Situation Overview
It is nearly two weeks since TY Odette ravaged the country. With its first landfall on the afternoon of December 16, 2021, the Category 5 typhoon brought heavy rains and powerful winds that triggered extensive flooding, landslides and storm surges which resulted in colossal destruction to several regions in the country particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. In just 72 hours, thousands of vulnerable families lost their homes and livelihoods while thousands of schools are being used as evacuation centers, affecting the education of approximately 15 million students.
An estimated 16 million people were affected by the Typhoon in the six worst-hit regions, leaving approximately 2.4 million people in need of assistance. Despite the vigorous response of local governments and other various private sectors to help families in the most affected areas, humanitarian needs remain very high. The humanitarian situation could be worse if these needs are not addressed immediately. Another the difficulty is that almost all the affected provinces had already spent their budgets due to their response to the year-long COVID-19 pandemic. Many provincial government units have declared that they are unable to support all the affected populations in their jurisdiction.
Preliminary reports are already coming from Puerto Princesa City. However, many major utilities such as electricity, water and communication lines remain down and there is no certainty as to when it will be restored. Roxas has suffered nearly 80% of damage on their agriculture and livestock. Facilities such as hospitals and health centers were damaged by strong winds and floods as well as 80% of schools. The Langogan Bridge in Puerto Princesa City was partially damaged, only motorcycles could pass. This damage disrupted land transport of people and supplies between Puerto Princesa City and the northern part of Palawan. All communication lines as well as electricity were turned off, while Western Union and Palawan Pawnshop were closed for sending remittances. Meanwhile, there is still no information available in other municipalities of the region.
In Dinagat Island, many water systems, pipelines, and even reservoirs were destructed due to landslide. As there is a gap in food and WASH, various diseases begin to emerge. Many children in the evacuation center fell ill. Physical distancing and use of protective equipment such as masks are no longer observed in many evacuation centers. Since the island was totally wiped out, the lack of protective measures in evacuation areas is a threat to vulnerable sectors such as girls and women as they are highly exposed and gender-based violence is possible. Repairs to damaged major facilities are ongoing and efforts to restore communication lines is still underway.
In Bohol, partial power restoration is seen in some areas by December 31 according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) after deploying 1,100 personnel of 87-line gangs and other support services to conduct restoration. Based on the foot assessment conducted last December 25, a total of 95 transmission lines were affected wherein 12 towers and 818 poles were damaged. The two giant towers connecting Bohol and Leyte Geothermal Power Plant have been completely ruined and it will take at least 6 months to restore.
In Tagbilaran City, power supply can be restored to companies that delivers essential services such as gasoline stations, hospitals, and radio stations on Friday, while gradually restoring power connection to resident areas will follow.
The Secretary of National Defense and Chair of NDRRMC also announced that the government is willing to receive support from other countries to sustain the provision of assistance to those affected. Government response remains challenged as access and telecommunication problems in many of the affected areas which is making data collection and other relevant updates difficult.
Source: NDRRMC, Bohol Chronicle, UNHCR.ORG
Affected Populations
• As TY Odette swept across the Visayas and Mindanao hitting multiple regions in its path, fatalities has climbed up to 389 and estimates indicate that around 16 million were affected by the typhoon based on the latest report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
• 1,146 were reportedly injured and 64 individuals were still missing. The latest figures indicated that a total of 1,074,169 families were affected in 6,057 barangays in 11 regions. A total of 570,906 persons have been displaced and have sought temporary shelters in schools, barangay halls and evacuation centers.
• To date, the ravage of TY Rai also left 506,404 damaged houses, of which 339,327 were partially damaged and 167,077 were totally damaged.
• In agriculture, 79,282.0375 hectares of crops were damaged, with an estimated cost of 5,315,842,606.17 pesos while 1,174,296 was incurred damaged in livestock and poultry.
• A total of 334 cities or municipalities in MIMAROPA, Region 6, Region 8 and CARAGA had declarations of State of Calamity.
Source: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC
Emergency Response Efforts
1. CDRC is closely monitoring Typhoon “ODETTE” since it was spotted by PAGASA and also monitoring the situation in the affected areas and constantly updating situation reports.
2. CDRC is also closely coordinating with its regional centers in affected areas to collect information on the situation and needs on the ground.
3. On December 15, CDRC activated its Emergency Response Team for TY Odette as well as the affected regions of its regional centers. (PCDR, LCDE, CPRS, CRRC, STPRC and DIRECT).
4. CDRC’s Regional Centers are constantly coordinating with their respective LGU partners particularly with the Local DRRM Offices in the affected cities and provinces. Emergency
5. Response Teams of the respective affected regional centers have been monitoring developments in the local situation and continue to send data from the ground.
6. With the rising need for emergency response, CDRC coordinates mechanisms and fundraising
efforts. A call for donation for TY Odette has already been posted in our official Facebook
page.
7. In addition to coordinating between partners and other networks, typhoon-affected regional
centers are currently sending appeals for Emergency Relief Assistance Fund.
8. Regional centers STPRC, LCDE, PCDR and DIRECT has deployed their rapid assessment teams to conduct damages, needs and capacity assessment (DNCA). The gathered assessment data and results are now being used to develop an appeal in able to reach wide range affected communities through direct food assistance, shelter rehabilitation and help their livelihood recover.
9. All Emergency Response Assistance Fund submitted by RCs have been approved. Procurement of goods are underway.
10. CDRC has deployed ERT in Southern Leyte.
Resources Available
Standby emergency funds
1. Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
2. Monetary and in-kind donations
Expressed Needs
Initial Assessments have indicated immediate needs include;
• Food supplies
• Clean water
• Hygiene kits
• Facemasks
• Primary medicines
• Sleeping materials
• Shelter kit
Recovery assistance and reconstruction efforts are needed to repair damaged infrastructures such as houses, schools, barangay halls, health centers, highways and electrical poles. Continuous efforts to provide support to the agricultural sector are also needed.
Coordination
Regional Center
1 LCDE (Leyte Center for Development, Inc .based in Palo,Leyte)
2. PCDR (Panay Center for Disaster Response, Inc. based in Iloilo City)
3. CPRS (Center for People’s Resources and Services, Inc. based in Bacolod City)
4. CRRC (Cebu-Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center, Inc.based in Cebu City)
5. DIRECT (Disaster Response Center, Inc. based in Saranggani)
6. STPRC (Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center, Inc. based in Los Banos, Laguna)
Contacts
1. Hanna Fiel, Deputy Executive Director, 0945-8355589, hanna.fiel.cdrc2019@gmail.com
2. Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0928-182-4969, lpd@cdrc-phil.com