only 6.9% (21,357 housing units) from the 309,518 totally damaged 
houses.

EDUCATION: From the total of 704 elementary and secondary schools in 
Albay, 99% (702) have sustained varying severity of damages. With the 
total estimated cost of damage amounting to Php527.2 million, 23% 
(Php119 million) have been allocated by the government for the repair 
and reconstruction of damaged schools ? Php61.7 million by the 
Department of Education (DepEd) and Php57.3 million to be released by 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

FOOD: The relief distribution of 294 metric tons of rice (50 
kilogram/family) has initially started to cover rice requirements of 
5,880 target recipient families in evacuation and transit centers as 
well as those residing in affected communities in Albay for a period of 
1-2 months.

CAMP MANAGEMENT: 3,067 families in evacuation and transit centers in 
addition to the large number of IDPs spread in host communities in the 
Bicol region continue to require assistance in improvement of living 
conditions and support to restore livelihoods.

AGRICULTURE: The provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon are 
identified to have incurred massive livelihood distresses with severe 
damage of major livelihood systems including lowland rice, corn, and 
vegetable farmers, coconut and abaca farmers, marine fisher folks, and 
inland fisher folks.

HEALTH: There are no outbreaks of communicable diseases reported. 
However, the province of Albay is on alert for dengue fever with 5 cases 
already identified.

WASH: Water filtration units will be installed for 18 hospitals in Albay 
and Camarines Sur to improve status of water system in these facilities 
while 5,000 family packs will be delivered by UNICEF to Albay and 
Camarines Sur.

PROTECTION: Communicating plans for relocation and generating 
participation on the relocation process are needed to ensure the 
protection of displaced families in evacuation and transit centers.

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