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Red Cross Volunteers Offer Emotional Support to Grieving American Samoans By Christi Harlan

 

Thursday, October 15, 2009 — As schoolchildren on American Samoa prepared to return to classes for the first time after the Sept. 29 tsunami, American Red Cross worker Tim Serban fielded a special request.

 

“We met with a teacher of preschoolers who is facing the reality of school starting and (wants to know) what to say or do to help the students process the grief over those who don't show up for school,” Serban wrote in an e-mail describing his first day on American Samoa. “That will be our call tomorrow, as we have been requested by local leaders to begin to meet with teachers and help them address their grief just before they step into the classroom.”

Serban is the volunteer spiritual care adviser among the 88 American Red Cross workers who flew to American Samoa to help with recovery from the tsunami. While his fellow Red Cross workers assist with residents’ physical recovery from the tsunami, Serban and his partners in Red Cross mental health are addressing the psychological and spiritual needs of the residents. Their work as part of Red Cross Disaster Services is supported by donations to the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross.

 

Since his arrival Oct. 3, Serban has spent much of his time on the island addressing the special needs of children, particularly those who lost classmates in the waves. It is hard work:

“Tomorrow will begin again with the children who lost their classmate,” Serban wrote. “They will go with their teachers for a site visit to the location where their 11-year-old classmate last lived. She was lost with her mother when the waves came through. And the children will bring part of themselves to leave at the site. Then we teach teachers about grief, and the preschoolers and then my mental health colleague will go back to a high school to train teachers about Psychological First Aid. And I wrap up tomorrow with a few site visits to families and then work with leaders of Teen Challenge on Samoan TV at 6:30 p.m.”

The focus on children gained special poignancy on Sunday, Oct. 11, which was “White Sunday” in American Samoa, an annual day of celebration when children are honored in church services by their families and members of their communities—all of whom are expected to wear their very best all-white clothes to mark the day.

The White Sunday celebration this year was tinged with grief, as some families on the island had buried their children just two days earlier in ceremonies that are also rich in tradition.

For American Samoans, Serban wrote, such a ceremony “means digging their own child's grave, which is in the front yard of the family home. Then bringing family together and hosting them in what would have been your home, but is now uninhabitable….

There are not many options for alternatives,” Serban said. “Tradition, culture, and history mandate that, for one to have honor, they would do these things….They welcome every bit of support and advice for caring for their children and themselves. The little we provide is much when you have limited access to such support.”

 

Serban, who is director of mission and spiritual care at Providence Health System in Everett, Wash., previously worked with the American Red Cross in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. He is one of 285 disaster-trained, board-certified chaplains, including rabbis, priests and ministers, who work with the American Red Cross on spiritual care.

 

The American Red Cross added spiritual care to its disaster services after the crash of TWA Flight 800 and the passage of the Aviation Family Disaster Assistance Act of 1996, according to Earl E. Johnson, the volunteer partner coordinator for the Red Cross spiritual care response team.

Spiritual care was originally a team that responded to air disasters,” Johnson said. “Our mission expanded after Sept. 11 to include critical events with mass fatalities. That’s why the American Red Cross, as a humanitarian organization, is involved in facilitating and coordinating spiritual care with partners in the faith community. Death is more than a mental health issue.”

Serban has seen that firsthand on American Samoa, where his work with the men of the villages and communities has been particularly important.

 

On his first day on the island, he traveled to the hard-hit area of Leone: “We’re tasked with the job of reaching out to key men in the local community who have faced the greatest loss ever: their children. How as a father would you face the grief of losing your children as they fled their school to try to make it home? How would you handle the deep grief of not only losing your home but also facing the reality that you could have lost your entire family? How do you celebrate the fact that all (of your family) survived except your little angel, your only daughter, who was just six years old? These were just some of the realities we walked into today.”

 

In the village of Tafuna, Serban has maintained his work with the sixth graders at South Pacific academy whose 11-year-old classmate died in the tsunami, joining them last week for a seaside service to honor their classmate with a Samoan farewell song.

“It was a very deeply precious moment as the whales breached in the sea behind them—something that rarely is seen in this area. One whale came very close and blew its spray. The kids saw it as a sign from their friend that she is safe and at peace—a sight that no one could experience without the gift of tears….”

About an hour after the service, the island was placed under another tsunami watch, then a full warning.

“Just when you think the nerves are settling down on this island of grief, you experience what we experienced today—a tsunami warning as we were working with the fears of the early childhood educators. Their students, homes and people were lost….

“The grief was very evident, and the emotional concerns were palpable, just at the minute we looked out the classroom window to see a sea of children in uniforms pouring out of their schools and walking quickly on the road uphill towards us….Within a minute, all were piled into cars and into the backs of pickup trucks on their way toward the jungle mountaintops.

“The clouds hovered like fog around the top and, as we followed a steady stream of vehicles up the mountain, every 100 to 200 feet a young man stood holding a hammer-like bolt next to an empty rusty oxygen tank….each beating a steady and constant sound like a gong that echoes through the village. Just as one sound fades, another gets louder.”

The tsunami warning was cancelled, but its effects required additional work by Serban and Red Cross mental health workers.

“There were visible signs that the warning had more than rattled the nerves of many,” he wrote on Thursday. “Teachers and students alike were impacted….One of the things I said to a group of teachers was that they needed to be honest and truthful, and if a student asked ‘could this happen again?’ to tell the truth and say ‘we don't know.’ It could happen, but this is what we are doing to be safe and you need to let us know what helps you to feel safe….

“We are working in Pago Pago with families and individuals in need. The emotional aftermath is very real. It is great working together with the excellently trained mental health members and collaborating partners within the community. No one is an island.”

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

AmeriCorps Contributes to Red Cross Relief Efforts in American Samoa

"Service is something I always wanted to be a part of," said Ashley SaverinoRead

 

American Samoa: A Long-term Recovery Operation

 

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=1bfe81b94a454210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

______________________

 

www.GMA News.TV

 

House OKs proposed 2010 budget on 2nd reading

 

 

Black Eyed Peas singer brings aid to Philippines: by TERESA CEROJANO, Associated Press10/15/2009 | 05:54 PM

 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Black Eyed Peas singer apl.de.ap has flown to his native Philippines following devastating back-to-back storms to perform a benefit concert and deliver much-needed aid.

Apl planned to stage the concert Thursday evening in Manila during a brief trip to the country.

"I just want to tell everybody that my heart goes out to you guys and I will try my best to help out," he told reporters ahead of the event.

 

A Los Angeles resident whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo, apl said he was concerned when he saw television footage of the devastation and decided to make a brief visit.

 

The worst flooding in 40 years struck the rice-growing northern Philippines and the capital Manila late last month when a typhoon after a storm dumped heavy rains that triggered landslides and inundated towns, killing 712 people and affecting more than 7 million.

 

In addition to a concert with local artists, apl brought canned goods from California, donated cash and appealed for more money for victims from around the world.

 

The hip-hop singer, who was adopted at 14 and moved to the United States, said he remains proud of his roots.

 

Even before his storm outreach, apl was involved in projects in his native country.

He recently performed in a music video, created in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism and MTV Asia, singing a new rap song, "Take U to the Philippines," which features the country's white sand beaches, mountains and bustling cities.

"I love our culture, and you know I wanna share that all over the world," he said. "I'm not ashamed of who I am, I'm very proud to be Filipino." - AP

 

Group questions San Roque Dam’s flood control capability

 

Ad Congress pulls out of Baguio, cutting revenues for city's rehab

 

GMANews.TV

 

PHILIPPINE FLOODS HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR URGENT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE 10/15/2009 | 02:24 PM

BANGKOK - As the Philippines was struggling to recover from the aftermath of two tropical cyclones, delegates from 177 countries were meeting in Thailand’s capital to iron out a comprehensive climate change agreement that is set to be finalized this December in Denmark.

