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Latest humanitarian snapshot highlights flooding in Sri Lanka, health concerns in Bangladesh

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PNG
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OCHA
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BANGLADESH

In the Rohingya refugee camps, during the period of 14-21 May, over 50 households and more than 150 individuals were affected by landslides and windstorms. To date, more than 21,300 refugees have been relocated from high risk locations with an additional 8,400 planned. Other preparedness activities continue. Of the 24,000 latrines to be de-sludged, over 17,500 are completed. There is still a need for new de-sludging and solid waste management sites, and there remains a high risk of disease outbreaks including water borne diseases (Acute Watery Diarrhoea, Hep A, Hep E) and vector borne diseases (Dengue, Malaria), due to the poor sanitary conditions in the camps.

21,300 refugees relocated

On 19 May, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Response (MoDMR) and the Armed Forces Division, Government of Bangladesh organized a landslide simulation. Participants included various sections of the armed forces, Rohingya refugees, the police, BGB, volunteers, the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), Bangladesh Red Crescent, the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

SRI LANKA

Very heavy rain fell over the weekend causing flash floods. The worst affected provinces are Southern, Western and Sabaragamuwa. Five people are reported dead. Nearly 2,200 families were affected. Further flooding and landslides are likely if the heavy rain persists.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Between 11-14 May, the Papua New Guinea Emergency Controller’s office distributed close to 21 Metric Tons (MT) of rice and more than 30,000 cans of tinned fish to support 2,096 people (1,092 male and 1,004 female) in Western Province. As of 20 May, WFP distributed 166 MT of food, including rice, high-energy biscuits and government-provided canned fish, to 21,770 people (11,320 males and 10,450 females) in Hela, Southern Highlands, and Western provinces. A 7.5M earthquake on 26 February 2018 affected an estimated 544,000 people in four highland provinces of Papua New Guinea and left

270,000 people in need of life-saving assistance.

INDONESIA

The Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reports that Mt. Merapi in Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces had a second phreatic eruption. The volcano first erupted on 11 May. The eruption occurred at 09:38 am lasting six minutes with a 1,200 meters high ash column. The alert level of Mount Merapi was not raised and stays at Level I (Normal). Volcanic ash fell in four locations including Magelang District.

On 20 May, the Ciliwung and Krukut rivers overflowed, flooding five community hamlets in East and South Jakarta. The flood waters inundated the hamlets with waters up to 50cm deep. The waters have since receded.

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