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Philippines: U.S. Continues Relief and Reconstruction Work in Yolanda-Hit Areas

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Source: Government of the United States of America
Country: Philippines, United States of America

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines, October 07, 2014 — Nearly 11 months after Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) devastated the Philippines, the U.S. government continues to partner with the Philippines on recovery and rebuilding efforts. Last week, U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Gloria D. Steele led the turnover of two school buildings at the Tacloban National Agricultural School (TNAS). The schools—containing ten of the more than 165 classrooms to be built by the U.S. government in the Philippines—are designed to withstand winds up to 360 kilometers per hour and an 8.5 earthquake.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez joined the ceremonies and thanked the American people for their on-going support. Angelica Dupa, an 8th grade student at TNAS, also expressed gratitude: “We will no longer be scared of typhoons and other calamities because the new classrooms are stronger than the ones we occupied.”

All of these continued reconstruction and recovery efforts are part of the USAID Rebuild project. Under the Rebuild project, the U.S. government is also working with Coca Cola and Procter & Gamble to reconstruct and restock 1,000 sari-sari stores. Store owners will be trained in basic store management and microcredit. Director Steele also gave assistance to the Barangay Basper Farmers Association, the TNAS General Parent-Teacher Association, the Tagpuro Women’s Seaweed Association, and the Old Kawayan Fisherfolks Association. Overall, the U.S. government’s support to the Philippines for Typhoon Yolanda recovery is estimated at $142.5 million.

“The projects we see today are born from the strong partnership between the U.S. and Philippine governments. As we work together in planting the seeds of recovery, we also direct our efforts toward ensuring that you will be stronger and better equipped to face future disasters,” Director Steele said.

Director Steele concluded her visit to the city by inspecting the ongoing construction of a USAID-funded school building with eight classrooms at the San Fernando Central School and a tuberculosis clinic at the City Health Office. She also went to Ormoc, Leyte to launch the U.S. government’s project, called “Preventing Trafficking in Persons through Sustainable Livelihood Recovery for Typhoon Affected People.” The project aims to reduce the vulnerability of typhoon-affected populations to trafficking-in-persons.


Philippines: U.S. Helps Families Near Mayon Volcano in Albay province, Philippines

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Source: Government of the United States of America
Country: Philippines, United States of America

ALBAY PROVINCE, Philippines, October 08, 2014 — The U.S. government has provided Php4.4 million to assist displaced families affected by the Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology placed Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3, which prompted the Provincial Government of Albay to evacuate more than 12,000 families living within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.

U.S. Embassy Ambassador Philip Goldberg said, "The United States stands ready to help families cope with the challenges posed by the temporary displacement.”

U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide emergency sanitation, hygiene and non-food items to families seeking temporary refuge in evacuation centers located in the municipalities of Guinobatan, Camalig and Daraga. The humanitarian assistance, which will be distributed by World Vision for USAID, will focus on improving access to safe drinking water, functioning latrines, and temporary classrooms.

Ambassador Goldberg also expressed support to Albay Governor Joey Salceda’s “zero casualty objective” and commended all the brave families that participated in an orderly and successful pre-emptive evacuation: “The U.S. government will continue to monitor the Mayon situation and work with Philippine authorities to help the affected families.”

The United States is always ready to lend a hand to the Philippines, especially during times of disaster. U.S. government disaster-assistance funding over the last ten years amounts to Php8.1 billion. Beyond immediate disaster relief, the U.S. government also supports the Philippines in strengthening the capacity of communities to mitigate, prepare for and respond to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.

Philippines: US Backs IOM Anti-Trafficking Activities in Typhoon-affected Areas of Philippines

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Source: International Organization for Migration
Country: Philippines, United States of America

Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Central Philippines almost one year ago, has led to a rising concern about human trafficking in the affected area. IOM and its partners have been tackling this problem since the week of the disaster, registering people leaving the area through Migration Outflow Desks and informing them of the dangers posed by human traffickers.

Yesterday in Tacloban their efforts received a vital boost, with the announcement by US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg that IOM will receive a new two-year grant totalling US$ 353,000, working in close cooperation with the Philippines Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the US State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP.)

The new project “*Victim-Centered Counter-Trafficking Awareness in Typhoon Haiyan Affected Areas in the Visayas*” will be implemented in Tacloban City, Ormoc and Cebu. The key objectives are to improve access to referral channels through awareness-raising activities; strengthen the capacity of service providers to identify and assist victims of trafficking; and improve direct assistance through a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Emergency Support Fund.

