ASIA-PACIFIC INTER-AGENCY REGIONAL OVERVIEW EL NIÑO (as of May 9th 2016) About this Brief

This overview collates available evidence on the devastating impact of El Niño across the region. It provides country overviews information on national and local level impacts, needs and responses. The countries featured include , India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, , Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.

Note the total number of affected and funding summary information shown in this overview is incomplete and needs further updates from all organizations responding to El Nino in Asia-Pacific.

Save the Children would like to thank CARE, World Vision, People in Need, Plan, Oxfam, UNOCHA, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation for providing updates and data for this brief.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 2 Impact of El Niño on the region Asia and the Pacific

Mongolia: Viet Nam: 313,580 people affected, incl. 2.3 million people affected 28,290 children under 5 32.5 million people affected in 10 countries in Asia Pacific Myanmar: (not including India) 143,000 children under 5 affected by floods The Philippines: 12 million people India: estimated to be affected 330 million people affected Papua New Guinea: 1.8 million people affected

Thailand: Timor-Leste: Reservoir levels 400,000 people in reduced by 40-50% affected municipalities

Cambodia: Indonesia: Vanuatu: 2.5 million 1.2 million people in 69,000 people affected people affected need of assistance

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 3 What happens if we do not act?

WHAT HISTORY TEACHES US

El Niño in 1997-98: 23,000 deaths and 35-45 billion USD in damages globally and had devastating impacts on the region:

• It caused a 15% spike in poverty rates in some countries. • In Indonesia, 5 million people were affected by drought. • In the Philippines, 2.6 million people were affected by drought. • The Indonesian Government was forced to import 5.8 million tons of rice due to crop failures; the Philippines imported 2.2 million tons. • In Cambodia, an additional 100,000 participants were enrolled into WFP Food for Work scheme. • In Papua New Guinea, 336,000 people were food insecure. • Forest fires in Indonesia burned 5 million hectares and increased global temperatures. It cost governments in the region up to 45 billion USD. • Families and those reliant on agricultural livelihoods were forced to take negative coping mechanisms. Many had to sell livestock or migrated in search of work. • 250 million people across the region were left without shelter and possessions after La Niña flooding in 1998.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 4 What happens if we do not act?

Comparing 2015-2016 to 1997-1998

• Past El Niño events and weather forecasts for the next few months indicate the crisis will intensify in the region with millions more suffering if no action is taken.

• The current El Niño is comparable to the 1997-98 El Niño in terms of severity, but:

• unlike the 1997-98 El Niño that followed a relatively neutral year in 1996, 2014 witnessed several months of a mild El Niño;

• although the worst of the 2015-16 El Niño has passed, it has already stretched over a longer timeframe than the 1997-98 El Niño.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 5 Current Response I Overview of inter-agency activity

Food Security and Water, Hygiene and Livelihoods Sanitation

• Cash transfers to help families cope with • Distribution of WASH NFIs (PNG) reductions in income due to failed crops • Hygiene promotion training (PNG) (INO) • Water filters for HH and schools (VN) • Fodder distribution to support livestock • Providing water containers to households (T-L) (MNG) • Installing community water storage tanks • Seed packet distribution (T-L) (Vanuatu) • Awareness sessions on agricultural approaches • Installing water supply facilities, including water (T-L) pipes and wells (VN) • Food distribution, such as rice, (PNG, VN) • Mobile health clinics (VAN)

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 6 Current Response II Overview of inter-agency activity

Nutrition Health

• Nutrition assessments among children after reports on • Providing fuel to hospitals, to malnutrition (PNG) provide healthcare to herder

• Awareness raising sessions on child nutrition and diet diversity communities (MNG) (IND) • Providing psycho-social support to children (MNG) Education • Vaccination campaigns (PNG)

• Awareness raising sessions on education access, in response to negative coping strategies (IND)

• Catch-up-schooling for children of herder families (MNG)

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 7 Planned Response I Overview of inter-agency activity

Food Security and Water, Hygiene and Livelihoods Sanitation

• Cash-for-food transfers for households with • Improve hygiene knowledge and good practice children of under 5 (VN) (PNG)

• Expanding already existing cash transfer • Providing drinking water (THL)

schemes (INO) • Improving access to clean water (VN)

• Improving access to agricultural inputs to • Providing water containers (water tanks and return to crop yields to pre-PAM Cyclone filters)(VN) levels (VAN) • Water purification treatment (T-L) • Improved seed storage to improve resilience • Improving protection of water sources that are (T-L) currently unprotected and might (T-L)

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 8 Planned Response II Overview of inter-agency activity

Nutrition Health

• Provision of MNP for children (VN) • Improving access at targeted health care posts (PNG) • Nutrition programming for children (PNG) • Following increases in cases of dengue, diarrhea, • Nutrition scanning at existing health posts and foot and mouth diseases among livestock, (T-L) improve access to water (VN)

Education

• Improving school WASH facilities (CAM,T-L)

• IEC materials will be distributed (CAM)

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 9 Country Specific Overviews