 

Scientists and environmentalists emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to halt the worsening of climate change and address its disastrous impact, which may include more frequent extreme weather events like tropical storm Ondoy, which ravaged Manila recently.

 

“[Developed] countries must act now with urgency to moderate these storms and spare the whole world from the impoverishing and devastating impacts of climate change, especially to low-lying archipelagic island nations like the Philippines," said Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Heherson Alvarez at a press conference.

 

Alvarez headed the Philippines’ 27-member delegation to the Bangkok Climate Change Talks. The delegation also included officials from the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Science and Technology, Energy, and Agriculture, as well as representatives from non-government and people’s organizations.

 

GMA News and Public Affairs producer Pia Faustino filed the video report (can be seen at GMA News), part of a series of reports that she is doing for GMANews.TV on climate change until the pivotal UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Among the topics under negotiation until December are new emissions reduction targets for wealthy countries along with sustainable development actions, financial assistance, and technology transfer options for poorer countries that are hit hardest by the effects of climate change. - GMANews.TV

 

RP takes part in high-level climate change meet

 

Arroyo to sign Climate Change Act on Oct 30, Legarda says

 

Climate change behind twin disasters in RP – UN official

 

Rich and poor countries divided on climate deal

 

Experts not blaming climate change for ‘Ondoy’

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Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

 

PHILIPPINERNE: GMA News.TV:

 

Pepeng death toll now at 419, surpasses Ondoy’s 10/16/2009 | 11:50 AM

The death toll from typhoon "Pepeng" (Parma) has surpassed that of tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana), according to figures from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Friday.

 

 

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDCC said Pepeng’s death toll was at 419, mostly buried by landslides in Baguio City and the provinces of Benguet and Mt. Province.

 

 

Ondoy’s death toll has been placed at 341, mostly from floods.

 

 

NDCC said Pepeng killed at least 333 in Cordillera region - 288 in Benguet alone - and 71 in Ilocos, 10 in Central Luzon, and four in Bicol.

Most of the deaths in Cordillera were due to landslides while the rest in other regions were due to drowning, it added.At least 51 were still missing while 184 were reported injured.

 

Pepeng, which made landfall thrice in northern Luzon starting Oct. 3, affected at least 662,274 families or 3,106,978 people in 4,585villages in 361 towns and 35 cities and 27 provinces.

 

Of these, 15,629 families or 74,868 people are still staying in 168 evacuation centers.

 

Some 4,040 houses were destroyed while 34,843 were damaged.

 

Damage to property was estimated at P10.437 billion, including P3.402 billion in infrastructure and P7.032 billion in agriculture.

 

The NDCC said power has been fully restored in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, but power interruption is still experienced in Aringay, Bauang and Caba towns in La Union.

 

Power interruptions are also being experienced in 14 towns in Pangasinan province, it added.

 

On the other hand, telecommunications services in Pasig City may be disrupted due to a damaged underground cable of PLDT.

 

Telecommunication lines of PLDT and Digitel in Cagayan Valley were partially restored.

 

In northern Luzon, Pangasinan officials are verifying reports of an artificial dam at the top of Caraballo Mountain ridge that may cause flooding and mudflow in Caurdenataan and Don Montano villages in Umingan, Pangasinan.

 

 

"Hundreds of residents in the threatened area had been evacuated by Philippine Army (and) local government units. The remaining residents have been alerted for possible evacuation," the NDCC said. - GMANews.TV

 

 

 

Residents protest alleged dumping of flood waste on riverbank

 

 

Storm 'Ramil' enters RP area of responsibility – Pagasa

 

 

Sen. Loren Legarda grills officials of National Power Corp. and San Roque Power Corp. during a Senate hearing on dam protocols Friday. Benjie Castro

 

Dr. Carlo Arcilla of the UP-NIGS discusses last week's flooding of Pangasinan during Friday's Senate hearing on 'Pepeng'. Benjie Castro

 

National Power Corp. president Froilan Tampinco justifies the need to release water from San Roque Dam at Friday's Senate hearing. Benjie Castro

 

-------------------------

 

LEPTOSPIROSIS

• a bacterial infection caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called leptospira

• occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment such as surface water, floodwater, soil, and plants

• affects both humans and animals

• leptospira have been found in rats, insectivores, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs and horses

• bacteria enter through broken skins, through eyes, nose or mouth exposed to contaminated water although less frequently through animal bites, handling infected animal tissues or swallowing contaminated food or water

• an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors or with animals, such as rice and sugar-cane field workers, farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, dairy workers and military personnel

• a recreational hazard to those who swim or wade in contaminated waters. In endemic areas the number of leptospirosis cases may peak during the rainy season and even may reach epidemic proportions in case of flooding.

 

SYMPTOMS

Incubation period for the bacteria lasts 7 to 12 days. During this period, the following symptoms may be felt (although sometimes it can also be asymptomatic):

• high fever

• severe headache

• chills

• muscle pain

• vomiting

• jaundice

• redness in the eyes

• abdominal pain

• hemorrhages in skin and mucous membranes (including pulmonary bleeding)

• diarrhea

• rash

 

However, if these aren't treated, they may develop into kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress.

 

PREVENTION

• reduce the rat population with the destruction of their habitats -- maintain a clean home

• avoid immersion in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and canals

• avoid immersion in floods

• use protective footwear or clothing when immersion to natural waters or floods is inevitable

• provide clean drinking water

 

Source: GMA News Research, Department of Health, World Health Organization

 

 

DOH: LEPTO SPIKING IN RIZAL AND METRO MANILA, KILLS 89

 

Leptospirosis, a usually rare bacterial infection, has afflicted more people in Metro Manila and Rizal in the last two weeks than it typically does in an entire year, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque at a press conference Friday morning. He attributed the spike to large numbers of people wading in floodwaters teeming with bacteria that causes the disease.

 

 

Public hospitals required to accept leptospirosis patients

 

 

LEPTOSPIROSIS, OTHER DISEASES HOUND FLOOD VICTIMS

AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV10/14/2009 | 04:01 PM

Leptospirosis, a usually rare bacterial infection, has afflicted more people in Metro Manila and Rizal in the last two weeks than it typically does in an entire year, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque at a press conference Friday morning. He attributed the spike to large numbers of people wading in floodwaters teeming with bacteria that causes the disease.

 

At the height of tropical storm “Ondoy," 24-year-old Gerald Samson braved the floods to save his neighbors from drowning in the murky floodwaters of Santolan, Pasig City. Little did he know that his selfless act would eventually cost him his precious health.

 

In an interview with GMA News' John Consulta, Samson, who saved the lives of at least 15 people, turned to the camera and begged for rescue. Doctors at the Rizal Medical Center said he is infected with leptospirosis and is already in critical condition.

 

Samson and Gonzales are only two of the hundreds of patients downed by leptospirosis, a disease usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may exhibit no symptoms at all.

 

According to the Department of Health, at least 28 people have already succumbed to leptospirosis this year. About 812 cases have also been recorded from January to October 11. Of these, 375 are from Metro Manila

According to the Medical City hospital in Pasig, it is experiencing shortage of rooms because of the sudden increase in the number of leptospirosis cases. The Medical City is one of the top hospitals in the country.

 

Most of the patients are male whose ages range from 31 to 40. The report said many of them have waded through the floods during the storm

Other threats

Apart from the threat of leptospirosis, flooding victims are also in danger of acquiring diarrhea, cholera, Influenza A(H1N1), and dengue.

