NEPAL
Emergency shelter remains the top response priority, especially with the imminent monsoon rains. Other priority needs include sanitation and hygiene support, household items, medical kits and supplies, food and protection.
To date, 70,000 tarpaulins and nearly 6,000 tents were distributed; nearly 370,000 people received food; more than 345,000 people were provided with safe drinking water and more than 250,000 people with hygiene support.
70,000 tarpaulins delivered
370,000 people received food
The topography challenge is being resolved by enhancing aid delivery methods. Teams of responders were dispatched to cover the affected areas on foot and relief goods are being dropped off at strategic locations.
THAILAND
Authorities and media reported that more than 30 bodies had been found in smugglers’ camps in the southern province of Songkhla, close to the border with Malaysia. The dead were said to be people originating from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Thai police are investigating.
MYANMAR AND BANGLADESH
A UNHCR periodic report released on 8 May estimates that some 25,000 Rohingya and Bangladeshis boarded smugglers’ boats between January and March in 2015 – almost double the number over the same period in 2014.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck on 5 May off Kokopo, New Britain province. This caused the collapse of electricity distribution lines, cracks in some walls and the partial collapse of a bridge. A surge wave of less than one meter was observed. On 7 May, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake stuck 144 km off Paguna,
Bougainville. No damage or injuries were reported. Over 33 earthquakes were recorded in past weeks.
PHILIPPINES
Typhoon Noul made landfall on10 May at Santa Ana, Caguyan Province, Northern Luzon with wind speeds of 185 kph and gusts up to 220 kph according to the Philippines Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The Department of Social Welfare and Development reports over 1,850 people affected in Region II, with over 1,580 people inside 19 evacuation centres and the remainder with host communities. As of 11 May two casualties and minimal damage was reported. The typhoon is expected to leave the Philippines Area of Responsibility late on 11 May and head towards Taiwan and Japan.
1,850 people affected
INDONESIA
Heavy rainfall caused two landslides in West Java and East Java on 6 May. In West Java the landslide resulted in five deaths and eight injuries.
Four people are still missing and search and rescue operations are ongoing. Eight houses were damaged and a natural gas pipeline was damaged. The local disaster authorities, police and community volunteers are supporting recovery operations and searching for missing people. Local disaster management authorities are leading the response.
5 people killed
WEST PACIFIC
On 10 May, Tropical Storm Dolphin passed 230 km east of Pohnpei island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), travelling at a speed of around 70 kmh. Initial reports indicate the storm caused some flooding and damage to crops. The FSM National Disaster Management Office commenced assessments on 11 May. Dolphin is forecast to move west-northwest towards Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and is likely to intensify as it moves west.