Ambassador Goldberg noted that IOM is a perfect partner for the Philippines government in the fight against human trafficking due to its global expertise and local presence. “Human trafficking is a global problem that requires both a global and local response,” he noted.

The Ambassador went on to praise the collaboration of local civil society, government agencies and IOM in their prompt humanitarian and anti-trafficking response in the days and months following the typhoon.

IOM Philippines Chief of Mission Marco Boasso said that IOM has been working in the field of counter-trafficking in the Philippines since 1996. As part of IOM’s migration crisis operational framework, it is a key sector in the agency’s emergency response.

In the year since Haiyan, 1,600 people affected by trafficking have received psychosocial support, while 60,000 more have been given information on legal and other services, through IOM and its partners in government and civil society, he said.

Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Secretary of the Philippines Department for Social Welfare and Development has commended IOM and the US J/TIP for their efforts in protecting the most vulnerable in Haiyan-affected areas.

For more information, please contact Romina (Beng) Sta. Clara at IOM Philippines, Email: rstaclara@iom.int, Tel: +63 927 6801202

Philippines: Close Bilateral Cooperation Before, During and After Typhoon Ruby/Hagupit Enables Faster U.S. Government Emergency Response

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Source: Government of the United States of America
Country: Philippines, United States of America

MANILA, Philippines, December 11, 2014 — The United States Embassy in Manila commends the Government of the Philippines on its extensive preparations leading up to Typhoon Ruby/Hagupit and its successful response in the wake of the storm. The United States also offers its condolences for the lives that were lost during the storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

In close coordination with the Government of the Philippines, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development’s Office for Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), will provide aid for emergency humanitarian assistance. This assistance totals $750,000 (PHP 33,408,750).

Building on a foundation of close bilateral coordination and cooperation with the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy in Manila helped track the typhoon before it made landfall, worked under the direction of our treaty ally in monitoring the storm’s trajectory and planning and preparing to respond to the storm’s aftermath as needed.

Almost immediately following the storm’s first landfall, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Pacific Command assessment teams were available to augment U.S. Embassy Manila’s capabilities to monitor the storm’s impact. These teams also coordinated with government agencies and humanitarian organizations an emergency response on the ground. As President Obama stated last year in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda, “[W]hen our friends are in trouble, America helps.”

The successful response to Ruby featured close cooperation between representatives from USAID, the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and the U.S. military, who worked with the Philippine government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct initial assessments of conditions and needs in the hardest hit areas. U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg stated that this coordination “clearly showed that the repeated humanitarian and disaster assistance training and exercises between our two countries is an important part of our relationship.”

The U.S government, through USAID, continues to work closely with the Government of the Philippines and communities in hazard-prone areas to better prepare for and respond to the effects of disasters. In Fiscal Year 2014, USAID/OFDA provided approximately $9.5 million (PHP 423,177,500) for disaster risk reduction programs in the Philippines that build community resilience and further strengthen national disaster management capacity. This includes $500,000 (PHP 22,272,500) in FY 2014 funding to the U.N. World Food Program to provide logistical support to the GPH’s Department of Social Welfare and Development to quickly deliver relief supplies to affected families during disasters such as Typhoon Ruby.

Philippines: U.S. Government Extends Post-Yolanda Education Support for Iloilo, Capiz and Bohol

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Source: Government of the United States of America
Country: Philippines, United States of America

March 20, 2015, Manila -On March 9, the U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided an additional Php63 million and school equipment for post-disaster education needs in 19 municipalities in Iloilo, Capiz and Bohol.

USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele witnessed the signing of an agreement between the mayors, school principals and Synergeia Foundation, USAID’s implementing partner for the Education Governance Effectiveness (EdGE) Project, which will help elementary public schools in the target provinces get back on track towards improving learning outcomes.

“Hugpong sa Pagbangon,” Ilonggo vernacular for “rising up together,” is the post-disaster component of EdGE that will provide community incentive grants, disaster preparedness workshops, and teaching and learning materials. Over 450 schools, 3,800 teachers and 35,000 early grade students will directly benefit from the assistance.