 

In Pasig City Elementary School, GMA News’ Trisha Zafra reported that a lot of children ages two and below are infected with diarrhea due to contaminated tap water.

 

DOH Epidemiology Center chief Eric Tayag assured that that the government is now monitoring cases of diarrhea and cholera due to the possibility that their drinking water may be contaminated.

 

He also said that the government is coming up with solutions for the increasing leptospirosis cases in the country.

 

Nonetheless, he said it is also important for evacuees to take necessary precautions. He advised residents wading in floodwaters to see a doctor immediately when they encounter symptoms such as chills, red eyes or yellow skin, and not to wait until it is too late.

 

He also said residents should boil their drinking water or at least use a chlorine solution to stave off diseases from contaminated water, such as diarrhea and cholera.

 

On the other hand, Tayag warned residents the stagnant water can also bring about the killer disease dengue.

 

He also advised those in evacuation centers to practice good hygiene and treat their surroundings like their own homes.

 

As of Oct. 13, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said 45,129 families or 216,941 people displaced by storm Ondoy are staying in 443 evacuation centers mostly in Metro Manila and the provinces of Rizal and Laguna.

 

Of those affected by typhoon Pepeng, 16,583 families or 80,262 people are still in 245 evacuation centers mostly in northern and central Luzon. - GMANews.TV

_______________________

 

INDONESIA

 

Earthquake victims in Indonesia, need help

Indonesian Red Cross needs the equivalent of DKK 93 million to help the 100,000 victims in the disaster area in Sumatra. Work will take 6 months.

 

Responsible for page: Nis Sperling. Created 16 October 2009

 

Over 700 people have been killed, 2400 wounded and around 20,000 families are affected by the two earthquakes that hit the island of Sumatra in Indonesia a few weeks ago.

 

20,000 families in Sumatra need help

The two earthquakes in Indonesia have destroyed houses, roads and sewers in many villages. Right now up to 20,000 families still urgently need help.

Therefore the Red Cross in Indonesia now asks for more money so that they can rebuild the water supply, toilets, and provide medical and psychosocial support to the many survivors.

Local aid workers estimate that it takes six months of efforts before the people in the disaster areas can get something resembling a normal life.

Residents block road for help

"We're not sure that aid reaches the most remote villages," said Bob Mckerrow from the International Red Cross.

Staff and volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross were among the first to reach the disaster zone. Since then, they have worked around the clock. Yet there are areas where help does not arrive. It lacks both hands and resources.

In some places the situation is so desperate that the inhabitants are blocking the roads used by Red Cross in order to get access to emergency relief. Furthermore, it is difficult to get goods over to the shops in the larger areas.

 

There is an overview of the disaster

"We tried to make us a better view through overflights. This enables us to assess the damage more accurately, "explains Bob Mckerrow.

Aid workers now have a good overview of the area but they need more money if they are to reach all the affected families.

 

http://drk.dk/nyheder/jordskaelvsramte+i+indonesien+mangler+hjaelp

 

Red Cross News

 

Red Cross Volunteers Offer Emotional Support to Grieving American Samoans

http://www.redcross.org/

___________________________________________________

 

Danish TV1 Text TV on 16/10-09:

 

Earthquake in INDONESIA:

A heavy sub-marine earthquake in Indonesia in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. As the earthquake was sub-marine and taking place in the Sunda Strait, there is not much material damage. It measured 6,4 Richter and did not trigger any tsunami. The inhabitants fled into the streets as a precaution. It is only a little more than 2 weeks ago that another area of Sumatra was hit by an earthquake that cost 1,000 human lives.

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATE OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA on 17 OCTOBER 2009

 

GMA NEWS.TV - THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW IN THE PHILIPPINES

 

'Ramil' intensifies into typhoon, evac urged

 

10/17/2009 | 09:15 AM

After entering Philippine territory, tropical cyclone "RAMIL" (international code name “LUPIT") intensified into a typhoon, but may not directly affect the country until Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

But this early, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned residents in northern and central Luzon to voluntarily evacuate early.

 

We have to repeat our advise to those living near mountain slopes to evacuate early," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzRH radio.

 

It will be impossible for government to individually evacuate people in so short a time. If you live near a high-risk area, please evacuate to prevent loss of life," he added.

 

He said it is still too early to say where “Ramil" will head, saying it may be northern Luzon or Central Luzon. A third possibility is that the typhoon will head towards Taiwan.

 

Either way, he said “Ramil" will bring much rain to the areas it will pass. If it passes central Luzon, it may bring rains to Metro Manila, he added.

 

BE PREPARED

 

But Pagasa weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz said residents in northern and central Luzon should not fall into a false sense of security, as “Ramil" could be gathering more strength.

 

It may make itself felt on Tuesday or Wednesday but weather conditions can change, and ‘Ramil’ may speed up," Cruz said on government-run dzRB radio.

 

He also said the relatively mild winds in Cagayan and parts of Luzon are not from a “weak" typhoon but from the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

 

Cruz added the longer “Ramil" stays in the water and does not make landfall, the more it can gather strength.

 

Once it hits, we should be ready for strong winds and rains," he said.

 

HEIGHTENED ALERT

 

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard said it is on alert in the areas expected to be affected.

 

Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said going on alert is “automatic" for them, especially in the wake of recent killer tropical cyclones “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and “Pepeng" (Parma).

 

Even when it was still a low-pressure area we are already preparing," Tamayo said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said the Coast Guard will be on heightened alert in areas under Signal No. 1, and full alert in areas under Signal No. 2.

 

As of 2 a.m. Saturday, Pagasa said “Ramil" was estimated at 850 kms east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph and is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

 

In its 5 a.m. bulletin Saturday, Pagasa said “Ramil" continues to move towards northern and central Luzon.

 

“Bicol Region and the Eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said.

 

But in its 11 p.m. advisory Friday that “Ramil" is not due to directly affect any part of the country “within the next 36 hours."

 

Pagasa’s 11 p.m. advisory forecast it to be 580 kms east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Saturday evening, and 420 kms northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Sunday evening.

 

By Monday evening it forecast “Ramil" to be 380 kms east of Casiguran, Aurora.

 

Meanwhile, Pagasa said light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest and southeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the southwest and west over the rest of the country.

 

Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate except during thunderstorms. - GMANews.TV

 

--------------------

 

RAMIL'S WINDS MIGHT RIVAL PEPENG'S; NO WORD ON RAIN

 

MARK D. MERUEÑAS and ANDREO C. CALONZO, GMANews.TV 10/17/2009 | 11:43 AM

 

(As of 4 p.m.) Typhoon Ramil's slow hovering over the Pacific Ocean might allow it to gather wind strength that would rival, if not surpass, that of Pepeng, with Pagasa officials forecasting a late Tuesday or early Wednesday landfall in northern Luzon. But there is still no forecast about rainfall, which is how Pepeng did its most damage.

 

This was the latest warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in a briefing before Saturday noon.

 

Pagasa expects RAMIL (international name LUPIT), last spotted at 780 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, to make landfall on Tuesday in northern Luzon, which typhoon 'Pepeng' (Parma) had battered two weeks ago.

 

Ramil could become stronger than Pepeng," said Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo.

 

Ramil’s slow movement gives it more time to gather strength at sea," he added.

 

Weather forecasters are also not discounting the possibility of Ramil’s turning into a supertyphoon.

 

(Ramil could turn into a supertyphoon)," said weather sciences bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz said, adding that a cyclone could only be categorized as a supertyphoon once it achieves strengths of at least 215 kph.