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 10 Cambodia

KEY FINDINGS • El Niño induced high temperatures and low rainfall have resulted in water shortages for both human consumption and dry season crops throughout Cambodia. • 12 out of 25 provinces are severely affected. • At the end of 2015, already 93,503 families were affected by the drought in Cambodia. • The most urgent needs are WASH and FSL related. • In , the most common coping strategies are taking out loans to deal with the affects of El Niño, migrating out of Koh Kong to Thailand, and changing daily diet. SECTORS AFFECTED • The Prime Minister has issued a public call for saving water during the wet season and army forces have been deployed to deliver water to affected communities. There is generally low capacity to respond to the crisis at local government level. Food Security • Children are highly at risk of long-term impacts of drought (malnutrition, migration, and children left behind by migrating parents, lack of education/drop out of school to support Livelihoods families with livelihoods). Water, 2.5 million Number of children Sanitation and people affected* affected not known Hygiene *Source: Vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Nhim Vanda, on May 5th Health

APPEAL: No appeal has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 11 Cambodia Overview of the impact

FSL and Household Income WASH • Crops have been planted later with many dying as • El Niño induced drought coupled with increased seedlings due to drought with some provinces reporting temperatures of up to 40 Degree Celsius in some places 90% crop failure. Kampong Speu, and Pursat has resulted in lowered water levels. have suffered most. • The main rivers – Mekong River and Tonlé Sap – have low • In the early months of the drought in 2015, already 185,451 water levels compared to most years. hectares of agricultural land had suffered from dry • In March 2016, water shortages were being reported weather conditions. across Koh Kong and Oddar Meanchey provinces, with • The low water levels in the Mekong have decreased fish other provinces starting to report similar concerns. productivity and fertilizer availability. • Koh Kong: an assessment by NGOs showed that HH daily • Especially those living in poverty are facing food shortages. water consumption throughout March was far less than a • Farmers in some parts of the country report they have typical year. gotten into debt and have little means to repay it after the • Water scarcity has also impacted personal and family likelihood of reduced profits from crop failures. hygiene due to a lack of WASH coping mechanisms. • The worst affected groups are the hand to mouth • There is not enough water to tend to livestock, to maintain families, small scale farming families and the poorest crops, and to grow seeds. families who have no capacity to manage water storage • HHs are now forced to buy water due to water shortages. for consumption. Health • The continuing drought and heat wave have increased health concerns, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, pregnant and lactating mothers, children and elderly. • The quality of water available has decreased, e.g. due to contamination, which has been associated with an increase of communicable and water-borne diseases.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 12 Cambodia Overview of the response (current and planned)

• People in Need in partnership with Save the Children and CARE are launching a response in 20 villages in Koh Kong Province. The initial response focuses on “My family faces so many difficulties due to the water FSL and WASH interventions. shortage, especially now that I have to buy water.”

• CARE International has 42,000 USD to provide Chet, a rice farmer in district’s Russei Krork livelihoods and WASH support in Koh Kong; Ratankiri; commune, explains the impacts of the drought on his family Mondulkiri; Krachi; Prey Veng. The response is still being determined and will start as soon as possible. Summary *incomplete, need updates

Number affected: Funding Gap: • Save the Children is monitoring the situation and will be partaking in an inter-cluster assessment. The 2.5 million* TBC planned response is still being developed, but WASH will be focus point (e.g. IEC materials, WASH in Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: schools, water containers). TBC TBC

Sector needs: Sectors targeted: • World Vision are working to reach 47,028 beneficiaries with 400 metric tonnes of food in the provinces of FSL, WASH FSL, WASH Kampong Thom, and Preah Vihear.

*Source: Vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Nhim Vanda, on May 5th

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 9 May 2016 13 India

KEY FINDINGS • One in four Indians are affected by the water shortage. • More than 60% of people in 12 states (Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana and Chattisgarh) have been affected by severe drought conditions and its effects. • More than 160 people have died in 2016 from the high temperatures, this number is likely to rise if temperatures do not decline. • The loss of agriculture and water scarcity have led to. food crisis, water crisis, fodder crisis, loss of livelihood and concomitant migration • The price of sugar has increased by 18% compared to Q4 2015. SECTORS AFFECTED • The State Governments have requested Central Government support; the Central Government has pledged resources and has taken steps to address water scarcity. Food Security and Livelihoods 330 million 136 million Water, People affected Children Sanitation and affected Hygiene Education

APPEAL: An appeal has been launched for 67 million USD Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 14 India Overview of the impact

FSL WASH & Health • Around 40% of all districts were declared as drought • Water has become India’s scarcest resource. affected. • Rivers have dried up in a way not witnessed for 130 years • The situation in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh and in some places. Madhya Pradesh states of India and Marathwada Region of • Rainfall was fourteen% lower than normal in 2015, with Maharashtra State are the worst hit. In Bundelkhand and water levels in reservoirs down by 30%. Marathwada regions 80% of the people have been affected. • The Government is trying its best to provide water to the • Rainfall was twelve per cent less than normal in 2014, which most affected areas. affected food grain production by ten million tons. • More than 160 people have died in 2016 from the high • Loss of agriculture and water scarcity have led to food-, temperatures, this number is likely to rise if temperatures water- and fodder crisis, loss of livelihood and do not decline. concomitant migration. • Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of the • The small and marginal farmers, 85% of which are land heatwave, for example when engaging in farming activities, holders and the rest landless, are the worst affected. playing in the sun, fetching water or living on the streets. • Women and children are most at risk as they traditionally • Bundelkhand region, in Uttar Pradesh, is the most eat food last in the house and often undertake additional neglected and worst affected by the drought, with high activities to try and maintain the household income. scores of malnutrition and low birth weight.