“USAID is your partner in building back better. In addition, this supports our broader goal of strengthening local education governance towards improving early grade reading for at least one million Filipino children,” Director Steele said.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. expressed his appreciation for the “sincerity and gesture of commitment of the American government to the Filipino people.”

EdGE seeks to improve education governance at the local level through strengthened government effectiveness, increased transparency and accountability, and increased participation of stakeholders in education policy formulation and implementation.

USAID also led the ceremonial handover of audiovisual equipment such as laptops, printers, televisions and projectors at the Dumangas Municipal Gymnasium.

Dumangas Mayor Rolando Distura remarked that the school equipment provided by the U.S. Government will improve classroom instruction and enhance the quality of education. PTA Federation President Serafin Deduro Jr. added that with the school’s inadequate resources, the teaching materials to be given by USAID will enhance students’ learning.

Overall, the U.S. Government’s support is estimated at approximately Php6.3 billion to help the people of the Philippines respond to, and recover from, the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda.

About USAID:

The United States Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Philippines: Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund, 15 July 2015

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Source: US Agency for International Development
Country: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Viet Nam

The Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund is a partnership among the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, the Asian Development Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation to help build resilience against the impacts of extreme weather events and weather-related changes that affect the urban poor in medium-sized Asian cities. The fund provides supplemental grants for investment projects, technical assistance and other support. Its total $150 million in grants is leveraging more than $1 billion in investments from public, private and municipal sources.

INCORPORATING ADAPATION MEASURES IN URBAN PLANNING

As cities in Asia grow, they become more vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change from population density, poor infrastructure and proximity to hazard-prone coastal and river areas. Targeting 25 cities in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam, the fund promotes inclusion of climate change as a key element in city planning and infrastructure development. This means considering objectives such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions and incorporating adaptation measures into city-wide and sectoral planning.

SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT BUILD RESILIENCE

According to the Asian Development Bank, roughly 55 percent of Asia’s 3.7 billion people are expected to be living in urban centers by 2030. Secondary cities, which are seeing some of the fastest population growth, are among the least prepared to tackle new climate change challenges. Projects will focus on investments in solid waste management; drainage and flood management; ecosystems strengthening and services; water management; protecting livelihoods; educating and raising awareness; enhanced surveillance, early warning systems and emergency management; health systems and services; housing and transportation systems; and low carbon, resilient development.

PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INVESTMENT PROJECTS

The Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund helps to prepare projects and receives input from the private sector so that project proposals are investment-ready. It also helps governments and civil society better use scientific and economic data at the sub-national level to assist in decision-making and support project development.

STRENGTHENING ADAPTATION KNOWLEDGE AND NETWORKS

The fund raises awareness on adaptation and resilience and promotes learning through peer networks in the selected cities. Activities encourage sharing lessons learned and instituting monitoring and evaluation systems for adaptation projects. With this network, participating cities are able to identify urban adaptation strategies, build related institutional capacity and enable multi-stakeholder engagement to implement initiatives and assess the local impacts of climate change.

PARTNERS

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, the Asian Development Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Philippines: In Disaster-Prone Philippines, Mitigating Next Crisis by Anticipating It

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Source: Voice of America
Country: Philippines, United States of America

Simone Orendain
October 14, 2015 6:59 AM

MANILA— The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, with a population spread across some 7,100 islands and about a quarter of its people living in poverty. That is why the nation routinely hosts international conferences aimed at addressing ways to mitigate the impact of disasters – wherever they may occur.

This week, ministers of the 21-member economies at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on energy resiliency are in the central city Cebu discussing ways to ensure power is up and running when disaster strikes.

And in Manila, disaster risk managers, are discussing how to address food shortages brought on by emergencies.

The World Food Program’s (WFP) Philippine Country Director Parveen Agrawal said in the Philippines keeping hunger at bay is a priority during crisis, especially when typhoons and other natural disasters hit.

“If you look at Pablo [Typhoon Bopha], if you look at before, Ondoy [Tropical Storm Ketsana], you look at other crises that have hit the country, Haiyan [super typhoon]; the first need is food to stabilize, to get lives back in order,” Agrawal told VOA in an interview on the conference sidelines.

According to the 2014 World Risk Index, the Philippines was second on the list of 171 countries most exposed to natural disasters. The South Pacific island nation Vanuatu was first.