 

Ramil currently packs maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center with gustiness of 160 kph, and is expected to intensify as it approaches land.

 

Pepeng roared in and out of Luzon for 10 days before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility last Saturday.

 

Before making its first landfall in the Cagayan province on Oct. 3, Pepeng packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kph. It exited into the South China Sea the next day, but it made another landfall over Ilocos Norte after being pulled back on Oct. 6 by tropical cyclone "Quedan" (Melor), which was blowing toward southern Japan.

 

A relatively weaker Pepeng returned for a third landfall on Oct. 8 before exiting the country two days later.

 

Pepeng affected at least 662,274 families or 3,106,978 people in 4,585 villages in 361 towns and 35 cities and 27 provinces.

 

Don't be complacent

 

Government warned residents, particularly those in the northern regions, against letting the sunny weather lull them into a false sense of security.

 

Pagasa advised people living in high-risk areas to evacuate as early as now.

 

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, meanwhile, voiced concern over reports that residents living beside esteros or waterways and creeks in Quezon City have started returning to their homes.

 

He said it is time for people to learn the lessons from the onslaughts of “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and Pepeng.

 

“God forbid that situation, but it’s time we learn from the lessons of ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng.’ Let us not tempt fate so much anymore," he said on government radio.

 

Remonde reiterated President Arroyo’s instructions to local government officials and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to “enhance" their preparations.

 

 

Forced evacuations in Benguet

 

In the northern province of Benguet, where at least 288 were killed in Pepeng-triggered landslides, police officers were going house-to-house to tell people to leave the affected communities before the latest storm, Gov. Nestor Fongwan said.

 

Other Benguet communities identified as hazardous also were ordered evacuated, Fongwan said.

 

Disaster officers urged local officials to tell residents to immediately evacuate at the first sign of landslides, Cordillera regional civil defense chief Olive Luces said.

 

"Some people are just really stubborn and refuse to leave," she said, adding that survivors of Pepeng's landslides told of watching water seep from the walls and floors of homes before the ground collapsed around them.

 

Military choppers were airlifting food supplies to areas unreachable by land to prepare for Ramil, she said.

 

Excess water

 

To prepare for Ramil’s arrival, Pagasa had also advised dam managers to go on with the release of water in at least seven major dams in Luzon.

 

Because we are anticipating Ramil's landfall, we are continuing the opening of spillways and the rate of the water release," Pagasa weather specialist Max Peralta told GMA News.

 

Relief caravan postponed

 

Meanwhile, the threat of bad weather has prompted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to postpone a relief caravan to areas affected by “Ondoy" and “Pepeng."

 

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said her agency has instead decided to speed up the distribution of relief goods to typhoon-hit areas.

 

We have put off the relief caravan of 100 trucks for now. In the meantime, the DSWD will deliver goods to typhoon-hit regions so they can have stocks of relief goods to use," she said.

 

She said they continue to distribute relief goods in Northern Luzon and in some parts of Metro Manila that are still flooded.

 

Health officials say 1.7 million people exposed to floodwaters in and around metropolitan Manila were being threatened by leptospirosis, a disease spread by water contaminated with urine of infected animals. The disease has killed 90 of 1,027 reported cases, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

 

Pagasa, in its 11 a.m. advisory on Saturday, said “Ramil" intensified further as it continued to move toward the northern and Philippines.

 

As of 10 a.m., Ramil was estimated at 980 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora or at 780 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

 

Ramil packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph, and is moving west-northwest at 13 kph.

 

By Sunday morning it is expected to be 700 km east of Casiguran, Aurora. By Monday morning it is expected to be 470 kmseast-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or at 510 km east of Tuguegarao City.

 

By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 240 km east of Tuguegarao city in Cagayan province.

 

 

“This disturbance will not affect any part of the country within the next 36 hours," Pagasa said.

 

____________

 

US Pinoys brave cold in charity walk for RP cyclone victims

 

Floods prompt revision of protocol on release of water from dams

 

PAGASA: STORM 'LUPIT' INTENSIFIES AS IT NEARS BICOL

 

Pepeng death toll now at 419, surpasses Ondoy’s

|

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Leptospirosis deaths soar to 89

 

Philstar.com - Saturday, October 17

 

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from leptospirosis reached 89 as cases of the flood-borne disease in Metro Manila and flooded provinces rose tenfold in the past three days, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

 

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the number of leptospirosis admissions in public hospitals in Metro Manila alone soared from 140 on Oct. 12 to 1,027 as of Oct. 15.

 

Duque added that the 89 leptospirosis deaths brought to 8.6 percent the fatality rate from last year’s 7.5 percent.

 

“Cases of leptospirosis have really shot up these past few days. In fact, the Metro Manila figure even exceeded the 812 nationwide admissions in government hospitals for the whole of last year,” Duque disclosed.

 

 

SOME HEADLINES FROM GMA NEWS.TV - the situation in the Philippines

 

» Release of water from Magat Dam continues as ‘Ramil’ nears

 

» NDCC alerts Luzon regions as typhoon ‘Ramil’ gains strength

 

» 'Ramil' intensifies into typhoon, evac urged

 

» Storm 'Ramil' enters RP area of responsibility – Pagasa

 

» US Pinoys brave cold in charity walk for RP cyclone victims

 

Top 5 illnesses affecting Evacuation Centers:

1). Athlete's Foot

2). Fever

3). Coughs

4). Colds

5). Tetanus.

PNRC Hotline: 527-0000/143 [twitter.com/philredcross]

 

 

All models show 'Ramil' will hit N. Luzon: PAGASA

 

MANILA - Based on "Lupit's" (local name: "Ramil") current speed and direction, the typhoon will hit northern Luzon, as shown in all typhoon track models used by weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

 

"All the models we are using have a unanimous forecast that the typhoon would hit northern Luzon," PAGASA administrator Prisco Nilo reported during a National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) briefing on Saturday afternoon.

 

As of 4 p.m., PAGASA's website said the typhoon has slowed down further, moving northwest at a speed of 13 kilometers per hour (kph). It was spotted 940 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, packing stronger center winds of 140 kph and gusts of up to 170 kph.

 

Nilo said the worst-case scenario, based on the worst-case global forecast system model of the United States, is that the typhoon's rainband will continue to grow bigger as it moves closer to the country.

 

This means that when Ramil makes landfall, it will slow down further and bring more rains over the northern provinces, he added.

 

He said the expected landfall of the typhoon in northern Luzon is Wednesday night (October 21).

 

 

Nilo said the typhoon will most likely cross northern Luzon provinces for three days, from October 21 to October 23 (Friday).

 

Areas under threat

He said that before the typhoon starts its movement away from land, its rains would put the Cordillera Administrative Region and Pangasinan "under threat."

 

The Cordilleras suffered the most number of deaths during the onslaught of tropical storm Pepeng (Parma) due to landslides, while 38 towns of Pangasinan were hit by deep floodwaters.

 

By Saturday (October 25), Nilo said the typhoon would already move out and head towards sea.

 

Nilo said there were other US forecast models that predict a variety of Ramil's movements.

 

He said only one of the models predicts that Ramil will head straight to Taiwan. This scenario is still remote based on the typhoon's current movement.

 

The PAGASA administrator said they have been closely monitoring Ramil's movement since October 15 so as to warn critical areas as earliest as possible.

 

He said dams along waterways in northern Luzon have been spilling since Friday to give the reservoirs enough buffer to absorb Ramil's predicted heavy rainfall.

