United Nations seeks $46 million for urgent needs in Philippines

(Geneva: 15 December 2006): The United Nations today appealed for USD 46 million to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable persons affected by the four typhoons in Philippines, over the next 12 months.

This Appeal addresses the cumulative impact of the four devastating typhoons that hit the country over a period of 10 weeks from 25 September to 9 December 2006. On average, the Philippines face about 20 typhoons annually, with five of them expected to cause major damages.

Typhoon Utor, which made landfall in the Philippines on Saturday 9 December, has brought renewed suffering to hundreds of thousands of people already affected by Typhoon Durian. Since 30 November, over 1,400 people have been reported dead or missing, according to figures from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), while close to 110,000 people have sought refuge in evacuation centers in the three worst-affected provinces.

With more than seven million people affected by the last four typhoons since September, casualty figures for Typhoons Durian and Utor have continued to rise as communication lines are restored in remote areas. Mudslides, flooding and landslides, especially in areas close to Mount Mayon and other active volcanoes, have destroyed homes, schools and hospitals, and caused widespread power outages. Total and partially damaged houses are 332,638 and 711,382, respectively. Infrastructure, agricultural crops and fishing farms were wiped out where losses amounted to US$ 246 million. Local government offices, medical facilities and schools buildings also incurred major damages, seriously affecting the delivery of basic medical and emergency services, and indefinitely disrupting primary and secondary classes in the affected areas.

The number of internally displaced people remains high with 190,565 people staying in 652 designated evacuation centers. The disruption of access to safe drinking water and the breakdown of waste management represent a major threat, and the risk of outbreaks of water borne diseases is looming.

The immediate emergency relief needs and other life-saving activities have been programmed under the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) worth US$2.6 million. The Appeal addresses remaining caseloads of emergency relief requirements and early recovery needs for a period of 12 months.