Preparation starts with prediction

For the past four years, USAID, a United States government development assistance agency, has been giving the WFP $5 million each year for programs aimed at helping countries prepare for disasters. Some projects help predict weather events so the country can make ready ample food stocks ahead of emergencies.

There are also measures to help address the predictable logistical bottlenecks that can occur when huge numbers of people suddenly are without food.

In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, hundreds of volunteers manually assembled tens of thousands of food care packages that needed to reach more than a hundred thousand families per day across the central Philippines.

The WFP has helped fund a project for a mechanized emergency food packing system for the Philippines social welfare department. The system can prepare up to 50,000 packages in a 24-hour period, a volume that officials said would come in handy after the experience of Haiyan.

The typhoon sliced through the central Philippines with 315 kilometer per hour winds and five meter storm surges, leaving more than 7,300 people dead or missing. Days after it struck, communications and transportation links remained broken, keeping workers and food from reaching those most in need.

Following those experiences, Philippine Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman said her office has streamlined logistics and warehousing of goods for easier distribution, trained quick-response teams not in the affected areas that could mobilize immediately after disaster strikes and set up alternative communication methods. She said sharing the experiences from past disasters can help prepare for future ones.

U.S. Energy Deputy Secretary Liz Sherwood-Randall said there is also a need for governments to collaborate with the private sector, simulating disaster scenarios to help anticipate problems.

In an interview with VOA, she said countries like the Philippines should do a comprehensive assessment of their energy infrastructure so they could “identify risks and opportunities” and look at ways to mitigate power outages, or try to shorten periods when power is lost.

Philippines: World – Tropical Cyclones – ECHO Daily Map | 12/09/2016

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Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Country: China, Guam, Philippines, United States of America, Viet Nam

GUAM (USA) –TC EIGHTEEN

• Tropical Cyclone EIGHTEEN formed over the north-western Pacific Ocean approx. 50 km south of Guam (USA), on 11 September. On 12 September at 6.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 315 km west of Guam and it had max. sustained wind speed of 74 km/h (Tropical Depression).

• Over the next 24 h it is forecast to move north-west over open waters, strengthening.

Sources: GDACS, JTWC, Guam NOAA, Local Media.

USA– TC ORLENE

• TC ORLENE formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on 8 Septembe. At 9.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 1 560 km west of the western coast of Mexico and it had max. sustained wind speed of 130 km/h (Category 1 Hurricane).

• Over the next 24 h it is forecast to continue moving west over open water strengthening.

Sources: GDACS, JTWC, NOAA, Local media

VIETNAM – TC NINETEEN

• Tropical Cyclone NINETEEN formed over the South China Sea on 12 September. At 6.00 UTC of the same date its centre was located approx. 224 km south-east of Quang Ngai province and it had max. sustained wind speed of 56 km/h (Tropical Depression).

• Over the next 24 h it is forecast to move north-west strengthening. It may make landfall over the province of Quang Ngai on 12 September evening, possibly as a Tropical Storm.
Heavy rain and strong winds may affect the central and southern provinces of the country.

• Local media, as of 12 September (UTC), reported that several flights have been delayed or cancelled from Tan Son Nhat international airport due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Sources: GDACS, JTWC,NCHMF, Local media.

PHILIPPINES, CHINA – TC MERANTI

• TC MERANTI on 12 September at 6.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 775 km south-east of Batan island (Philippines) and it had max. sustained wind speed of 241 km/h (Typhoon).

• Over the next 24 h it is forecast to continue moving north-west strengthening. It may approach the northern Batanes islands and southern Taiwan over 13-14 September, possibly as a very intense Typhoon. As of 12 September (UTC), PAGASA has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal for the Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes and Babuyan group of islands. CWB Taiwan has issued an Extreme Heavy Rain and Heavy Rain Advisory for the counties of Yilan, Taitung, Pingtung and for Kaohsiung city, as of the same date.
Sources: GDACS, JTWC, CWB, PAGASA, Local media.


Philippines: U.S. gov’t commits support for development in Mindanao

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Source: Government of the Philippines
Country: Philippines, United States of America

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 30 – In account to the vibrant economic relationship of the United States (U.S) and the Republic of the Philippines, U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim conveyed the U.S. government’s wholehearted support to the country with emphasis on the commitment to Mindanao development.