Education • In April, schools have been closed due to the heatwave in a number of provinces, including Orissa and Telangana

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 15 India Overview of the response (current and planned)

• The Central Government has pledged resources • World Vision are working to provide Food Security, WASH, and water is being delivered (e.g. a train with 2.5 Livelihood/ Cash, Livestock support to 183,119 households million litres water to the area of Latur). (806,973 people) in seven Area Development Program However, this will not completely meet the needs locations in the drought hit districts in seven States including of those suffering and in need of urgent water Utter Pradesh, Andhara Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka, supplies. Madhaya Pradesh, Odisha and Telengana. They have raised USD 861,119 of the 3 million USD they require to meet the needs assessed. • Save the Children India is currently focusing on the three states: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telanga. The immediate response targets Summary *incomplete, need updates marginalized farming communities, daily wages Number affected: Funding Gap: earners, and children in both urban and rural areas. It will include cash transfers, installation of TBC TBC sun shades, ORS distribution, drinking water Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: supply, water purification sachets. A long term TBC TBC oriented activity will be the initiation of water and soil conservation plans in coordination with Sector needs: Sectors targeted: Local Self Governance Units. FSL, WASH, Health FSL, (incl. cash),WASH, Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 16 Indonesia

KEY FINDINGS • The south and southeast regions, including South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Java, Bali and Nusa Tengara Timor (NTT) have been most impacted by the drought. • 22 million have been affected, namely those who rely on agriculture with 1.2 million people in need of assistance (roughly 720,000 are children). • In September 2015, the Government declared a state of emergency in several regions due to water shortages, low crop production and forest fires. • Due to severe drought, crops were planted 6-8 weeks later than normal, which has resulted in low production of staples for the year. This will have significant impacts on food security and on the poorest families whose income relies on agriculture. SECTORS AFFECTED • Forecasts show rainfall is likely to remain significantly lower until the end of May. Coupled with the likelihood of a strong La Niña, this will stretch the most affected people Food Security even further. If rainfall remains low, health, nutrition and WASH needs may rapidly and increase. Livelihoods Water, 1.2 million people 720,000 children Sanitation and need assistance need assistance Hygiene Education APPEAL: No appeal has been launched Nutrition & Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 17 Indonesia Overview of the impact

Food Security WASH (water shortages) • The drought has resulted in major delays of 6-8 weeks in • The drought and delay in seasonal rains has been felt most planting of the main season crops (e.g. rice, maize), delaying keenly in NTT and Papua provinces, where the harvest and leading to lower crop productions. This has resulted Government has provided some additional rice stocks, in price increases over the past 12 months (rice prices 20% drinking water supply, and agriculture support, including higher than normal, maize by 30%, beans by 50%, meat by 25%). cash payments to affected farmers. • Food insecurity: second and third highest rates are in Kupang: • In NTT, the main source of drinking water is from hand-dug 41% of households are extremely or moderately food wells and/or springs. Due to the dry conditions, 60% of the insecure, followed by 38% in TTS. These households should be assessed villages reported water scarcity on a household prioritized for assistance to prevent irreversible coping level, with reports of increased water borne diseases incl. behaviours and the consequences of extremely poor diets. diarrhoea, skin disease, and fevers.

Household Income and Expenditure • According to survey undertaken by agencies working in the area, as much as 80% of assessed households in the worst affected provinces reported a reduction in income due to the drought. This reduction is likely to negatively impact debt levels, which were found to be more than 1 million IDR per household. • There is a rise in negative coping strategies, most notably: unseasonal sale of livestock, abnormal labour migration, reducing education expenses and increasing school dropout risks, eating less preferred food, borrowing food or buying on credit, limiting portion sizes, and reducing the number of meals eaten in a day. • Severe food-based negative coping strategies have resulted in concerning FCS (with below acceptable FCS for 49% of assessed population, and 39% at a critical level). • Given the reduced harvests and financial strain, the nutritional status of children is a serious concern; especially considering the high levels of stunting in the worst hit provinces prior to El Niño.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 18 Indonesia Overview of the response (current and planned)

• CARE International will provide cash and agricultural • Save the Children is one month into an El Niño response initially in-kind (seeds, vines etc.) transfers, food security and focusing on NTT. This is primarily cash transfers to vulnerable water interventions to 2500 households (15,000 persons) households accompanied by awareness-raising sessions on infant and in two districts of NTT province. They estimate funding young child feeding, child rights to education and protection, as well as needs of 1,500.000 USD to respond to the El Niño positive parenting skills. Save the Children will also undertake advocacy impacts. work at district and provincial government levels to ensure the impact of El Niño is acknowledged and action is taken to mitigate current and future slow onset disasters. • Oxfam plan to provide FSL and WASH support to 5458 people directly and 1,306,768 people indirectly over eight • World Vision (as part of the START network) plan to help 197,157 months in four districts of East Nusa Tenggara Province. They need 200,000 USD for these interventions. Oxfam people from 13 sub-districts in five districts located in Timor Island of are already working with national and local government NTT Province with cash transfers over 45 days in East Sumba. and stakeholders to get them to engage in the response and to also develop better response models and preparedness measures for recurring La Niña and future Summary *incomplete, need updates El Niño events. Number affected: Funding Gap: TBC TBC • Plan International’s current response focuses on providing water tanks and clean water, hygiene promotion Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: and DRR awareness for sub-districts and districts. The response has an initial period of 45 days and targets two TBC TBC districts in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Nagekeo and TSS. Plan is engaged with the HCT and other START Sector needs: Sectors targeted: agencies. FSL, WASH, Education, FSL, WASH, Education, Health, Nutrition Health, Nutrition

