CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
SITUATION REPORT #2: TYPHOON KAMMURI
August 18, 2008


SITUATION: Flooding caused from Typhoon Kammuri is affecting a large 
area of southeast Asia. Vietnam was hit first by rain from the storm 
earlier this month, leaving more than 100 dead or missing;  subsequent 
flooding -- described in some reports as the worst flooding in 100 years 
-- has affected Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand, and flooding is 
expected shortly in Cambodia. The flooding is described as almost a 
"tidal surge" in strength as it moves south toward Cambodia.

"The Mekong flood is moving downstream," said Laos-based CWS Asia 
Regional Coordinator Skip Dangers. " My prediction is that we will be 
getting flood emergency reports from Cambodia later this week."

He added: "The major damages and casualties in Laos from this flood are 
outside of Vientiane (Laos's capital) and because of the generally poor 
communications infrastructure in Laos (particularly in those villages on 
the river between Vientiane and Luang Prabang where there are no roads 
or phone infrastructure)  and the fact that roads out of Vientiane are 
blocked by high water, it will take some days (or longer) to get a clear 
picture of the situation."

Flooding is affecting rural areas throughout the region because small 
villages line most riverbanks, making the villages particularly 
vulnerable to flash flooding.

According to information provided by CWS staff in Vietnam and Laos:

++ Flooding has struck parts of Myanmar (Burma) still trying to recover 
from Cyclone Nargis, the May storm that killed anywhere between 84,000 
and more than 100,000; the latest flooding has affected both the capital 
of Yangon and the Irrawaddy delta area affected most severely by Nargis.

++ In Laos, landslides caused by the flooding have killed at least four 
people there.

++ Three northeastern Thai provinces that border the Mekong River and 
Laos have been badly affected, causing massive flooding to thousands of 
acres of fertile farmland.

++ In Vietnam, a total of 125 have died, and 38 are reported missing; 
nearly 800 homes have been destroyed, and 17,793 homes have been flooded 
or damaged.


CWS RESPONSE: CWS staff members in Laos and Vietnam, working with 
government and partner relief groups, are conducting assessments to 
determine unmet needs. CWS may issue an appeal to respond to this 
emergency.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS 
Hotline, (800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151

Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic: bvollmering@churchworldservice.org

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