Ambassador Kim had a friendly and productive meeting with Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Davao City on Monday. They discussed the extensive ‎bilateral partnership over the years as well as cooperation on counterterrorism, child protection, piracy, and economic development in Mindanao. The ambassador highlighted U.S.-Philippine partnerships in the region that strengthen the local economy and promote peace and stability.

Also, in honoring Women’s History Month, ambassador Kim highlighted the Embassy’s U.S. Agency for International Development funding for a project of training women to weave nets that stop erosion and landslides along the roadways in Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur.

The U.S. government has pledged more than P3.5 billion for dozens of projects in Mindanao over the next few years, including the Roll-on, Roll-off, or RO-RO, nautical highway. On April 30, the route will connect the cities of Davao and General Santos to Bitung in the Sulawesi Island of Indonesia. This accomplishment will help U.S. and Philippine businesses operating in Mindanao increase their exports at great savings.

The ambassador also shared a few concrete examples of the close business ties between U.S. companies and Mindanao. Demand from U.S. clients generates an estimated 40,000 well-paying BPO jobs in Mindanao. Cargill, a U.S. agricultural corporation, exports P7.5 billion worth of coconut oil every year, much of which comes from Mindanao, supporting tens of thousands of Mindanao farmers. Together with its partners Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and BASF, Cargill has trained more than 1,000 coconut farmers since 2011 on improving agricultural practices. As a result, 300 small farmers from the region have been certified to produce the world’s first Rainforest Alliance certified copra, raising their incomes by 15 percent.

Philippines: Philippines - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2017

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Source: US Agency for International Development
Country: Philippines, United States of America

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Conflict displaces approximately 360,000 people from Marawi and surrounding areas

  • USG announces $14.3 million for the Philippines, including $3 million in humanitarian assistance

  • USAID partners launch interventions to meet IDPs’ urgent humanitarian needs

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

  • Escalated fighting since May 23 between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and armed groups affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Marawi—the capital city of Lanao del Sur Province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao— has resulted in at least 45 civilian casualties and generated significant population displacement and humanitarian needs.

  • As of early September, nearly 360,000 people remained displaced from Marawi and surrounding areas, according to the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Nearly 90 percent of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are sheltering in Lanao del Sur and neighboring Lanao del Norte Province in the Northern Mindanao Region. Priority humanitarian needs of displaced populations include food, health, protection, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance, according to the GPH and relief agencies.

  • On September 5, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim announced a U.S.
    Government (USG) contribution of $14.3 million to assist conflict-affected communities in Marawi and surrounding areas. The total includes $3 million in humanitarian assistance from USAID/OFDA and $11.3 million in recovery assistance from USAID/Philippines.

  • USAID/OFDA is supporting UN and non-governmental-organization (NGO) partners to respond to displaced populations’ immediate humanitarian needs, improve the logistics capacity of the GPH, and enhance emergency response coordination.

Philippines: AFP: Marawi on the road to normalcy

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Source: Government of the Philippines
Country: Australia, China, Japan, Philippines, United States of America

MANILA, Nov. 21 -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla, Jr. assured that Marawi is on the road to normalcy with rehabilitation and clearing operations now progressing.

"We have opened nine barangays for the return of our residents there following the protocol that was established by the local government," the AFP spokesperson said during the Bangon Marawi press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.

Padilla reported, “We are also working on the clearing of 10 more barangays next week and we will turn this over to the local government and to Joint Task Force Bangon Marawi.”

Padilla said the AFP will continue to do this until all improvised explosive devices, traps, unexploded ordnance that may remain in the battle area have been found and addressed.

"The Office of Mayor Majul Gandamra and the city government of Marawi has been leading and facilitating a series of activities that helped our affected communities and brought them back to their respective barangays," Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Harold Clavite added.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), also the spokesperson for Task Force Bangon Marawi, said short-term interventions will continue in support of the early recovery needs of the affected population while waiting for the completion of Marawi's Post-Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA) and the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP).

"The post-conflict needs assessment in the remaining barangays in Marawi City shall commence soon given the AFP’s recent declaration of additional cleared barangays," Purisima underscored.

Marawi Aid Pledges

Purisima, in the same briefing, disclosed that various world leaders who attended the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila have pledged to assist in the Marawi rehabilitation.

The Japanese government committed to donating 1.5-billion yen for the maritime safety and reconstruction of Marawi and sacks of rice to the affected population.

