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Latest humanitarian snapshot highlights floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

Countries
Sri Lanka
+ 5 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

Sri Lanka

From 15 to 22 May, floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Roanu affected over 340,000 people across 22 districts.

Authorities confirmed 84 people were killed and 116 are still missing as of 22 May. The floods forced 237,000 people to seek shelter in collective centres and with host families. The majority of the displaced are in Colombo and Gampaha districts. Water, sanitation and hygiene, health, shelter and food have been identified as priorities. The Government is leading the response supported by civil society, private organizations, NGOs and UN agencies who are providing relief items from existing in-country stocks.

Bangladesh

On 23 May, government authorities confirmed that over 1 million people affected by Tropical Storm Roanu have been evacuated. Roanu, which made landfall in Bangladesh on 21 May, caused at least 20 fatalities and damaged more than 80,000 houses across 15 districts – Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Chandpur districts were the worst hit. Local authorities are providing immediate relief assistance. The Humanitarian Coordination Task Team is supporting an ongoing joint needs assessment led by the Department of Disaster Management.

Maldives

Continuous heavy rainfall and storm surges on 15 islands, damaged homes and properties.
Authorities provided support to those affected by the floods.

Indonesia

On 21 May, Mount Sinabung, an active volcano in North Sumatra province, erupted spewing ash, hot gas and rocks up to 3 km. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that seven people have died and two others seriously injured. The victims were inside the prohibited red zone farming when the eruption occurred. BNPB has mobilized its rapid response team to support the local response. While there was no additional displacement as a result of this latest eruption, some 9,300 people have been displaced since June 2015 due to the previous eruptions.

Micronesia

All four island states of Micronesia remain under States of Emergency due to severe drought which continues to affect 100,000 people. Yap and the Chuuk Northwest region are the worst affected. The Government reports that food security for the outlying islands is a serious concern with saltwater intrusion destroying taro patches, the main staple crop. Yap State is currently providing food assistance to residents of the outlying islands.

Marshall Islands

Despite recent rainfall, an estimated 21,000 people remain severely affected by El Niño-induced drought across the Marshall Islands. Food baskets are being prepared for distribution to people in the outer islands. An outbreak of conjunctivitis or pinkeye (inflammation of the eye) was also reported in Majuro.
Health officials have linked the outbreak to the limited water available for handwashing.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.