 

The weather bureau's dam monitoring indicated that San Roque dam's managers, who have been blamed for the massive flooding in Pangasinan, have increased its water release from 620 cubic meters per second at 6 a.m. to 768 cms at 4 p.m.

 

As of 4 p.m., two gates of Angat dam were releasing 234 cms of water; Ipo dam at 315.4 cms; Ambuklao, 120 cms; Binga, 295 cms; Pantabangan, 220 cms; and, Magat, 676 cms.

 

N. Luzon is the same area that typhoon Peping ravaged. Hopefully, it willl not cause as much damage and loss of lives as Peping.

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA on 18 October 2009

 

'RAMIL’ INTENSIFIES FURTHER, SLOWLY MOVES TOWARDS NORTH LUZON (10/18/2009 | 07:52 AM - Updated 11:40 a.m.)

Typhoon “Ramil" (Lupit) intensified further as it continued its northwest path Sunday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, the state weather bureau said Ramil now packs maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo said in a press conference, however, that even as Ramil gained strength, it has slowed down and is forecast to remain stationary because a high pressure area near Hong Kong is affecting its speed.

 

 

Nilo said that Ramil might make landfall over extreme Northern Luzon or in Cagayan province on “Wednesday evening or Thursday morning."

 

 

On Sunday, Ramil is estimated to be 1,060 kilometers east-southeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 1,010 km northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

Pagasa predicts that Ramil will be 1,060 km east of Aparri Cagayan on Monday morning; 820 km east of Aparri on Tuesday morning, and 490 km east of Aparri on Wednesday morning.

_________________________

 

Govt agencies brace for disaster as 'Ramil' heads toward North Luzon (10/18/2009 | 04:47 PM)

 

As typhoon “Ramil" (Lupit) roars and gathers strength over the Pacific Ocean, Philippine disaster-response agencies set up possible evacuation centers, organize quick-reaction teams, place hospitals and health personnel on 24/7 duty and move packed goods to areas in north Luzon that might be hit by the cyclone.

 

In a coordinated pre-positioning of relief and rescue logistics, government line agencies are bracing for a disaster waiting to happen in northernmost Luzon, even as the state weather bureau expected that Ramil would spare the National Capital Region.

 

In a media briefing Sunday morning, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief weather forecaster Prisco Nilo said that the typhoon might hit north Luzon in three days, with sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of 210 kph.

 

BLUE CODE ALERT

Government hospitals in most parts of Luzon went on blue alert Sunday in preparation for typhoon 'RAMIL' (LUPIT), which is expected to hit the country Wednesday or Thursday.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the Department of Health (DOH) had sent alert memos to six Luzon regions the typhoon threatens to hit, namely Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and Cordillera.

“DOH ... maintained blue alert code with manpower on duty; prepositioned medicines and medical supplies," the NDCC said in its 6 a.m. update, posted on its Website Sunday noon.

 

A CODE BLUE ALERT means medical personnel will be on duty 24 hours a day, and that hospitals and community health units are prepared to accept an influx of casualties.

 

Quick-response team

On Sunday morning, the Philippine Army said that it has already formed a special contingent to respond to possible emergency situations that Ramil might bring in the coming days.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the Army Contingent for Emergency Battalion is composed of about 500 soldiers.

“It was commissioned yesterday (Saturday) to help especially in terms of disaster relief," Brawner said in an interview on dzBB radio. He added that the battalion is currently based in Metro Manila, but would be sent to provinces that Ramil could hit.

 

NAVY ON RED ALERT AS TYPHOON 'RAMIL' HEADS TOWARD NORTHERN LUZON:

 

As parts of Luzon brace for the arrival of typhoon “Ramil" (Lupit), the Philippine Navy said Sunday it has put its forces in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon on red alert status.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said their forces in these areas are ready to pre-position assets and equipment for possible search and rescue operations.

We have been on red alert since Saturday," Arevalo said in an interview on dzBB radio, adding they have learned some lessons from responding to victims of flooding caused by past cyclones including “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and “Pepeng" (Parma).

He said they are particularly waiting for calls to pre-position especially in the Cagayan-Aparri area, where Ramil is expected to hit.

But Arevalo admitted that Navy personnel have been strained and their resources are getting thin after the efforts they exerted in the last two cyclones. “Our resources are getting thin, and our people are getting fatigued," he said.

But in the meantime, he said they are preparing their equipment and vehicles, including choppers, Islander planes, 18 M-35 trucks, 18 rubber boats, and amphibious vehicles and trucks.

He also said their personnel are equipped this time with ropes and mountaineering equipment for possible rescue operations.

Arevalo said that in having the Navy’s Southern Luzon unit go on red alert as well. “We are not taking any chances. The weather path of the storm could change." - GMANews.TV

 

LOOMING DISASTER AMID RUBBLES

 

Typhoon Ramil is threatening to batter Luzon even as the residents there are still grappling with the deadly aftermath of storm Ondoy which struck on Sept. 16 and triggered the worst flooding in Manila in over 40 years. It was followed by typhoon Pepeng on Oct. 3, which lingered for a week, drenching northern mountain provinces and causing landslides that buried many homes.

 

The two storms killed 773 people and inundated the homes of more than 7 million. Hundreds were still in emergency shelters in landslide-hit Benguet province, 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of the capital, Manila, when news of the new typhoon spread.

 

About 20 tons of rice, canned sardines and noodles were being packed and will be delivered to far-flung mountain townships in advance in case landslides again cut off transport in Benguet, a gold-mining and vegetable-producing region of more than 300,000 people, disaster-response officer Olive Luces said.

 

 

RAMIL, which was almost stationary at 1,060 kilometers off the northern Philippine coast, could clip the northern Philippines on Wednesday or veer toward Taiwan. Metropolitan Manila, which enjoyed sunny weather Sunday, will likely be spared, Nilo said. - GMANews.TV, with a report from the Associated Press

 

_________

 

I N D O N E S I A :

 

The Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende on 17 October 2009, citing the News Agency "Reuters"

 

HEAVY EARTHQUAKE NEAR JAVA IN INDONESIA (REUTERS)

 

JAKARTA: Indonesia has been struck by a new heavy earthquake - this time in the Sunda Strait near the island Java. The earth tremors made buildings sway in the capital, Jakarta. The swaying buildings triggered panic in some areas where the inhabitants ran out of their homes and offices. Indonesia is situated in an area with much seismic activity known as "The Pacific Ring of Fire".

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GMA News.TV and AP / THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES:

 

As 'Ramil' heads for RP, govt vows to be ready this time (10/18/2009 | 04:47 PM - Updated 9:08 p.m.)

 

As Typhoon RAMIL gathers strength, the government intends to avoid repeating the disaster of being ill-prepared: Agencies are setting up evacuation centers, placing health personnel on 24/7 duty, and moving packed goods to northern Luzon, where the storm is expected to make landfall. All hope the storm doesn't live up to its international name, LUPIT.

 

In a coordinated pre-positioning of relief and rescue logistics, government line agencies are bracing for yet another disaster in northernmost Luzon, even as the state weather bureau predicted that Ramil would spare the National Capital Region.

 

If it makes landfall in the country, "RAMIL" would be the third storm to hit Luzon in less than a month. Both Ondoy and Pepeng lost a lot of their wind strength by the time they made landfall but dumped record-setting amounts of rain.

 

Any storm that would approximate those first two would compound one of the most destructive sequences of disasters in the nation's history, with unprecedented flooding in Metro Manila, towns around Laguna Lake, and major cities in northern Luzon, and dozens of landslides in the Cordillera mountains. Pepeng isolated Baguio City for the first time since the 1990 earthquake; access was re-established last week.