China, on the other hand, pledged an additional 1.15-billion pesos in grants on top of the 47 heavy equipment it earlier donated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The United States also committed an amount worth US$14.3-million for Marawi rehabilitation and humanitarian purposes.

The Australian government, aside from the previous relief assistance it provided, will deliver more relief supplies amounting to 1.5-million Australian dollars.

Also, Purisima reported that the city government of Davao and Taguig provided P5-million assistance each to the local government of Marawi City.

The Joint Task Force Bangon Marawi is the clearinghouse for all Marawi-related donations.

"So kahit dumeretso ‘yung certain government, certain organization, or certain private sector group, dumeretso sila sa isang agency or sa isang local government unit, sasabihin dapat ‘yan sa Task Force because the Task Force is the accountable agencies, the accountable organization," Purisima said. (PCO-Content)

Philippines: Philippines Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2018

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Source: US Agency for International Development
Country: Philippines, United States of America

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 97,000 people return to Marawi following the end of conflict; heavilydamaged areas remain off-limits

  • IDPs and returnees lack access to adequate services, livelihoods

  • USAID/OFDA provides support to vulnerable populations in Marawi and surrounding areas

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

  • On October 23, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) announced the end of the five-month offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-affiliated armed groups in Marawi, the capital city of Lanao del Sur Province in the Philippines’ Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The GPH and relief actors are responding to continued humanitarian needs among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees. As of December 3, the GPH had registered nearly 354,000 IDPs.

  • Of the 354,000 registered IDPs, approximately 97,000 had returned to Marawi as of December 10, according to the GPH Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). However, the GPH continues to restrict returns to the most-affected barangays—the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines—due to widespread damage and destruction of homes and ongoing protection risks.

  • Lack of basic services and livelihood opportunities in Marawi continue to hinder IDP returns. In addition, relief actors report that displaced populations residing in informal sites and host communities lack sufficient access to basic services.

  • In FY 2017, USAID/OFDA provided $3 million to address the multi-sector needs of vulnerable populations in Marawi and neighboring areas, including through the provision of protection, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.

Philippines: USAID Humanitarian Assistance to the Philippines - Marawi Complex Emergency (Last Updated 12/20/17)

Philippines: U.S. Government Announces Additional Php330M in Recovery and Rehabilitation Funding for Marawi and Surrounding Areas

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Source: US Department of State
Country: Philippines, United States of America

Manila, January 9, 2018—The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has allocated an additional Php330 million ($6.6 million) to support vulnerable populations affected by the conflict in Marawi City and surrounding areas. This assistance will provide opportunities for young women and men to enhance job skills and attain livelihoods, helping stimulate the economy. These new funds will also help vulnerable populations strengthen positive engagement within their communities. This brings the total USAID contribution to recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas to over Php1 billion ($20.9 million).

“This new funding will support some of the most vulnerable populations affected by the conflict,” according to U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim. “The United States is deeply committed to supporting our friend and ally in long-term recovery efforts to ensure a brighter and more peaceful future for the people of Mindanao.”

The U.S. government, through USAID, has been a key partner with the Philippine government in the recovery, stabilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and the surrounding areas. USAID’s early assistance involved restoring access to water and distributing desks for schools where displaced students are enrolled.

USAID continues to coordinate with the Philippine government and humanitarian organizations to deliver critical relief supplies to improve conditions in evacuation centers and transitional housing. USAID is also providing health clinics in Marawi and surrounding areas with supplies and services to combat tuberculosis and support maternal, newborn, and child health needs.

To bolster the recovery, USAID will also help restore public services, like water and electricity, and will work with communities to jumpstart livelihoods, promote community dialogue, and improve health and education systems. To help fortify the area’s longer-term stabilization and rehabilitation, USAID will offer skills training and psychosocial counseling for youth, and promote community alternatives to violent extremism.

About USAID:

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Philippines: Philippines Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #2, Fiscal Year (FY) 2018

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Source: US Agency for International Development
Country: Philippines, United States of America

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nearly 159,200 people return to Marawi, while 305,600 people remain displaced
• Typhoon Tembin generates additional displacement, humanitarian need
• USAID provides $8.5 million to support conflict-affected IDPs and returnees

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

• Nearly 159,200 people have returned to areas of origin in Marawi—the capital city of Lanao del Sur Province in the Philippines’ Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—and surrounding areas following the conclusion of conflict between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and armed groups in October 2017. However, severely damaged infrastructure, limited income-generating opportunities, and insufficient public services in the city continue to hinder returns, the UN reports.

