PAPUA NEW GUINEA
On 3 Nov, the Government welcomed the involvement of the Disaster Management Team in supporting the drought response. According to the Government, about 2.4 million people are affected by drought, of which 1 million people live in the most severely affected regions. Coupled with frost, the drought has impacted economic and agricultural activities, as well as access to education and health services. According to the Government, the current situation will become devastating if the drought continues for another three to four months.
Key needs include the provision of drinking water and purifying tablets, as well as food.
2.4 million people affected
PHILIPPINES
Government-led relief efforts are transitioning to recovery operations three weeks into the response to Typhoon Koppu (Lando). Nearly 302,000 people returned home in Regions I and III so far, according to the latest Government report issued on 3 Nov. Some 714,000 people remain displaced, of which 9,100 people are in 37 evacuation centres.
714,000 people displaced
A 5.7M earthquake struck near heavily populated areas in Luzon early on 8 Nov. No damages or casualties were reported.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
El Niño is impacting on water, food supply and livelihoods in communities around the country. In some provinces up to 70 per cent of crops are dead. Reports of disease have been received with some provinces reporting increases in dysentery, diarrhoea, stomach ache, pneumonia and vomiting. Health clinics and schools have been forced to close including 16 schools in Guadalcanal alone. A Drought Taskforce has also been established, the National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and assessments are underway.
70% of crops dead
MYANMAR
Around 6,000 people remain displaced following fighting that broke out between the Myanmar military and Shan State Army North in central Shan State in early Oct. Those displaced are staying in monasteries and IDP camps. Following assessments, INGOs and local CSOs have identified immediate needs in hygiene kits, clothing, blankets, food, health, shelter and WASH. INGOs and local organisations are providing assistance to those displaced, but further assistance is needed.4
6,000 people displaced
Elections took place peacefully with no major events noted and a reportedly high turnout.
However, elections did not go ahead in a number of conflict affected areas. Preliminary results are expected later this week.
INDONESIA
Starting in July, fires have burnt a total of 2.1 million hectares of land; 80 per cent on Sumatra and Kalimantan islands. As reported by BNPB on 6 Nov, nearly 560,000 people suffered from acute respiratory infections and more than 43 million people have been affected by the haze. Rains since the last week of Oct have significantly improved the situation. Parts of Cental and East Java are still experiencing drought due to El Niño.
43 million people affected
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck on 4 Nov. The epicenter was near Alor Island of East Nusa Tenggara Province. BNPB reported three injured people, 884 damaged houses and 51 damaged schools, health facilities, offices and places of worship. Local government provided emergency response assistance. Two other earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude occurred in North Sumatra and Aceh on 8 Nov. Immediate reports have indicated no damage or casualties, although they caused some panic among local communities.