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 19 Mongolia

KEY FINDINGS • Mongolia is in the list of high-priority countries for early action related to El Niño (according to FAO). • 50 districts in16 provinces are experiencing dzud conditions which refers to a summer drought followed by a severe winter. Another 120 districts in 20 provinces are experiencing near-dzud conditions. • The severity of the current dzud in Mongolia is thought to be linked to the El Niño effect. • A total of 313,580 people, incl. 28,290 children under five years old, has been affected. • 20% of the country still had snow cover in early spring and conditions remain unseasonably cold. SECTORS AFFECTED • Experience of past dzuds suggests that the number of animal deaths may increase to as high as 1.2 million during spring. Food Security and Livelihoods 313,580 28,290 People affected Children under 5 affected

APPEAL: an appeal for 14.3 million has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 20 Mongolia Overview of the impact

Food Security and Household Income • A total of 313,580 people, including 28,290 children under five years old, has been affected. • 41% of Mongolia’s total herder population (225,788 people) has been affected by the harsh winter of 2015/2016; especially 11,800 households with less than 100 animals are considered most vulnerable. • Around 860,000 livestock have died as a result of harsh conditions since January 2016. What is more, in the eastern provinces of Mongolia, over 4000 animals have been slaughtered due to an outbreak of sheep pox, which is likely to spread further. • Herders are currently suffering from a lack of access to basic services, food insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and psychological trauma. Many lack cash or income and debt levels are rising. Photo credit: Tansagmaa Tsog/Save the Children • Loss of livestock has especially affected children, as the herd is the main source of animal milk, animal Five-year-old Enkhnyam, who Save the Children is supporting, fur to keep them warm, and income, which ensures clutching one of his family’s baby goats, who has managed to access to education and healthcare. survive despite the brutal dzud in Mongolia.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 21 Mongolia Overview of the response (current and planned)

• The HCT is supporting the Government of Mongolia • Save the Children has been executing a response in Mongolia with and NEMA in particular with the dzud response. The START funding, since mid March. It has provided unconditional cash HCT is seeking 14.3 million USD to provide immediate transfers to 550 extremely vulnerable herder families and fodder assistance over the next six months in food security, distributions to approximately 625 affected households. In addition, 7 nutrition, protection, agriculture, livelihoods and early hospitals have received fuel support to sustain their health care recovery. 6.36 million USD has so far been secured by provision to herder communities in the region. Save the Children will the international community to complement the be targeting a total of 15,5000 beneficiaries. Together with World Government’s efforts. Vision, Save the Children has been coordinating food distributions. • 2.4 million USD has been allocated to the response through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This response is divided in four project: UNDP providing cash for early recovery, FAO providing animal feed Summary *incomplete, need updates packages for agriculture, UNFPA providing health Number affected: Funding Gap: packages for pregnant women, and UNICEF covering 313,580 TBC food security and micronutrients. • World Vision have received USD 609,771 of CERF Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: funding via UNICEF to distribute food rations for two TBC TBC months to 5190 households (20,760 people) in six provinces including Zavkhan, Uvs, Bayankhongor, Sector needs: Sectors targeted: Arkhangai, Dundgobi and Sukhbaatar. They also received USD 129,931 in START funding to provide food for two FSL FSL months to 2200 people in 550 households in four provinces including Khuvsgul, Bulgan, Tuv and Khentii.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 22 Myanmar

KEY FINDINGS

• Cyclone Komen hit Myanmar in July 2015 causing extensive flooding to agricultural land. • 143,000 children under 5 were affected by the floods. • Over the last few months, Myanmar has experienced extremely high temperatures, which pose severe problems for people, including unusual rainfall patters, acute water shortage and diseases.

SECTORS AFFECTED

Food Security and Livelihoods Not known Not known Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Health APPEAL: No appeal has been launched Nutrition

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 23 Myanmar Overview of the impact

FSL and WASH Health and Nutrition • After Cyclone Komen, most of the country • The flooding lead to losses of livestock and fish, leading to a reduction in recovered well, but farmers and communities in animal protein intake in the most affected areas. Reduced availability of food remote areas, particularly Chin and Rakhine, were and increases in price have made it harder for the poorest families to access less able to recover. Rakhine requested funds from nutritious food. the central government for water supplies, but due • More than 1 in 3 children under 5 years old are too short for their age and to the current transition to a new government one in thirteen are too thin for their age. Evidence also shows flood-affected funds are unlikely to be delivered. children are at higher risk of stunting a year later, and wasting within few • 15 districts are at risk of having significantly months after the flood. Malnutrition has a long term impact on the health of reduced water reserves. children, as this could affect the long term development of children, as • Farming households and communities in these areas well as their capacity to engage in learning. face severe food shortages and require • There is limited evidence available, but findings from the Crop and Food immediate relief assistance as they did not recover Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) study demonstrate a ‘moderate as fully as in less remote areas. deterioration of the children’s nutritional status and limited change in • Rice prices are around 37% higher than last breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices due to flooding’. year (as of February 2016). Repeated episodes of wasting can lead to stunting in children and so action towards nutrition resilience in already vulnerable children should be • Farmers in the most affected areas also require prioritized. seeds, storage containers for seeds, drying nets, post-harvest equipment, replacement livestock, • Any cash or vouchers would be most successful with incorporated fishing gear and boats. nutrition education and counselling to care-givers, in addition to provision of blended food. • Cash and/or vouchers and rebuilding/ reconstruction of assets and infrastructures would • There is also need to closely monitor the food situation in pocket areas, provide the best form of relief to reach those most particularly in Rakhine and Chin, where food assistance may be required. severely affected.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 24 Myanmar Overview of the response (current and planned)