• Typhoon Tembin, known locally as Vinta, made landfall over Mindanao Island as a tropical storm on December 22, causing widespread flooding and landslides and triggering additional displacement and humanitarian need among conflict-affected populations in Marawi and surrounding areas, the GPH reports.

• To date, USAID has provided $8.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable populations in Marawi, including $6.5 million from USAID/OFDA to support the distribution of emergency relief commodities and humanitarian coordination, livelihoods, protection, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities and $2 million from USAID/FFP to facilitate the delivery of emergency food assistance for approximately 45,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees.


Philippines: USAID Humanitarian Assistance to the Philippines - Marawi Complex Emergency (Last Updated 05/03/18)

Philippines: WFP Philippines Country Brief, March 2018

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Philippines, United States of America

In Numbers

248 mt of food assistance distributed

US$6.64 m six months (April-September 2018) net funding requirements, representing 11% of total

Operational Updates

  • WFP wrapped up its on-site school feeding activities in the province of Maguindanao for the school year 2017-2018. More than 46,000 students in 138 schools benefitted from over 900 mt of rice, oil, and beans.

  • In its continued response to encourage school attendance among displaced students in Marawi,
    WFP, in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, assisted eight schools in March, providing 2,584 students with 5.3 mt of rice through school meals.

  • Through its relief operation to Marawi, WFP reached 1,143 families, or 5,715 individuals, in the two municipalities of Poona Bayabao and Lumbatan with 57.15 mt of rice. Each family received a monthly ration of 50 kg of rice.

  • For its emergency operation for families affected by Tropical Storm Tembin (locally known Vinta), 3,817 families, or 19,085 individuals, were reached by WFP for the month of March. A total of 663.25 mt of rice was distributed to 11 municipalities in Lanao del Sur.

  • On 2 March, WFP wrapped up the Operational Emergency Logistics Training in Tagaytay City. The training aimed to familiarize national and regional staff from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other partner organizations on the concept of emergency logistics at the operational level and to further create awareness on its importance. This follows Strategic Emergency Logistics Training and Practical Emergency Logistics Training.

  • On 14 March, the US Ambassador to the Philippines formally handed over the PHP 100 million (USD 2 million) government assistance, through the United States Agency for Internal Development, to WFP and the Government of the Philippines. This contribution helps WFP in reaching more families and communities affected by the Marawi conflict.

  • WFP joined the 100th Climate Outlook Forum of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). WFP linked its partners towards having deeper knowledge about PAGASA’s products and services that strengthen local climate change efforts. PAGASA also presented WFP with the 2018 Wind Vane Award for strengthening the capacity of local government units to prepare for and respond to disasters by equipping them with early warning systems, automatic weather stations, and climate information systems.

  • The Department of Health and WFP partnered in the conduct of a series of Training of Trainers on the Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition. More than 200 participants from all over the country were engaged in insightful discussions that shared knowledge and skills needed to identify and manage children with moderate acute malnutrition.

  • At the 2018 PANATA Ko sa Bayan Awards, WFP received another Salamat Po Award from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its continued support. For more than a decade, WFP has supported DSWD in providing assistance to communities affected by disasters and conflict across the country.

Philippines: U.S. Government Announces Php296.2 Million in Assistance for Women and Households Affected by Marawi Conflict

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Source: US Department of State
Country: Philippines, United States of America

Davao, June 23 — U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael Klecheski announced Php296.2 million ($5.55 million) in new assistance for humanitarian and recovery work in and around Marawi. The additional assistance will promote the role and inclusion of women in the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi as well as support ongoing humanitarian assistance work in and around the city.

This assistance, which will be delivered through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), brings the total U.S. government contribution to humanitarian and recovery work in and around Marawi to more than Php1.7 billion ($31.95 million).

During the announcement, DCM Klecheski underscored the important role that women pay in building peace and security.

Women have been disproportionately impacted by the conflict in Marawi, including by psychological trauma, reduced mobility, and diminished participation in civic activities. Php136.1 million ($2.55 million) of this new assistance will respond to the needs of displaced persons, particularly women and girls, promote the leadership of women and girls in fostering peacebuilding and alternatives to violent extremism, as well as integrate gender into recovery and rehabilitation work.

