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Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (25 September - 1 October 2018)

Countries
Indonesia
+ 3 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

INDONESIA

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Central Sulawesi on Friday, 28 September at 17.02 (Western Indonesia time). The quake subsequently caused a tsunami that hit coastal areas in Palu City and Donggala. As of 1 October, 844 people are known to have died and more than 600 people are severely injured. There are currently more than 48,000 displaced people staying in over 200 sites. Figures are expected to rise as more information becomes available.

48,000 people displaced

Joint search and rescue teams, consisting of the National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), police and government officials have deployed to affected areas. Delivery of aid and assessments are ongoing; however, some areas still remain inaccessible due to landslides and damaged infrastructure. The runway at Palu airport is also damaged, slowing the inward movement of equipment and personnel.

According to the national disaster management agency (BNPB), key immediate needs include food, shelter materials, fuel and generators, clean water and medical assistance.

On 1 October, the Government of Indonesia, through the national disaster management agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed specific offers of international assistance that are in line with identified humanitarian needs on the ground.

JAPAN

Typhoon Trami made landfall on Sunday, 30 September at 20:00 local time near Osaka city, with gusts of up to 216 km/h. The typhoon continues to track north-eastwards towards Hokkaido island. Warnings remain in effect in northern parts of Japan for heavy rains, floods, and high waves. One person has been confirmed dead, with 100 injured. There is no expected request for international assistance.

PAKISTAN

The Government of Pakistan has issued a drought alert for parts of Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, and Gilgit Baltistan provinces. The most severely affected are the Sindh province areas of Tharparkar Umerkot, Thatta, Dadu, Sanghar and Kambar Shahdadkot, all of which have been declared “calamity-affected”. The area encompasses approximately 315 villages, but estimates of affected population are not yet available.

Although no international assistance has been requested, FAO and partners will conduct an assessment shortly. OCHA continues to monitor the situation and is in close contact with government and humanitarian partners.

MYANMAR

Armed clashes between ethnic armed groups in Namtu Township in Shan State have displaced more than 1,700 people in the month of September. Displaced people sheltered in religious sites in Namtu and Hsipaw townships where they received assistance from local community groups and humanitarian organisations. By the end of September, the majority of the displaced people were able to return home after the fighting subsided. Many people affected by the conflict reported being repeatedly displaced a number of times in recent months, seriously impacting their livelihoods and access to essential services.

1,700 people temporarily displaced

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