 

In a media briefing Sunday morning, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief weather forecaster Prisco Nilo said that the new typhoon might hit north Luzon in three days, with sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of 210 kph.

 

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Ramil maintained its strength and stayed stationary off Aparri, Cagayan Sunday afternoon, Pagasa said in its advisory.

 

Ramil is expected to be 1,200 kms east of Aparri, Cagayan by Monday afternoon. By Tuesday afternoon it is expected to be 830 kms northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or at 980 kms east of Basco, Batanes. By Wednesday afternoon the forecast for the location is 630 kms east of Basco, Batanes.

 

Government hospitals in most parts of Luzon went on blue alert Sunday in preparation for the looming disaster. A Code Blue alert means medical personnel will be on duty 24 hours a day, and that hospitals and community health units are prepared to accept an influx of casualties.

 

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the Department of Health (DOH) had sent alert memos to six Luzon regions the typhoon threatens to hit, namely Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and Cordillera.

 

DOH... maintained blue alert code with manpower on duty; prepositioned medicines and medical supplies," the NDCC said in its 6 a.m. update, posted on its Website Sunday noon.

 

In Pangasinan, one of the provinces badly hit by typhoon "Pepeng" last week, all city and municipal mayors had been ordered to prepare possible preemptive or forcible evacuations of families in low-lying areas.

 

"You are advised to stay alert, be proactive, and to take all precautionary measures to secure your respective constituents and to prevent unnecessary casualties," provincial administrator Raffy Baraan quoted Governor Amado Espino Jr's order in a text message.

 

Espino had likewise directed all police units in the province to coordinate with their respective mayors as soon as possible.

 

Quick-response team

On Sunday morning, the Philippine Army said that it has formed a special contingent to respond to possible emergency situations that Ramil might bring in the coming days.

 

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the Army Contingent for Emergency Battalion is composed of about 500 soldiers. “It was commissioned yesterday (Saturday) to help especially in terms of disaster relief," Brawner said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

The Philippine Navy, on the other hand, said that it has put its forces in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon on red alert status. Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said their forces in these areas are ready to pre-position assets and equipment for possible search and rescue operations.

 

We have been on red alert since Saturday," Arevalo said in an interview on dzBB radio, adding they have learned some lessons from responding to victims of flooding caused by past cyclones including Ondoy(Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma).

He said they are particularly waiting for calls to preposition especially in the Cagayan-Aparri area, where Ramil is expected to hit.

 

Arevalo admitted that Navy personnel have been strained and their resources are getting thin after the efforts they exerted in the last two cyclones.

 

In the meantime, he said they are preparing their equipment and vehicles, including choppers, Islander planes, 18 M-35 trucks, 18 rubber boats, and amphibious vehicles and trucks.

 

Looming disaster

Ramil is threatening to batter Luzon even as the residents there are still grappling with the deadly aftermath of storm Ondoy which struck on Sept. 26 and triggered the worst flooding in Manila in over 40 years.

 

Ondoy was followed last Oct. 3 by typhoon "Pepeng,", which lingered for a week, drenching northern mountain provinces and causing landslides that buried many homes.

 

The two storms killed 773 people and inundated the homes of more than 7 million. Hundreds were still in emergency shelters in landslide-hit Benguet province, 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of the capital, Manila, when news of the new typhoon spread.

 

About 20 tons of rice, canned sardines and noodles were being packed and will be delivered to far-flung mountain townships in advance in case landslides again cut off transport in Benguet, a gold-mining and vegetable-producing region of more than 300,000 people, disaster-response officer Olive Luces said.

 

RAMIL, which was almost stationary at 1,060 kilometers off the northern Philippine coast, could clip the northern Philippines on Wednesday or veer toward Taiwan. Metropolitan Manila, which enjoyed sunny weather Sunday, will likely be spared, Pagasa said. - AP and GMANews.TV

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UPDATE OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA on 19 October 2009

 

Asia-Pacific Disasters Children's Appeal

 

(source: http://www.unicef.org.uk/emergency/emergency_detail.asp?emergency=62)

 

In the last week of September, three separate natural disasters hit the Asia-Pacific region: Typhoon KETSANA, which caused flooding in the PHILIPPINES capital MANILA and later hit VIETNAM and CAMBODIA, the SAMOA tsunami, which affected American Samoa, SAMOA and TONGA, and the SUMATRA earthquake, which caused devastation in INDONESIA.

 

Sumatra earthquake

 

On 30 September, two earthquakes struck off the coast of West Sumatra. Over 1,000 people are now known to have died and a further 1,000 are missing. A semblance of normality is starting to return to the city but hopes of finding more quake survivors, especially in remote villages, are fading. Rescue workers continue to arrive but heavy rain and collapsed buildings are hindering their work.

 

UNICEF estimates that up to 180,000 children have been affected, and is working to provide assistance for up to 50,000 families. This includes supplying water pumps, water storage equipment, jerry cans, hygiene kits, soap and toothbrushes. We are also providing protective services and safe places for children and have supplied 250 school tents, 60 schools-in-a-box kits and recreational kits to support the return to school of nearly 70,000 children.

 

Much remains to be done and UNICEF needs more than £1.5 million to support immunisation campaigns to prevent the outbreak of disease, to re-establish clean water and sanitation and to ensure that children who have lost their parents are adequately cared for in their communities.

 

PHILIPPINES floods

 

On 26 September, Typhoon Ketsana hit Manila, capital of the Philippines, deluging it with 45 cm (18 inches) of rain in 12 hours. A state of calamity has been declared and the Philippines Government has appealed for immediate international assistance. The death toll of the storm, known locally as ‘Ondoy’, has risen to over 300. More than 3 million people have been affected, with about 200,000 sheltering in evacuation centres. Over 1 million of these are children.

 

UNICEF is calling for £8 million in funds to respond to the disaster. The priority needs are food, drinking water, household items, bedding, and clothing. There is also an urgent need for water, sanitation, hygiene and health care. Access to the worst-affected areas and the restoration of water services and electricity will require extensive clearing operations. We also need to return schools being used as evacuation centres to their original purpose and provide education and protection to displaced and affected children.

 

So far, UNICEF has supplied £90,000 worth of food and other items, via the Department of Social Welfare and Development. We have also distributed hygiene kits, essential medicines, water purification tablets, portable toilets and family kits containing blankets and soap.

 

Samoa tsunami

 

On 29 September, American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga were hit by a tsunami, following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake striking of the coast of Samoa. Over 170 people have been killed in the three countries. In Samoa alone, up to 15,000 people have been affected, 9,000 of them children. Of these, 6,500 people, including up to 4,000 children, have been forced to leave their homes. It is reported that 40 villages have been affected, 20 of which were completely destroyed.

 

UNICEF is calling for £125,000 to fund the emergency response. We have already sent urgent immunisation supplies to Samoa and Tonga to guard against the outbreak of disease, along with supplies of oral rehydration salts and water purification tablets. We are planning to set up nutrition, water and sanitation programs and are working with Samoa and Tongan partners to provide protection for women and children.

 

Find out more

Donate now to our Asia-Pacific Disasters Children's Appeal

Fundraise for the Asia-Pacific Disasters

Read the latest news on these natural disasters

View a photo gallery of children affected by the disasters

View a photo gallery of the Sumatra eathquake

Audio: UNICEF's response to flooding in Manila

Audio: Preparing for natural disasters in the Philippines to a friend

 

©2009 UNICEF UK Registered Charity No:1072612

 

Current emergencies: Asia-Pacific Disasters Childrens Appeal

 

 

UNICEF rapid response team on the ground in Samoa

 

News item 06 October 2009 (the contents still apply)

 

A team of six emergency personnel is currently conducting rapid assessments in SAMOA to ensure that the urgent needs of children are met following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Pacific Island nation on Tuesday, September 29.

