Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (27 Jan - 2 Feb 2015) PHILIPPINES MYANMAR On 25 Jan, an armed encounter between the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Special Action Force (SAF), field forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) erupted in Mamasapano municipality, Maguindanao province in Mindanao. In total, 44 members of the PNP-SAF, 8 MILF fighters and 2 civilians were confirmed dead as a result of this fighting, and 2 others were wounded. The incident displaced around 6,620 people, of which 66 families are in a local madrasah while others are staying with relatives and friends. Classes in nearby schools were suspended. On 14 Jan, fighting broke out in the Hpakan area of Kachin State between the Government of Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army. More than 1,000 people were displaced from Aung Bar Lay and surrounding villages to Kan See village, north-east of Hpakan. Some assistance (including food, blankets, mats and other basic items) has been provided to those affected by national NGOs, local authorities and the Myanmar Red Cross, with support from the UN and international NGOs. However, there are still serious concerns for the protection, safety and security of those displaced and other civilians in Kan See, as they remain in close proximity to the conflict area. Access to the area remains severely restricted.3 MONGOLIA DPR KOREA C INDONESIA On 31 Jan, flooding from five rivers (Laju, Silo, Soa, Raba Baka and Toi Rivers) in West Nusa Tenggara Province inundated approximately 4,000 houses in villages of Dompu Sub District and Woja Sub District following heavy rains. Those temporarily displaced are sheltering in mosques and schools in Poto and Wowondoro Villages. The local disaster management authorities, with support from local military, police, and Ministry of Social Affairs Disaster Response Teams, has established an incident command post to provide assistance. The Indonesian Chapter of the Red Cross, Palang Merah Indonesia, has deployed 25 personnel to undertake assessments and assist with evacuations.2 H I N A Kobe BHUTAN NEPAL PA C I F I C OCEAN Kathmandu Dhaka MYANMAR INDIA 54 people killed 6,620 people displaced The municipal and regional authorities provided food packs to the displaced. As of 2 Feb, most IDPs are accessing their homes and livelihoods during daytime.1 JAPAN RO KOREA Bay of Yangon Bengal Colombo VIET LAO NAM PDR BANGLADESH China Sea THAILAND Bangkok Manila Guam (US) PHILIPPINES CAMBODIA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM SRI LANKA MALDIVES South Northern Mariana Islands (US) 1,000 people displaced F E D E R AT E D S TAT E S O F MICRONESIA PALAU MARSHALL ISLANDS M A L AY S I A SINGAPORE INDIAN OCEAN I N D NAURU O N E S I A PA P U A N E W GUINEA Jakarta PRECIPITATION FORECAST In the next three months, there is a high chance of below normal rainfall in the Philippines, parts of Indonesia as well as the South Pacific. Above average rainfall is possible in the Marshall islands and Kiribati. TIMOR-LESTE SOLOMON ISLANDS TUVALU Port Moresby FIJI VA N U AT U Source: IRI, Columbia University. Jan 2014 Suva NEW CALEDONIA Above normal AUSTRALIA Normal Below normal Cyclone Ola NEW ZEALAND 4,000 houses inundated OCHA presence The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Feedback: [email protected] www.unocha.org/roap Creation date: 2 Feb 2015 Glide Number: TC-2015-000005-PHL (Philippines) Sources: 1. OCD-ARMM, ARMM-HEART/CFSI/Protection Cluster 2. BNPB, BPBD, PMI 3. Local authorities, local NGOs, Media 4. RCO 5. Media, OCHA BHUTAN On 31 Jan a forest fire started near the capital, Thimphu. The fire lasted for over a day despite prompt intervention from the Royal Bhutan Army, the Royal Bhutan Police, dessups (trained volunteers), and local volunteers. There were no human settlements in the vicinity of the fire and no casualties reported. The cause of the fire is not known. The fire is now contained but the extent of damage is not yet known. Based on records (2008-2013), Thimphu district in the western region has the highest number of fire incidents followed by the districts of Mongar, Trashigang, and Samdrup Jongkhar in the eastern region.4 SOUTH PACIFIC On 1 Feb, eight towns in Belep archipelago in northern New Caledonia were placed on alert in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Ola. According to local authorities sustained winds in excess of 95km per hour and heavy rains caused no significant damage. OCHA continues to monitor the cyclone as it travels in a southerly direction across the South Pacific. 5