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Latest regional snapshot highlights seismic activity off Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

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Solomon Islands
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OCHA
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Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot from the OCHA Regional Office in Asia and the Pacific

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

A passenger ship with 459 people aboard, mostly high-school students, sank in waters off the southwest coast of the Republic of Korea on 16 Apr. At least 64 people have died, and 238 are missing. More than 500 divers, rescue boats and aircraft continue the rescue operation in difficult conditions.

Source: Media

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Two weeks after floods devastated Honiara and Guadalcanal, there are 22 confirmed fatalities, 10,000 people displaced and over 50,000 still affected. The Government is encouraging people in evacuation centres to return home, with assistance packages ready for distribution. Joint assessments of damaged households are underway in Honiara to assess whether flood-affected areas are safe for returnees. Displaced people are being moved out of schools to allow all classes to resume 22 Apr. A draft Humanitarian Action Plan has been developed by national clusters and partners for endorsement by the National Disaster Council. On 21 Apr, an UNDAC team deployed to conduct an environmental assessment on a flooded and abandoned tailings dam.

Source: OCHA ROP

MYANMAR

Following the 26-27 Mar civil unrest that caused severe damage to NGO and UN offices, warehouses, and living quarters in Sittwe, a large number of humanitarian staff remain outside Rakhine State. The Government has fast tracked a number of Travel Authorizations to facilitate the return of international aid workers to Sittwe. Meetings to scale up humanitarian operations are taking place at both the Union and State level during the coming week. UN agencies and INGOs continue to work with national authorities to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable communities, including food, water, sanitation, nutrition and health services.

Source: OCHA Myanmar

Conflict between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army erupted on 10 Apr in southern Kachin State and continued for several days, affecting several villages. Approximately 2,800 people fled the fighting and are being hosted in three locations. Many of the new IDPs include people who have already been displaced during fighting in southern Kachin State in Nov 2013.

An unconfirmed number of people have also fled across the border to China, where they have received support from local NGOs. The response is being led by local NGOs, with support from international organisations. So far, NFIs, tents, food and hygiene kits have been distributed. Inter-agency assessments are planned during the coming week to identify remaining needs.

Source: OCHA Myanmar

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

There has been significant seismic activity in the last week, with at least five earthquakes over 6.0 magnitude off Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, including a magnitude 7.8 on 19 Apr that struck off Panguna on the island of Bougainville. A tsunami warning was briefly issued. There have been no reports of major damage. OCHA and the Disaster Management Team are closely monitoring actions by the Provincial Disaster Team.

Source: OCHA ROP/USGS/DMT

Ongoing Emergencies

Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan
Philippines: Bohol Earthquake
Philippines: Zamboanga

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