• The Government of Myanmar is currently the lead for the monitoring and the assistance for water shortages Summary *incomplete, need updates in most of the areas. Cluster coordination is with the government is decentralised. In addition, Myanmar is Number affected: Funding Gap: currently in a state of transition to a new government Not known Not known and therefore, government capacity is uncertain. This means there is very little centralized support with little known about when support will finally be available. Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: Not known Not known • Save the Children is monitoring the situation Sector needs: Sectors targeted: concerning water shortages in our main areas of intervention. In the past, Save the Children has provided FSL, WASH, Nutrition, N.A. cash assistance for recovery in two states, Chin and Health Magway. Although short term results were achieved, more assistance is required to long term impact.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 25 Papua New Guinea

KEY FINDINGS • 85% of all provinces likely to experience drought by the end of April 2016. • 1.5 million people have been affected by frost or drought, of which 180,000 require immediate food relief. • Food prices are reported to be increasing in some markets. • Most urgent needs are food and nutrition. In addition, needs in agricultural recovery, WASH, health and early recovery sectors require response.

SECTORS AFFECTED

Food Security and Livelihoods 1,473,000 Number of children People affected affected not known Nutrition

APPEAL: an appeal for 37 million has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 26 Papua New Guinea Overview of the impact

FSL and Nutrition • Since April 2015, a combination of frost in high altitude locations, drought, and flooding caused by heavy rains has led to severe loss of crops. • Despite slight improvements in water supply in some areas of the country due to late January rains, various locations still face severe food and water insecurity. These include Western Province, high-altitude locations in Enga and Hela Provinces, and Milne Bay Province. • Food security of approximately 1.5 million people has been affected, with extreme food shortages faced by 180,000 people, who require urgent assistance (located in the aforementioned provinces). • Since the beginning of January, reports indicated a worsening of food security, including reports about extremely malnourished children in Western Province. • There are strong indications that malnutrition rates in extremely food insecure Local Level Government Areas have increased beyond pre-El Niño rates of 14 per cent Global Acute Malnutrition, due to the food security resulting from El Niño.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 27 Papua New Guinea Overview of the response (current and planned)

• The CERF has allocated over 4.75 million USD to • The Government of Papua New Guinea started food relief in food and nutrition interventions. September 2015, but food relief and other coping mechanism were depleted by the end of 2015. • CARE International has reached 19,918 households (99,590 individuals) (aiming to reach • The El Niño Response Plan for Papua New Guinea focuses on 125,000 individuals in total) since the end of January critical needs in food assistance, nutrition, health, WASH, agricultural 2016, located in Morobe, Eastern and Western recovery and early recovery. 1.473 million people are targeted, Highlands, Chimbu, Enga, and Gulf. including 180,000 people in need of food relief and 210,000 in need of The response has included nutrition assessment support in agricultural recovery. The response is 37.57 million USD, but of children, a vaccination top-up campaign, hygiene only 23% of the appeal has been funded so far. promotion training for community members and the distribution of WASH NFIs and food. The planned response will focus on improving access to safe drinking water and good hygiene knowledge and practice, improving food security for Summary *incomplete, need updates affected households, improving access to agricultural Number affected: Funding Gap: inputs, improving access to health care, and building monitoring and evaluation capacity. Funding status is TBC TBC currently at 1.6 million USD with funding needs at 2 million USD. Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: TBC TBC • World Vision has been responding to the crisis in Papua New Guinea, targeting WASH and FSL. In Sector needs: Sectors targeted: addition, it has focused on DRR programmes and FSL, Nutrition FSL, Nutrition the distribution of NFIs. Locations where World Vision is active are the Highlands, Hela Province, Morobe and Madang provinces, and Usino Bundi District. Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 28 The Philippines

KEY FINDINGS • The Philippines has experienced significantly below-average rainfall in most parts of the country. • Around 42% of the country experienced drought in 2016, which started in January. Roughly 68 out of 81 provinces have been affected. • The drought has already damaged farms, fisheries and forests and is expected to continue throughout April and May. • The impact was most strongly felt in Mindanao where 15 provinces were affected. The two worst affected provinces were in the Visayas (Negros Oriental and Siquijor) and one in Luzon (Palawan). SECTORS AFFECTED • The Government declared a state of emergency in many locations, including Zamboanga, due to the drought. Food Security and Livelihoods 3.5 million Number of children Water, People affected affected unknown Sanitation and Hygiene

APPEAL: no appeal has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 29 The Philippines Overview of the impact

