Emergency and Humanitarian Action South East Asia Region – World Health Organization
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Emergency and Humanitarian Action South East Asia Region – World Health Organization Highlights No.2 15 May to 15 June 2004 Note: The first three event summaries are due to the same cyclone from the Bay of Bengal and hit land in Myanmar Bangladesh As of May 25 2004 Event : Ferry Accident s The cyclone in the Bay of Bengal induced pre-monsoon rains and twisters causing strong river flows and persistent rains. On the early morning of Sunday, 23 May 2004, two double deck passenger launches carrying more than 250 passengers on board capsized on the estuary of Meghna river near Chandpur district, 169 kilometers east of Dhaka. Official death toll from this ferry disaster is 84 which includes 52 men, 22 women and 10 children. Unofficial sources claim that over 70 persons are still missing from this launch disaster. Munshiganj Two other ferry boats (without any passenger on board) were also Meghna River Meghna Chandpur capsized at Aricha on the Padma river approximately 60 km off Dhaka Riv er Pa dma city, and another passenger launch was also drowned in Barisal district, unofficial reports claim 20 people remain missing. Search and rescue and recovery of bodies became very difficult due to inclement weather. M e g Action: h n a The Emergency and Humanitarian Action programme of WHO was in R i v e close contact with the district health authority of Chandpur and Barisal r district for any requests of assistance. Sariatpur ð ð Double-decker launch disaster at Chandpur From a report by Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik, Technical Officer, Source : EHA-WHO Bangladesh EHA, WHO Bangladesh Myanmar As of 2 June 2004 Event : Cyclone The cyclone was originally forecast to hit northeastern India and the western coast of Bangladesh, but changed direction towards Myanmar in the east and hit land in the coastal township of Rakhine, Myanmar in the last week of May. The cyclone left more than 140 people dead and 18,000 others homeless. The storm, reportedly the worst to hit the area since 1968, had winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) and came from the Bay of Bengal into the area near Myanmar’s eastern border with Bangladesh. “Myebon (a coastal town) is the worst affected area, with 99 percent of all reported casualties. The storm reportedly caused tidal surges and flooding in the towns of Pauktaw, Myebon, Sittwe and Kyaukpyu in Rakhine. Thousands of homes, many built from bamboo, as well as power lines and livestock were destroyed. At sea, at least 84 ships were lost, including an ocean liner. Myanmar has requested for 200 metric tons of rice, 4,000 tarpaulin sheets, 18,000 blankets, as well as medical supplies and clothes, worth US$220,000. Action: The initial response of the UN provided US$175,000, including contributions from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Development Program (UNDP). The WHO Office in Yangoon and the EHA focal point were working closely with the MOH for any needs and requests from assessments to supplies and logistics other UN Agncies were coordinating with the Ministry of Social Service and Welfare Source: Center of Excellence For Disaster Management and From a reports by Dr Myo Paing, EHA Focal Point, WHO Humanitarian Action, Hawaii, USA Maynmar and Dr Stephan Paul Jost, Acting WR, Center of At http://www.pdmin.coe-dmha.org/apdr Excellence For Disaster Management and Humanitarian Action, Hawaii, USA Thailand As of 27 May 2004 Event : Flash Floods due to Cyclone Flash flooding occurred in the Tak’s Mae Ramat District in Mae Hong Son province (please refer to the Map). The floods left 6 dead, injured 118, with a total of 8846 people in 13 villages were affected. Damage was estimated at 367 million Baht. 177 houses were destroyed, with 164 damaged. 62 reservoirs were damaged and thousands of acres of farmland under floodwater. Some details of the event: Residents did not heed a weather alert and warning Many residents were trapped in their homes, and waited to be rescued. Electricity was cut off after many power poles went down. Landslides blocked traffic on two highways to Tak's Tha Song Yang district and Mae Hong Son's Mae Sariang district. Specific Problems in the Camps: access roads already in bad condition were severely damaged; unpassable in the next five months road to the hospital in the camps is impassable as well as two other roads health clinic by the river bank can face severe damage in future rains and floods Action Response: Local government authorities immediately dispatched dinghies to assist the victims. An operations centre was set-up to Source : Thailand Tourism Website take care of the victims, many of whom were evacuated. Affected area is Mae Song Hon encircled Military and civilian officials also assisted in distributing relief in red items such as food. Assistance from the Ministry of Interior was also requested. The government has declared in the media that The Health NGO- Malteser in the Camp provided sacks for sandbags to protect the health facilities. Further contingency planning were arranged with UN agencies and other NGOs. WHO continues to coordinate with the health NGOs in the camps and the MOH Note: Two years ago floods occurred in the same area and the WHO supported publication Health Messenger featured the event and the measures taken From a report by Dr Elisabeth Emerson, EHA and Border Health Programme Office, The Bangkok Post, The Nation and NGOS in the border area Indonesia Event : Volcanic Eruption: Mt Awu As of 10 June 2004 Mount Awu, reportedly one of the country’s most active volcanoes. on Sangihe Island in Indonesia’s northeast Sulawesi province (refer to map please) erupted on 9 June in the afternoon. Rocks were sent flying and smoke spewing some 9,900 feet (3018 meters) up into the air. Local health officials say that at least 5 people have been injured, mostly by falling rocks. The explosion was followed by smaller blasts and aftershocks. Action: Since 22 May when the volcano started showing some increased activity 20,000 villagers were evacuated to the base of the mountain to occupy government buildings in the town of Tahuna. Evacuation still continues. Event: Volcanic Eruption: Mt Bromo As of 11 June 2004 • On 8 June 2004, the volcano started spewing black smokes and hot ashes. • Minor eruptions were detected on 9 June 2004. MAP 1 Location of MT AWU in Sulawesi Source Source: Center of Excellence For • The seismograph did not record preliminary quakes from Disaster Management and Humanitarian Mount Bromo. It was a sudden eruption There was no Action, Hawaii, USA indication upon which volcanologists could make any At http://www.pdmin.coe-dmha.org/apdr predictions. • 2 Tourist were killed, as they got closer to the crater most probably by fallen rocks and covered with ashes. • 5 other Indonesians were injured. 2 men and 3 women. All of them were conscious and injuries were mainly due to fallen rocks and hot ashes. All injured cases were evacuated and admitted at the Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya were under medical treatment • People living in the neighboring towns such as Malang, Map 2a- Java –red box shows Bromo Area Lumajang, Pasuruan and Sukapura Nagadisari area were at risk and warnings have been issued • Activity of the volcano is being monitored FOR BOTH EVENTS No international support has been requested so far and there is no response taken place at the moment. The local authorities with the support form central level is able to control the situation. WHO EHA Officer is in touch with the MOH for any needs. Joint meetings are regularly conducted to prepare for any needs. Information dissemination is also a joint WHO and MOH Disaster and Emergency Programme, Indonesia activity Map2b Detail of Bromo Area From reports of : Dr Kyaw Win, EHA Technical Officer, Source: EHA-WHO Indonesia WHO Jakarta, the Center of Excellence for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Action, Hawaii, USA .