In partnership with local governments and organizations, USAID will work with diverse groups of women to promote community dialogue and encourage civic engagement. USAID will also work to counter gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, and to help displaced girls return to school.

USAID invests in gender equality and women’s empowerment to promote the rights and well-being of women and girls around the world and to foster peaceful, resilient communities that are better prepared to cope with adversity and pursue development gains.

The remaining Php160.1 ($3 million) of the newly announced humanitarian assistance will be used to restore livelihoods through training and recovery grants to help more than 7,800 displaced families as well as provide water and sanitation for more than 10,000 displaced households inside and around Marawi City.

About USAID

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and disaster assistance. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Philippines: Philippines Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #3, Fiscal Year (FY) 2018

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Source: US Agency for International Development
Country: Philippines, United States of America

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Armed clashes in June displace more than 14,000 people

  • USAID partners provide emergency food, shelter, and WASH assistance

  • USAID/OFDA contributes additional $3 million to support conflict-affected IDPs and returnees

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

  • Internally displaced person (IDP) returns to areas of origin continue, following conflict between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and armed groups that displaced more than 350,000 people from May–October 2017, according to the UN. More than 208,800 people had returned to areas of origin in Marawi—the capital city of Lanao del Sur Province in the Philippines’ Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—and surrounding areas as of May 30, the UN reports.

  • Mid-June clashes between the GPH and armed groups in Lanao del Sur’s Tubaran municipality displaced nearly 14,900 people, according to the GPH Department of Social Welfare and Development. Of the total, more than 11,300 people were sheltering with host communities, while approximately 3,500 people were sheltering at 17 evacuation shelters in Lanao del Sur as of June 22.

  • USAID/OFDA recently provided an additional $3 million to Action Against Hunger/Spain (AAH/S) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to bolster ongoing emergency protection and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities and launch early recovery livelihoods and shelter interventions in Lanao del Sur. To date, USAID has contributed $11.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable populations affected by the Marawi crisis

Philippines: Tropical cyclones Florence and Mangkhut pose threats

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Source: World Meteorological Organization
Country: China, China - Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region), Philippines, United States of America

After a quiet start, the Atlantic hurricane season has become very active. Of three named tropical systems, Hurricane Florence is by far the most dangerous. The strongest storm globally is Typhoon Mangkhut in the western North Pacific.

At 1000GMT on 12 September, Florence had maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph), the equivalent of a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, and a minimum central pressure of 946 hPa, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Florence is forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it nears the U.S. coast of North Carolina or South Carolina in the on Thursday and Friday.

It is also a very large storm, with hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km).

It is unusual to have such a strong hurricane so far north. The last major hurricane to impact the Carolinas was Hugo in 1989.

NHC warned that the combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. In the worst affected areas, the water has the potential to reach 9-13 feet (2.7 - 4 meters) above ground if peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.

In Wilmington, North Carolina, which is one of the areas where Florence may make landfall, NOAA tidal data shows a sea level rise of around 20cm (0.7 feet) since 1930s, meaning the storm surge will be higher and impacts greater than otherwise.

Florence is expected to produce heavy and excessive rainfall in Coastal North Carolina of 20 to 30 inches (508 to 762 mm), isolated 40 inches (1016 mm). “This rainfall would produce catastrophic flash flooding and significant river flooding,” according to NHC.

Some of the weather models predict that it may stall and sit and spin for a couple of days, just as Hurricane Harvey did over Houston last year.

Typhoon Mangkhut

Forecast track 19.9.2018 of Typhoon Mangkhut

In terms of the strength, Typhoon Mangkhut is the strongest tropical cyclone at the moment, with a central pressure of 905 hPa, and strengthening. It is very large, with winds exceeding 90 kmH extending 220 km outwards from the centre

On the forecast track, Typhoon Manghut will may hit the northernmost islands of the Philippines on in the night between Friday 14 and Saturday 15 ( local time) as a low CAT5 equivalent hurricane, with winds of 210 km/h, gusting to 305 km/h. It is then forecast to head towards Hong Kong, China and the southeast coast of the Chinese mainland.

There will be heavy associated rainfall, with accumulated totals up to 200 to 350 mm, waves from 3 to 12 meters (close to Mangkhut’s center) and dangerous storm surge.

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