FSL WASH (water shortages) • While Typhoons Koppu (October) and Melor (December) and the • Due to the recent drought, there is less drinking northeast monsoon brought some respite, The Government has water available. estimated 3.5 million people have so far been affected by El • There are reports of increased prevalence in Niño mainly those relying on agriculture as a primary source of communicable diseases. livelihood, will be affected. • El Niño induced typhoons have caused 83.7 million USD worth of total damage and production losses in crops. • Even before El Niño hit, small scale farmers were already suffering poor crop production. The impacts of El Niño have pushed them WFP Assessment in Maguindanao further into debt. and Lanao del Sur provinces: • Region XII of the Philippines accounts for over 40% of the country’s food requirements. According to FAO, it also contributes 30% to • 24.9% of households has national food trade. Farmers in the region produce staple crops (incl. rice and corn) and cultivate large plantations of cash crops (bananas inadequate food consumption and pineapples), but 304,104 metric tons of crops have been lost. • 33.1% eats fewer than three • Livelihoods reliant on fishing are also threatened: the Bureau of meals a day Fisheries and Aquatic Resources estimate the rise in sea temperatures • 48.9% adopts emergency may reduce the volume of fish caught in open sea by 20%, and coping strategies in municipal water by 23%. (2016) • 101.553 affected farming households need support to restart farming activities in the next cropping season. At least 80% are from Mindanao.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 30 The Philippines Overview of the response (current and planned)

• Oxfam has launched a response in the Philippines, • Save the Children are monitoring the situation and are targeting 32,000 families. The response has focused on already running livelihoods projects in Maguindanao and food security and livelihoods. The food security response Nueva Ecija. includes cash aid, rice, promotion of market-based approaches to food aid, mapping of duration of food needs. In terms of vulnerable livelihoods, the response • The Philippines Government plans to import around will support local vendors and small-businesses, provide 800,000 tons of rice to ensure food security in the country. livelihood starter / capital support, construction of Small • OCHA are convening a meeting with concerned Heads of Water Impounding Project or Small Farm Reservoir in Agencies and cluster/sector coordinators to discuss key preparation of the rainy season, debt recovery plans, and strategic issues on emergency response preparedness for El promoting gender sensitivity in all of these activities. Niño, particularly the coordination and management Oxfam is currently raising 1 million GBP in funds to start arrangements. the response that will primarily focus on support families access food, water and other non-food needs through market based interventions including cash grants and vouchers. Summary *incomplete, need updates Number affected: Funding Gap: TBC TBC • Plan are closely monitoring and coordinating the situation with humanitarian partners, and maintain readiness to Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: respond if needed. TBC TBC

• World Vision are monitoring the situation and response Sector needs: Sectors targeted: plans are still to be determined. World Vision have FSL, WASH FSL, WASH programs running covering 18 municipalities in South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, West Misamis and Bukidnon. Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 31 Thailand

KEY FINDINGS

• The Central and Northeast parts have been impacted the most by El Niño. • A severe drought has caused severe depletion of natural water resources in several regions of the country. • Water scarcity is the main recorded impact on people living in the most affected areas. • Some communities have been forced to find subterranean water sources or to buy water from merchants. • The Thai Government have not declared a state of emergency but have put some SECTORS AFFECTED preventative measure in place to manage the water scarcity. Food Security and Livelihoods Number of Number of affected Water, affected people children not known Sanitation and not known Hygiene

APPEAL: no appeal has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 32 Thailand Overview of the impact

WASH (water shortages) Food Security & Household Income • Before 2015 El Niño hit, Thailand was already suffering • Many provinces have been forced to make an from depleted water resources from reduced rainfall in announcement forbidding residents from blocking, damming 2014. Reservoir water levels were down by 30 to 40% or shutting of water supplies for personal use. The resulting in the loss 800,000 million tons of rice in 2014. announcement also forbids pumping water for use in off- Reservoir levels in late September 2015 were critically season (dry season) rice farming, because such action low, 40 to 50% less than 2014’s drought affected levels. could further deplete water supplies that are required for tap water production. • Many districts are now badly affected by water shortages • Water scarcity can have further negative impacts on for daily consumption and residents have been forced to agriculture in affected areas. As water becomes scarce, drill artesian wells to get to subterranean water sources water prices go up triggering increases in the cost of living. while others have no choice but to buy water from • Rice prices have increased by 5% from the same time merchants., last year.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 33 Thailand Overview of the response (current and planned)

• The Government of Thailand has coordinated with the Royal Thai Army and the Irrigation Department to Summary *incomplete, need updates carry out massive dredging of sediment in waterways Number affected: Funding Gap: and locating new, and expanding existing, natural water TBC TBC sources. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has ordered water supplies to be transported Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: to affected villages to supplement people daily needs. TBC TBC

• Save the Children has no response plans as yet, but Sector needs: Sectors targeted: are monitoring the situation. WASH WASH

• Plan is following the situation in Thailand but are not planning to respond at this stage.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 34 Timor-Leste

KEY FINDINGS

• 400,000 people have been affected. • In the five worst affected municipalities, 120,000 people are severely affected by late and reduced rainfall since October 2015. • Close to 46% of all households will be facing food insecurity the upcoming months. • Quantities of drinking water and water for household use have been reduced.

