THAILAND

Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall in southern Thailand on 4 January, bringing widespread and torrential rainfall affecting 720,885 people and damaging farmland and houses in 16 provinces. Provincial authorities are leading the relief operation with support from national government, Thai Red Cross and local NGOs.

720,880 people affected

PACIFIC

The Solomon Islands has been impacted by heavy rains, flooding and landslides due to a series of weather systems, including Tropical Cyclone (TC) Mona. According to the national disaster management office, two people have died and around 22,000 people’s homes or food crops were destroyed. Humanitarian organizations in-country are working to augment the Government’s response where requested. TC Mona is moving southwards and is currently located between Fiji and Tonga, with heavy rains expected, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Despite the cyclone weakening, warnings remain in force for Fiji.

INDONESIA

On 4 January, Mt. Merapi in Central Java erupted with ash rain affecting two villages in Klaten Regency. Ash rains lasting 20 minutes occurred approximately 30 minutes after Mount Merapi emitted incandescent lava around 21:00 local time (UTC+7) towards Kali Gendol Sleman District,

Yogyakarta. The Klaten Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) distributed 5,000 masks to residents in affected areas.

PHILIPPINES

Multiple landslides and widespread flooding caused by Tropical Depression Usman, which made landfall near Borongan, Eastern Samar Province on 29 December, have resulted in over 120 deaths. More than 680,000 people across 14 provinces have been affected by the storm, of which 55 per cent in Bicol Region and 42 per cent in Eastern Visayan Region. At the peak, some 456,000 people were displaced with 1,600 homes reported destroyed and 8,800 damaged. Estimated agricultural losses continue to rise, reaching PHP1 billion (US$ 18 million), with nearly 37,000 farmers and fisherfolk affected.

MYANMAR

In Rakhine State, more than 4,500 people remain displaced by fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Military over the past month. Troop movements and clashes continued over recent days following attacks by the AA on police posts in Buthidaung Township on 4 January. Displaced people are sheltering in monasteries and other communal spaces in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships.

The Rakhine State authorities, Red Cross, local civil society organizations, and host communities have provided assistance, mainly food, cash and other relief items.

AFGHANISTAN

1,500 new IDPs were reported in Afghanistan in the past week . The food cluster reached some 577,000 people in need in 25 provinces with 6,200 metric tons (MT) of food and US$ 1.26 million in cash transfers. A total of 343,000 people have been verified as displaced by conflict in 2018.