 

UNICEF Pacific Representative, Dr. Isiye Ndombi said “From experience, UNICEF knows that in an emergency children are the most affected. It is therefore essential they have access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and are able to resume education.”

 

Our key relief priorities and response are in the areas of water and sanitation, health, education and protection,” he said.

 

 

Children displaced by the floods in the Philippines are living in schools rather than attending classes

 

UNICEF delivers life-saving gift after Indonesia earthquake (News item 09 October 2009)

 

The children and families in the Agam district of Indonesia’s West Sumatra experienced not one massive natural disaster last week but three successive blows.

 

First, on 30 September, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter-scale destroyed most of the houses at the small hamlet nestled in the mountainous surroundings of Maninjau Lake. Then an aftershock caused the limestone cliffs to cave in. Later, several nights of torrential rain triggered a landslide burying the remaining rubble in a deluge of mud.

 

Today, the quake survivors received some of the 40,000 hygiene kits being rushed by UNICEF to the province, each containing soap, detergent, toothbrush, tooth paste, towels and buckets, and all vital to staving off disease.

 

UNICEF's FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE SITUATION IN WEST SUMATRA 5 Oct.2009

 

Angela Kearney, UNICEF’s Representative in Indonesia, describes the situation in Pariaman, WEST SUMATRA, following the recent earthquake.

 

"I've travelled to the Pariaman province in West Sumatra to visit a village 70km outside of PADANG CITY. This area was one of the worst affected by the recent earthquake that shook Indonesia and shattered the lives of thousands of children here. As UNICEF’s Representative for Indonesia, I'm here to talk to the families affected by the disaster and to ensure that UNICEF’s aid relief is working.

"Ironically Pariaman means 'safe area', but it is painfully clear on arrival that the recent earthquake has brought DEVASTATION and RUIN to the local residents. Buildings are destroyed, families are homeless and daily life has been brought to a standstill.

 

 

Nearly 70,000 children return to classes after earthquake 5 October 2009

 

Less than one week after a major earthquake devastated the Indonesia province of WEST SUMATRA, nearly 70,000 children have returned to classes in the city of Padang, according to local education authorities, as UNICEF rushed school supplies to the region.

 

UNICEF facilitates return to school for children in Padang, Sumatra

 

UNICEF's firsthand account of the situation in Samoa

 

UNICEF mobilises nearly £1 million in aid for Asia-Pacific disasters

 

UNICEF Pacific mobilises support for children in Samoa and Tonga

 

http://www.unicef.org.uk/press/news_detail.asp?news_id=1391

 

___________________

 

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS / ICRC

 

Heavy rains, flash floods, storms and landslides continue to cause widespread devastation in many Asian countries. Across South and East Asia, volunteers and staff from the Red Cross and Red Crescent have been responding to the disasters by helping rescue people, distributing emergency relief and providing essential services, such as health care and clean water.

 

This year's destruction comes following three particularly harsh storm and flood seasons in 2006, 2007 and 2008, which left many poor residents struggling to recover.

 

http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/response/asia-floods/index.asp

____

 

PHILIPPINES:

With two events in Washington D.C., world-renowned singer-stage actress Lea Salonga managed to raise $19,000 (P889,200) for victims of tropical cyclones “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and “Pepeng" (Parma).

 

DSWD vows ‘politico-proof’ distribution of relief goods

 

Pagasa eyes raising storm signals starting Tuesday noon

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATE OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA on 19 October 2009

 

UPDATES FROM GMANews.TV

 

 

EVACUATE WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME, NLUZON RESIDENTS TOLD

 

Residents in northern Luzon provinces, particularly those living in landslide-prone areas, are being advised to evacuate this early and not wait for typhoon “RAMIL" (international name LUPIT) to make landfall, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also heads the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

He said the advice specially goes to residents of Benguet and Mt. Province due to their mountainous terrain.

 

The two provinces, including the popular mountain resort city of Baguio, were the worst-hit by landslides at the height of typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma) two weeks ago, killing more than 300 people and cutting off many areas from outside supplies and relief efforts due to road closures.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday said RAMIL would probably wreak havoc on the same areas that were battered by Pepeng.

 

“The mayors should identify the safe places in their areas [to evacuate the residents]," Teodoro said.

 

In preparation for Ramil, which is expected to make landfall this Thursday, the government has started pre-positioning relief goods and search and rescue assets in areas that are likely to be hit by the typhoon.

“We have reinforced our food stocks especially in areas that are in danger of being cut off like Batanes, Cagayan Valley," Teodoro said.

 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), for its part, has placed its units in North Luzon under blue alert status, the second highest in the military’s three-tiered alert level system.

 

“We have pre-positioned our different units in areas where rescue operations may be needed. We are now on blue alert for the possible arrival of typhoon Ramil," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner.

 

“Our rubbers boats are pre-positioned. The Navy and then the Air Force are also making their own actions to position their aircraft on possible areas [that may be hit by Ramil]," he added. - GMANews.TV

 

 

‘RAMIL’ LIKELY TO HIT AREAS BATTERED BY 'PEPENG' - PAGASA (10/19/2009 | 08:50 PM )

 

The state weather forecaster on Monday expressed fears that typhoon "RAMIL" (international name: LUPIT) will probably wreak havoc on the same areas that were battered by typhoon "Pepeng" (Parma) two weeks ago.

 

In an interview with GMA News, Nathaniel Cruz, weather bureau chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Ramil" continued to move towards "extreme northern Luzon," which covers the provinces of Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Batanes.

 

"It's cause for concern because the tools we use really show the increased possibility of 'RAMIL' hitting northern LUZON," Cruz said in a separate phone interview.

 

As of 4 p.m. Monday, "RAMIL" was sighted 1,070 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and packing peak winds of 195 km per hour (kph), with gusts of up to 230 kph. It is forecasted to move west northwest at 17 kph.

 

Cruz said the current cyclone is much stronger than "PEPENG" that reached peak winds of 175 kph.

In a press conference, Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo said “RAMIL’s" strength could even intensify into 200 kph before it makes landfall in Cagayan province on Thursday morning or afternoon. “We expect it to gather strength," Nilo said.

 

Cruz said if "Ramil" would not change its course, the storm will slam into the provinces of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, and will also affect the provinces of Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, and Pangasinan.

 

People in these areas can expect bad weather especially on Thursday as the typhoon approaches. Based on our estimates, it's possible that starting tomorrow [Tuesday] afternoon cloudiness and rains will be felt in the two areas of eastern Luzon especially Cagayan Valley. – Aie Balagtas See and Sophia M. Dedace,

GMANews.TV

 

 

RAMIL SUSTAINS STRENGTH, HEADS FOR NLUZON SLOWLY

 

"RAMIL" (international name: LUPIT) maintained its strength as its moves northwest slowly toward Northern Luzon, state weather forecasters said Monday noon.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief Prisco Nilo said the typhoon might affect the Cagayan-Isabela area starting late Wednesday even as its landfall is expected Thursday morning.

 

Citing information from their instruments, Nilo said the effects of the typhoon will likely be felt late Wednesday in the Cagayan-Isabela area.

 

PAGASA EYES RAISING STORM SIGNALS STARTING TUESDAY NOON

 

State weather forecasters do not expect to raise storm warning signals over any area in Luzon threatened by typhoon "Ramil" (Lupit) until Tuesday noon.

 

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief Prisco Nilo said Monday that rains may start falling over the eastern part of Northern Luzon Tuesday.