SECTORS AFFECTED

Food Security and Livelihoods 400,000 Number of affected Water, People affected children is not known Sanitation and Hygiene Health APPEAL: an appeal for 25 million has been launched

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 35 Timor-Leste Overview of the impact

FSL WASH & Health • Although Timor-Leste is largely affected by El Niño, its impact • Availability of clean drinking water, of water for has varied among the different regions. Some regions have household use and water in schools has been limited. seen 68% less rain from October 2015 to January 2016, • There is a lack of clean protected water sources, which in compared to the year before. turn has led to increased diarrhoea cases. • Highly reduced rainfall has delayed or stressed crop planting, significantly reduced yield (or even no yield at all), reduced water access and reduced food availability. • According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 45.9% of households are likely to suffer from food insecurity Nutrition from April to June 2016. • El Niño is likely to elevate malnutrition in Timor-Leste • Problems that have been identified are reductions in number of meals, restricted diets, disruption of normal food sources, and insufficient food stock at the household level.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 36 Timor-Leste Overview of the response (current and planned)

• CARE International will be targeting 90,000 • An Emergency Response Plan has been prepared by the UN beneficiaries in five districts/provinces (Ermera, Resident Coordinator Office with the Government. Most Covalima, Dili, Liquica, Viqueque). The planned activities urgent sectors are WASH, food, nutrition, health, livelihoods and include community awareness sessions, covering education. agricultural approaches, nutrition and food and water conservation. It will also include the distribution of seed packets and support the Government distributing seeds, • Government of Timor-Leste: 9,000 tons of rice will be water filters, household storage containers, installation distributed throughout the country in an effort led by the of water ponds and community water storage tanks. Ministry of Interior CARE have raised 200,000 USD out of 1 million USD funding needs to provide this support, leaving a gap of 8000 k USD. Summary *incomplete, need updates Number affected: Funding Gap: • Plan has an ongoing response in the Lautem TBC TBC municipality, which focuses on WASH and DRR. Over a period of six months, Plan aims to reach 2,749 households in 29 villages. Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: TBC TBC • World Vision aim to target 20,000 people in Aileu, Bononaro, Baucau, Covalima districts with health, Sector needs: Sectors targeted: livelihoods and DRR support. They also plan to continue WASH, FSL, Nutrition, WASH, FSL, Nutrition, undertaking assessments of affected communities. The Health Health response requires at least 86,000 USD.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 37 Vanuatu

KEY FINDINGS • Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in March 2015 and caused considerable damage. Over 180,000 people (50% of Vanuatu’s population) were affected by the cyclone in five provinces. • The damage caused by the Cyclone has been exacerbated by drought and heatwaves across the country. • Forecasters predict the worst of the drought is over but its impacts, such as crop failure and food insecurity, are likely to still be felt for much longer. • There are reports in the media that at least two children under five have died of illnesses linked to malnutrition as a result of the drought. SECTORS AFFECTED

Food Security and Livelihoods 69,000 Number of children Water, People affected affected not known Sanitation and Hygiene Education APPEAL: no appeal has been launched Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 38 Vanuatu Overview of the impact

FSL WASH • The impacts of Cyclone Pam (a Category five storm • Cyclone Pam destroyed some water reserves infrastructure, which hit in March 2015) coupled with the more recent which has been further damaged as they have been unable reduced rainfall, drought and very high temperatures has to recollect water as a result of reduced rainfall. led to food shortages as well as significantly lowered • Many people now have to travel long distances for water levels after low rainfall during July, August and drinking water. Women and children are often the ones September in Vanuatu. who collect the water leaving them at risk. • Crops in South Vanuatu never recovered from the • Without a wet season arriving the upcoming months, water impacts of the cyclone and have been further damaged supplies for communities will be not be replenished by the drought and dry weather. until at the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017, when • A lot of households rely on food grown in their gardens the next wet season is supposed to arrive. and there are reports that people are starting to feel panicked about not having enough food. Health & Nutrition • There are reports of very young children dying of malnutrition related illnesses caused by the recent drought. • In North Tanna, there are reports that children have been admitted to hospital with malnutrition. Children’s education is also at risk as children suffering from illnesses cannot attend school. There have also been reports of children fainting during school hours and suffering from dehydration.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 39 Vanuatu Overview of the response (current and planned)

• NGOs as well as the UN will be providing technical • The Government and humanitarian partners are planning a drought assistance when requested by the Government. response. It is coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office, supported by the clusters and humanitarian partners. • The World Health Organisation and partners have initiated a nutrition screening process, which is • Currently, emergency food deliveries are underway, to target 90,000 currently ongoing. people (covering 18,000 households, schools and health centers). The Government has also recently provided 480,000 USD in emergency • CARE International will be targeting 27,5000 funding, to cover WASH, food security and logistics needs. affected persons in Tafea Province. The response will entail community awareness sessions on a variety of topics, ranging from agricultural approaches, water conservation, nutrition and food. In addition, it will specifically target FSL and WASH Summary *incomplete, need updates sectors, through distribution of seed packets and Number affected: Funding Gap: WASH NFIs (including water storage containers and filters). TBC TBC

Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: • World Vision’s response will last over 12 months, working with the Government to provide WASH TBC TBC support. Sector needs: Sectors targeted: WASH, FSL, Nutrition, WASH, FSL, Nutrition, Health Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 40 Viet Nam

