Humanitarian Health Action

Philippines situation reports - archive

2012

Tropical storm Saola and Flooding

7 August – There is extreme flooding in Manila as meteorologists report that over half a month’s rain fell on the city in 24 hours. At least 15 people were killed in and near the city. The flooding has forced 250,000 to flee their homes and one area of the city was hit by a landslide. Bad weather over the past week has resulted in 68 deaths across the country, according to civil defense officials.
Tropical Storm Saola (Gener) turned into a typhoon on 30 Jul 2012. It did not strike the Philippines directly, but it brought several days of heavy continuous rains to large parts of the country causing flooding in low-lying areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
WHO is working with the Department of Health and partners to minimize the health impact of this disaster.

Earthquake hits Negros Oriental, Philippines

15 February 2102 -- A 6.9-magnitude undersea blind thrust earthquake occurred off the coast of Negros Oriental, Philippines, on Monday, 6 February 2012 at 11:49 PST (03:49 UTC), with the epicenter approximately 72 kilometers (44 miles) north of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

2011

Tropical storm Washi - Flooding (Mindanao)

22 December 2011 - The southern Philippines experienced a devastating tropical storm from 16 to 18 December 2011 affecting Mindanao Region with strong winds, massive flash flood and landslides. As of 22 December, the total population affected by Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) was 65 067 families (348 749 persons) in 319 barangays (villages) across eight cities and 31 municipalities in 13 provinces of seven regions. Some 10 039 families (44 213 persons) sought refuge in 60 evacuation centres which are mostly located in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. The death toll has risen to 976 while 46 persons remain missing.

Floods Mindanao

2010

Typhoon Megi

Typhoon Megi entered the Philippine Area of responsibility on 16 October 2010 at 4:00 am local time. The typhoon was located at 190 km East of Tuguegarao,Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 225 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kph (Category 5). The typhoon is moving west southwest of Luzon at 19 kph. It is expected to make landfall in Isabela before noon of 18 October and projected to exit through Ilocos Sur before midnight.

2009

Complex emergency in Mindanao - August - September 2009

Battered by conflict and flooding, 300 000-400 000 people in the southern island of Mindanao have been displaced and face multiple health risks, including malnutrition, diarrhea, respiratory illness and psychosocial trauma. WHO is requesting US$ 914 176 to ensure the continued provision of health services to displaced people living inside and outside temporary settlements in the conflict-affected regions. The funding would be used to establish a WHO field office in Mindanao, recruit staff and supply medicines.

2008

Landslide in Compostela Valley - 6 September 2008

Two landslide incidents happened on 6 and 7 September 2008 near the site of the Apex Mining Corporation at Maco, Compostela Valley. 279 families (1 216 individuals) were temporarily housed in 5 evacuation centers. Damages to infrastructure include 83 residential houses, 2 Apex Mining bunk houses and one village (barangay) hall. As of 13 September 2008, 24 persons were reported dead, 31 injured and 2 still missing.

Complex emergency in Mindanao - August 2008

The Clusters have been activated and WHO is leading in health together with its national and international partners.
WHO and UNFPA have presented a project proposal to the Resident Coordinator requesting US$ 932 969 from the CERF to provide emergency relief assistance to the victims of the armed conflict. The project seeks to ensure that health centres serving the displaced and affected communities have the necessary emergency medical supplies and that safe water is available.

Tropical Storm Fengshen - 19 - 23 June 2008

The typhoon affected around 813 374 families forcing about 30 998 families to stay in evacuation centers. Total casualty count has reached 1 434 with 610 dead and 824 injured. Estimated cost of damages to agriculture and infrastructure has amounted to PHP10 735 947 000.

WHO Update

2006

Typhoons

A series of destructive typhoons hit the Philippines during the last quarter of 2006 causing widespread loss of lives, injuries and extensive damage to property. These were named Cimaron, Xangsane, Durian and Utor (local codenames: Paeng, Milenyo, Reming and Seniang, respectively). The total death toll from these typhoons reached more than 1000 persons and the number of injured were 3163.

Photo gallery: Typhoon Durian - Damage to Hospitals in Albay
30 November 2006 -- Super typhoon Reming (international name: Durian) hit the Bicol Region of the Philippines on November 30, 2006. With winds as high as 230kph, it damaged many health care facilities, including major government hospitals. Two months after the typhoon, many of these damaged hospitals have yet to be fully repaired and rehabilitated. To help identifiy and prioritize hospitals for rehabilitation,

Southern Leyte Landslides February 2006

Two weeks of sustained rains in the central Philippines have triggered a landslide in the province of Southern Leyte. The landslide hit the village of Guinsaugon in the town of St. Bernard at 10:00am local time on 17 February 2006. The population of the village is 1857 with 321 households. The village was buried by the landslide including a school with an estimated number of 246 students and 7 teachers having classes at that time. As of 24 February, there were 131 deaths reported. Of the 26 survivors admitted to the hospitals, two (2) died from severe injuries. Six evacuation centers were established for those displaced from Guinsaugon and other villages that had to be evacuated because of continuous rains.

2004

Floods December 2004

WHO has mobilized US$ 20 000 to support the assessment of urgent health needs. Medical kits are on standby and are ready to be shipped should they be needed. The WHO Country Team is in close contact with the Ministry of Health. The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and WHO Headquarters are closely following the situation and are ready to backstop the Country Team. An operations room in headquarters has been established.

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