United Nations continues assistance in Philippines

(New York, 23 February 2006): Assisting in the aftermath of a landslide that hit the village of Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte Province, the United Nations Country Team, with the support of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team leader, continues to work on the development of contingency plans in view of the possibility of additional landslides and to provide support the Government in developing strategies for early recovery, enhanced preparedness and long term risk reduction.
The latest official death toll, according to the Government, has reached 107, while 19 were injured. The Government puts the number of survivors at 560, while 980 people are estimated to be missing.

Currently six evacuation centres in the vicinity of St. Bernard are housing approximately 2,975 people including the former residents of Guinsaugon, those from two neighbouring villages that were partially affected by the original landslides, and those from villages in the vicinity that have been pre-emptively evacuated. At least one additional centre will be opened to address concerns of overcrowding in the existing centres.

Pre-emptive evacuations have taken place in three other municipalities of Southern Keyte - Sogod, Liluan and San Francisco - where geo-hazard assessments indicated that there were high levels of risk of additional landslides. Work is currently underway to confirm the number of families that have been evacuated in these municipalities.

The Office of Civil Defence has estimated that the landslide has resulted in approximately Php 92.2 million (USD 1.8 million) in damage to infrastructure and Php 22.6 million (USD 438,000) in damage to agriculture in the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reports that there are currently 1,185 personnel, from national and international organizations, pursuing search and rescue operations and providing relief and medical services. Relief supplies in the pipeline appear to be sufficient. With the needs for immediate relief items satisfied, several international partners are now focusing attention on medium to long-term support to the Government and communities with regards to preparedness, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The Government of the Philippines welcomes international assistance but has not issued a formal request.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570.