KEY FINDINGS • Viet Nam has been severely affected by drought and salinization in Southern Central, Central Highland and Mekong delta. It is forecast that this will continue until June 2016. • 14 provinces have declared a State of Emergency with a further 39 out of 63 provinces requesting support from central government to respond to the drought. • The drought has significantly affected livelihoods, food security and water supply. It has also led to schools being closed and has impacted children’s nutrition with reports of families in some provinces now eating 1-2 meals a day. • The Government of Viet Nam has categorized this drought at Category 2 or Category 3. SECTORS AFFECTED

Food Security and Livelihoods 2.3 million 1,022,400 Water, People affected Children affected Sanitation and Hygiene Education APPEAL: an appeal for 48.5 million has been launched Health

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 41 Viet Nam Overview of the impact

WASH (water scarcity) FSL and Household Income • Since the end of 2014, El Niño has affected Viet Nam with • UN assessments found raised concerns in terms of water what is believed to be the worst drought over nearly a scarcity linked to food security with around 226,094 century in the country. The drought has caused saline (salt) hectares of productive land affected throughout Viet Nam intrusion in the Mekong Delta and affecting aquifers and a further 352,832 hectares at risk if the drought (underground water sources), which usually supports the continues through to June. Agricultural yield is reduced by domestic water demand. Medium and big reservoirs have also up to 70% in some areas. Increasing numbers of foot and reached low capacities on average; some reservoirs are at 60 mouth disease among livestock are also being reported. to 70% of their full design capacity. There are also risks of forest fires in the Mekong Region.

• There is an urgent need to provide drinking water to over • Around 1.75 million people have had their income 1.9 million people and to improve households’ access to significantly affected due to the agricultural impact of the water. Also health care facilities are in in urgent need of clean drought. This includes not only severe loss of crops, but water (commune health stations in particular). also loss of livestock.

• There are a rising number of cases of dengue (from 0 to • Food shortages in two provinces in particular (Gia Lai and 66 case), diarrhoea (1,226 in 2015 to 2,277 in 2016), and Ninh Thuan) need to be addressed now to ensure that dysentery. Explaining factors are limited access to clean destitute families survive until the drought impact subsides. water, and poor sanitation and hygiene practices (open defecation). • Rice prices have increased by 10% from the same time last year.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 42 Viet Nam Overview of the response (current and planned)

• On 22nd March 2016, The People’s Aid Coordinating • World Vision’s response has focused on WASH and FSL. More Committee sent an appeal for emergency relief in specifically, it included the provision of families most in need with small- terms of FSL and WASH support. scale water supply facilities (water tanks, water pipes, digging wells). In • From 22nd to 24th March 2016, a joint assessment addition, it has promoted child-focused DRR-CCA, such as raising coordinated by UN agencies was conducted in five awareness on climate change and disaster risks, measures for mitigation selected provinces. and adaptation for teachers, children and communities, and enhancing skills and capacity (such as ‘search and rescue’ and first aid). • Save the Children launched its first emergency • response with 80,000 USD, supporting 1,600 The Government has implemented some preventative measures, but households (about 8,000 people, including more they do not reach all those affected. The Ministry of Agriculture and than 4,000 children) in terms of WASH, food Rural Development has mobilized different resources to respond to security and nutrition in two communes of Ayun and the drought, including water trucking and repair/upgrading of irrigation Hbong in Chu Se district. The second response systems and reservoirs. The Government has also committed 2,000 planned will target 6972 people affected and include tons of rice to address the food shortage in Central Highland. the provision of water filters and rehabilitation of water sources, clean water access in schools, improving WASH facilities in schools, hygiene Summary *incomplete, need updates promotion campaigns. It will also cover livelihood Number affected: Funding Gap: support, the provision and promotion of the use of nutritious food, and psychological support for TBC TBC children. The total response target is 1.5 million USD. Number of beneficiaries targeted: Funding status: • CARE International will focus on Soc Trang TBC TBC province, likely targeting 11,000 individuals. The response will revolve around WASH activities, Sector needs: Sectors targeted: including the provision of drinking water, safe water WASH, FSL, Nutrition, WASH, FSL, Nutrition, for daily use, and containing rising cases of Health Health diseases. Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 43 Other countries affected by El Niño Overview of interagency activity

There have been reports of impacts from El Niño from other countries in the region:

The Liaoning province of China witnessed, the lowest rainfall levels since 1951 which left more than 230,000 people without drinking water. Since June 2015,

Nepal has seen extreme drought, leading to a drop in summer crop production and a drop in the winter harvest (in May 2016) is expected too.

As predicted, the middle of November 2015 witnessed extreme rainfall that caused severe flooding in northern Sri Lanka experience severe flooding in the North after extreme rainfall in November. World Vision are monitoring the situation in Sri Lanka and are planning to provide support should it be needed in food security and preparedness.

In parts the Lao People’s Democratic Republic excessively dry and hot conditions mean farmers have left fields and rice paddies unplanted.

In Fiji, the Government sent hundreds of thousands of liters of water to parts of the Western Division, including the outer islands.

In the Solomon Islands around 302,400 people have been affected by water shortages and low crop production. World Vision are planning to support 9,762 people in 16 communities in Central Province and 10 communities in East Malaita with WASH and food security interventions. In Malaysia, there were reports that 250 schools were closed at the beginning of April 2016 due to heatwaves after temperatures reached 37◦C.

Asia-Pacific Regional Overview - El Niño 4 May 2016 44