Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (16 - 22 April 2024)

INDONESIA

Following the eruptions of Mount Ruang in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands District of North Sulawesi on 16 April, the volcano’s status escalated to Level IV (the highest level) on 17 April at 21.00 local time. As of 22 April at 09.00, the level has decreased to Level III (Readiness level). The Volcanology Agency advised no activity within a four-kilometre radius of the mountain. Local populations who live in coastal areas are warned of burning rocks, hot cloud surges and potential tsunamis. Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, the provincial capital, has been closed temporarily since 18 April. Over 7,000 people are reportedly displaced. In addition, at least 135 houses, two churches and one school were damaged. The local government declared a 14-day emergency response phase between 16 and 29 April, providing basic relief assistance. To complement the response that is led by the local government, the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure has delivered 5 large tents, 100 family tents, 4 light towers, 4 generator sets, 10 portable toilets and 300 packages of hygiene kits. The response operation is supported by a National Search and Rescue Agency vessel and a helicopter. Meanwhile, cold lava floods triggered by high-intensity rain in Mount Semeru on 18 April affected the Lumajang District of East Java. 17 bridges were damaged, cutting off road access of Lumajang – Malang National Road through Pronojiwo. Three fatalities were reported, along with damages to six houses, a motorbike and 24 irrigation sluice gates* are also reported. The Lumajang District’s Rapid Response Team has conducted assessments, as well as cleaning up the cold lava material and monitoring potential threats.

AFGHANISTAN

Between April 1st and 13th, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 75,671 individuals made their way into Afghanistan via various border crossings: Islam Qala and Milak from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Torkham, Ghulam Khan, and Spin Boldak from Pakistan. Among this influx, 51 per cent were undocumented Afghan returnees, with IOM Afghanistan providing assistance to 23 per cent of them across all four border points. In interviews conducted by the Displacement Tracking Matrix Afghanistan, it was found that possession of travel documents, such as passports or visas, was uncommon among Afghan nationals, with less than a fifth carrying either type of document. However, less than two-thirds of them were found to possess an Afghan national ID (Tazkira). The primary reasons for leaving the Islamic Republic of Iran to return to Afghanistan were deportation (57 per cent) and voluntary/spontaneous return (41 per cent). Meanwhile, in the case of Pakistan, the top reasons for departure were primarily voluntary or spontaneous return (72 per cent) followed by family-related visits (39 per cent). Among respondents, the most common destinations within Afghan provinces included Herat, Nangarhar and Kabul.

MYANMAR

Nationwide, displacement continues to rise to record numbers, with nearly 2.9 million people displaced, including almost 2.6 million people who have fled their homes due to conflict and insecurity since the military takeover in 2021. In the southeast, the conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and various armed groups continues, with an escalation in fighting between the MAF and joint forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kayin, where armed clashes have intensified in Hpapun and Myawaddy townships. In Rakhine, the situation has rapidly worsened in Buthidaung Township with increasing violence and fears over inter-communal tension; on 15 April, an international NGO office and a pharmacy were burnt down in an arson attack. The day before, approximately 50 houses were reportedly set on fire in downtown Buthidaung. The number of people displaced in Rakhine and Paletwa townships in Chin since the conflict reignited last November has increased to an estimated 166,000 people.

PAKISTAN

Between 12 and 21 April, Pakistan grappled with unprecedented devastation from heavy rainfall, lightning and flash floods primarily affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The toll stands at 99 fatalities and 94 injuries, accompanied by extensive damage to 464 schools, over 3,500 houses and 220 other structures, alongside the loss of more than 350 livestock. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported 63 deaths, 79 injuries and significant property damage across various districts. A flood emergency has been declared in multiple Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts until 30 April to facilitate relief efforts and assessments. According to Balochistan’s PDMA, heavy rainfall in Balochistan resulted in 15 deaths, 10 injuries and damage to over 240 houses. Additionally, 21 people have lost their lives and 5 injured in Punjab due to adverse weather conditions.

CHINA

Since 20 April, heavy rainfall has led to fatalities and missing persons in various regions of south China's Guangdong Province; according to local authorities, as of 22 April, four people lost their lives due to the severe weather, with three fatalities occurring in Zhaoqing City and one among the rescuers in Shaoguan City. Currently, 10 people are reported missing from Shaoguan and Qingyuan cities. Heavy rains and damage to power facilities in Zhaoqing have led to power disruptions for approximately 1.16 million households. Search and rescue efforts led by Guangdong Provincial Government are ongoing. The affected areas, including Guangzhou, Heyuan, Huizhou, Meizhou, Qingyuan, Shaoguan and Zhaoqinghave experienced significant disruptions. Damages to infrastructure and landslides have also been reported. To reduce further risks, authorities in Guangdong have commenced relocation efforts, with over 110,000 residents, including 45,000 in Qingyuan, already relocated across the province. Chinese military is assisting in road clearance due to obstructions caused by landslides and heavy rains.