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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Tropical Storm, 12-19-11
On December 16, 2011, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Washi, known locally as Sendong, combined with high tides and strong currents to produce flash floods in the Mindanao island group in the southern Philippines, particularly in the most affected Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities. Flash floods occurred at night while most people were asleep, increasing the death toll, according to local media reports. As of December 21, floods and accompanying landslides had killed more than 1,000 people and affected approximately 500,000 others, displacing nearly 44,000 people to 62 evacuation centers, according to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In addition, NDRRMC reported that winds, floods, and landslides damaged or destroyed more than 10,300 houses.
On December 19, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., declared a disaster due to the effects of the storm. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Philippines to Catholic Relief Services to distribute emergency relief water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and water containers, to the most affected individuals in Mindanao. In addition, a USAID/OFDA regional advisor deployed to Mindanao to conduct a rapid needs assessment in flash flood-affected areas and meet with local officials and response personnel.
Additional Disaster Declarations
Floods, 06-28-2011
Continuous rains starting in early June 2011 resulted in overflowing rivers and widespread floods in Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines. As a result of the rains, increased water levels in marshes near the Mindanao River Basin dislodged a large mass of water hyacinth plants and transported them into the river system, causing a total of 11 rivers to overflow. As of June 28, the flooding had killed 12 people and affected nearly 945,000 others in 10 Mindanao provinces, according to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Floods also damaged houses, infrastructure, and cropland.
On June 28, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Philippines for disaster response activities, including the provision of emergency relief supplies and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance.
Floods, 02-01-2011
From January 23 to February 1, 2011, unusually heavy rainfall in the Philippines exacerbated seasonal flooding that began in late December, causing landslides, flash floods, and storm surges in low-lying areas of Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions. As of January 29, flooding had affected approximately 2 million people, killing at least 75 individuals, and displacing nearly 6,800 others to evacuation centers, according to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). On January 29, NDRRMC also reported that floods damaged agricultural lands and infrastructure and destroyed or damaged approximately 5,400 houses.
On February 1, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Leslie A. Bassett declared a disaster due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Philippines to Plan International for the distribution of emergency relief supplies, including hygiene kits and water purification tablets, to flood-affected individuals. In mid-January, prior to the recent heavy rains, a USAID/Philippines and USAID/OFDA rapid assessment team visited flood-affected regions, noting local- and national-level plans to address damage to public infrastructure and agricultural lands.
Typhoon, 10-19-2010
On October 18, 2010, Typhoon Megi, known locally as Juan, passed over northern Luzon Island in the Philippines, bringing heavy rains and sustained winds of up to 140 mph, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. On October 20, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Typhoon Megi had killed 11 people, injured 16 others, and affected more than 215,000 individuals in six regions in the Philippines. Initial NDRRMC reports also indicated that high winds, flooding, and landslides associated with the typhoon damaged or destroyed nearly 44,000 houses, obstructed roads, and damaged agricultural land. However, humanitarian agencies noted that the GPH’s pre-emptive evacuation of more than 3,000 people from at-risk areas and prepositioning of staff and supplies reduced the number of typhoon-related casualties and affected individuals.
On October 19, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Leslie A. Bassett declared a disaster due to the effects of Typhoon Megi. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Philippines for the local purchase and delivery of emergency relief commodities. USAID/OFDA also deployed an assessment team to evaluate humanitarian conditions in coordination with other U.S. Government officials and the GPH..
Volcano, 12-29-2009
In late December, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) evacuated more than 47,000 people living within a 5-mile radius of Mayon volcano in Albay Province, Luzon island, due to increased volcanic activity and the threat of imminent eruption. On December 21, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the warning category for Mayon volcano to Alert Level 4—one step below full eruption. According to PHIVOLCS, Mayon underwent numerous daily volcanic earthquakes, emitting lava and noxious gases. Individuals displaced by the volcanic activity resided in 29 evacuation centers, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and local GPH authorities anticipated that populations could remain displaced for up to three months.
On December 29, U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of volcano-related displacement. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Philippines to the Philippine National Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to support the provision of emergency relief supplies, shelter and settlements, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to populations displaced due to the volcano. A USAID/OFDA field officer also deployed to the Philippines to monitor humanitarian conditions and coordinate the USG response. In addition, USAID/OFDA-funded volcano monitoring, equipment, and training provided through the U.S. Geological Survey-implemented Volcano Disaster Assistance Program contributed to successful warning and evacuation procedures at Mayon volcano.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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