Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (12 - 18 December 2023)

MYANMAR

Fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and multiple armed groups has intensified since late October and continues to cause surging displacement in multiple states and regions, as well as grave protection threats. Since 26 October, more than 660,000 people have been newly displaced in northern and southern Shan, Kayah, Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing, Mandalay, eastern Bago, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi. This brings the total number of internally displaced people to 2.6 million nationwide. The vast majority of people recently displaced in northern Shan (82,000) have received assistance and work continues to expand the response in other impacted areas such as the Northwest where 50,000 people have already been reached. A rapid response allocation of US$7 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will provide survival support to people most affected in the coming weeks however this is only a fraction of requirements.

An urgent increase in funding is needed for humanitarians to respond effectively to escalating needs with the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan only 29 per cent funded two weeks before the end of the year.

PHILIPPINES

Tropical Storm Jelawat (local name Kabayan) and its interaction with the shear line brought heavy rains and flooding to Regions 11 and CARAGA. More than 86,320 people (25,489 families) were affected with 67,105 people currently staying in 390 active evacuation centers.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 1 missing and 1 injury. The weather system weakened into a low pressure area on 18 December and continues to bring rains to parts of Mindanao. Flooding and landslides remain a threat in the affected areas. State weather bureau PAGASA forecasts a low likelihood of a tropical cyclone forming in the coming week.

CHINA

On the evening of 18 to 19 December, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometers occurred at 23:59 local time in Jishishan County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province. State media reports 116 fatalities in Gansu and Qinghai provinces. 6,381 houses in Jishishan were damaged and rural highways were destroyed as a result of the earthquake, which caused power outages and telecommunication failures in the affected areas. The national comprehensive fire and rescue team mobilized 1,440 fire and rescue personnel to the disaster area. The first batch of relief supplies, comprising coats, quilts, folding beds, tents and stoves were dispatched to the disaster-affected area to ensure the basic necessities of the people. No international assistance has been requested by national authorities