OCHA Flash Update Haima No.1

As of 18 October (10 a.m., Manila time), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) provided updates regarding the typhoon Haima. Category 3 Typhoon Haima (locally known as Lawin) was located 950 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte, in Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts of up to 230 km/h according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country's weather bureau. It is moving west northwest at 25 km/h.

Typhoon Haima entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 17 October, just as Typhoon Sarika exited on the same day. It is expected to make landfall over Cagayan province early morning of 20 October, then cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte as it exits PAR late evening of 20 October or early morning of 21 October.

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 650 km diameter of the typhoon, with the effects to be felt starting 19 October.  A total of 266 municipalities in the likely affected Regions I, II, III and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will experience rain that could trigger flash floods and landslides given the wet ground from Typhoon Sarika.  Authorities are monitoring Magat Dam in Isabela province and San Roque Dam in Pangasinan province as their reservoirs are near spilling level after accumulating rain from the recent typhoon.

PAGASA expects the typhoon to intensify to Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 4 (with winds of 171-220 km/h expected in 12 hours) before making landfall, and are not ruling out the possibility of TCWS Number 5 (winds of more than 220 km/h).

Disaster preparedness and Government  response

The NDRRMC is meeting daily for Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. According to the Department of Interior and Local Government, local government units in the likely affected areas are activating their pre-disaster monitoring and reporting in compliance with disaster preparedness protocols under Operation Listo. Local authorities were encouraged to issue ordinances to halt tourism activities in likely affected areas in line with a Department memorandum of ensuring “zero casualties” during calamities.

The Government’s Response Cluster is active, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Quick Response Teams deployed to Typhoon Sarika-affected areas. DSWD has PhP527 million (US$10.8 million) standby funds and a total of 500,000 family food packs pre-positioned in its national and regional warehouses. Government trucks carrying family food packs were deployed to replenish warehouses in CAR (10,000 family food packs), Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (5,000 family food packs), and Apayao province (3,000 family food packs). Families displaced by Typhoon Sarika, who are in areas that will also be affected by Typhoon Haima, will remain in evacuation centres and will continuously to receive aid from authorities.

The Department of Health has pre-positioned medicine and supplies at its regional hospitals and health teams are on standby for deployment.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines disaster response units are on-call and will deploy communication teams at the municipal level to augment the capacity of local government units. Military assets will also be mobilized to transport relief items and clear roads.

Humanitarian response and coordination

The Humanitarian Country Team’s Emergency Response Preparedness Working Group convened on 17 October and are taking stock of its in-country capacities that may be used to support government response if needed. The Philippine International NGO Network which brings together 48 INGOs, met on 18 October and discussed preparedness actions.