 

We do not expect Ramil' to have any effect on the country until Tuesday noon," Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

Nilo said the cyclone remains on course to make landfall on extreme Northern Luzon, likely in Northern Cagayan.

 

On the other hand, Pagasa forecaster Ben Oris said the typhoon has started moving again, and is heading for provinces in North Luzon. It is heading for Northern Luzon, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos and La Union," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

RED CROSS / RED CRESCENT OVERVIEW OVER RELIEF WORK IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

 

 

INDIA: Hidden dangers in murky waters - News story 15/10/2009

 

Decreasing the Destructiveness of Disasters is our only choice - Opinion piece 14/10/2009

 

INDONESIA: Helping those who need it most - News story 13/10/2009

 

Aid flown into SUMATRA, but PHILIPPINES needs more help - Press release 12/10/2009

 

INDONESIA: SUMATARAquake: Aid worker's diary VII - News story 12/10/2009

 

INDONESIA: Searching for loved ones - News story 09/10/2009

 

INDONESIA:SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary VI - News story 09/10/2009

 

INDONESIA earthquakes: Red Cross Red Crescent appeal revised to 19 million Swiss francs - Press release 08/10/2009

 

SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary - News story 08/10/2009

 

SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary IV - News story 07/10/2009

 

SAMOA: Hands and feet of tsunami response - News story 06/10/2009

 

SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary III - News story 06/10/2009

 

ASIA disasters: Four urgent appeals now seek 18 million Swiss francs - Press release 05/10/2009

 

SAMOA: Humanitarian diary - News story 05/10/2009

 

SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary II - News story 05/10/2009

 

VIETNAM Humanitarian Diary - News story 05/10/2009

 

ASIA Disasters: Two Urgent Appeals launched for 8 million Swiss francs - Press release 03/10/2009

 

Humanitarian diary: SAMOA News story 02/10/2009

 

VIETNAM: From water everywhere to mud everywhere - News story 02/10/2009

 

We need a global strategy to deal with natural disasters - News story 02/10/2009

 

INDONESIA: Double quake rocks WESTERN SUMATRA - News story 01/10/2009

 

Four deadly disasters strike ASIA PACIFIC - Press release 30/09/2009

 

Red Alert for Red Cross as strong quake and tsunami batters SAMOA - News story

30/09/2009

 

VIETNAM: Lives saved, livelihoods destroyed - News story 30/09/2009

 

VIETNAM: Bracing for typhoon KETSANA - News story 29/09/2009

 

Typhoon KETSANA: Rescue teams save hundreds in Metro MANILA as VIETNAM prepares for the worst - News story 28/09/2009

 

Philippines: Rescue teams save hundreds from floods in MANILA - News story 27/09/2009

 

‘H2P’ expands to include VIETNAM - News story 23/09/2009

 

INDONESIA: Creating evacuation routes - News story 17/09/2009

 

Swift aid to survivors of ferry accident - News story 07/09/2009

 

SUMATRA quake: Aid worker's diary I - News story 05/09/2009

 

SRI LANKA: “Binning” farewell to disaster - News story 04/09/2009

 

INDONESIA: Red Cross volunteers respond to WEST JAVA earthquake - News story

03/09/2009

 

MALDIVES tsunami survivors move back to “beloved island” - News story 28/08/2009

 

MALDIVIAN Red Crescent rises from the Tsunami - News story 18/08/2009

 

Red Cross supports search and rescue effort as hundreds remain missing in TAIWAN - News story 17/08/2009

 

Red Cross races to help typhoon survivors in East Asia - News story 14/08/2009

 

Community Recovery and Reconstruction Partnership (CRRP) boost living standards in eastern Sri Lanka - News story 13/08/2009

 

Red Cross responds as typhoon Morakot cuts across East Asia - News story 10/08/2009

 

Help on hand for survivors of TONGAN ferry tragedy - News story 06/08/2009

 

Red Cross Red Crescent complete 44,000 new homes for tsunami survivors - News story 05/08/2009

 

INDONESIA: Toilets and tap stands change lives in Nias - News story 30/07/2009

 

NEPAL: Diarrhoea outbreak kills hundreds - News story 29/07/2009

 

PAKISTAN: uncertainty and insecurity linger with IDPs - News story 28/07/2009

 

MONGOLIA diary – Sanitation and learning key to flood recovery - News story 27/07/2009

 

MONGOLIA Diary – Assistance vital when disaster strikes the most vulnerable - News story 24/07/2009

 

MONGOLIA Diary – relief arrives, but clean-up deferred - News story 22/07/2009

 

PAKISTAN: Amidst growing heat, relief emerges - News story 21/07/2009

 

INDONESIA: Volunteers respond to hotel bombings - News story 17/07/2009

 

SRI LANKA: Reducing the risk of dengue - News story 17/07/2009

 

BANDA ACEH: From survivor to volunteer - News story 13/07/2009

 

CHINA: Red Cross brings relief after floods - News story 07/07/2009

 

PAKISTAN: the worsening plight of displaced children - News story 30/06/2009

 

BANGLADESH: IFRC calls for 2.35 million Swiss francs to help nearly 37,000 families - News story 26/06/2009

 

Red Cross builders brace for PHILIPPINE storms - News story 26/06/2009

 

SRI LANKA: A taste of success - News story 26/06/2009

 

The Red Cross at work in NEPAL speech 24/06/2009

 

 

http://www.ifrc.org/news/press.asp

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 20 OCTOBER 2009

 

 

WATERWAY SETTLERS BRACE FOR BOTH 'RAMIL' AND DEMOLITION

 

(by JUN VERZOLA with GMA NEWS RESEARCH10/20/2009 | 05:05 AM )

 

 

As typhoon RAMIL, the fourth typhoon to enter the country in 30 days, starts to threaten LUZON, nearly 108,000 urban poor families living as “informal settlers" along Metro Manila waterways are unsure which disaster will befall them first.

 

Will it be another monster flood rushing across their makeshift communities? Or will it be forced evacuation and eventual relocation under a government program aimed at clearing the clogged waterways of the metropolis?

 

In the wake of the double-whammy cyclones “ONDOY"and “PEPENG" that hit the country since late September, President Arroyo had ordered the forced relocation of urban poor communities living near waterways and other danger areas in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

 

In particular, the disastrous killer floods that engulfed wide swaths of Metro MANILA at the height of “ONDOY" brought again to the fore the long-standing question about the role of these urban poor communities. The shanty-towns and their garbage block the flow of water, thus worsening the impact of typhoons, so goes the criticism.

 

 

EXTENT OF INFORMAL SETTLERS ALONG METRO WATERWAYS

Growing urban poor populations live in the numerous nooks and crannies of Metro MANILA – that much is true.

 

According to records of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), 544,609 families in Metro Manila are considered informal settlers as of September 2007 – the latest data so far. The number includes those families living in danger zones, government lands and private lands, and represents about 21 percent of the 2.6 million households in Metro Manila.

 

Of this figure, 107,997 families (19.83 percent) live in danger zones, particularly along the rivers, creeks, tidewater estuaries (esteros) and other waterways, as well as along railways, roadways or sidewalks and aqueducts, and under bridges.

 

Many waterways also teem with informal settlers. The Manggahan Floodway – a flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways built in 1986 to absorb the excess water from Marikina River and divert it to Laguna Lake – is host to at least 1,800 informal-settler families, based on an MMDA FCMS estimate.

 

GMA News Research identified 291 barangays that are at great risk from flooding due to their proximity to clogged drainage. The barangays have a population of more than 3 million residents as of the 2007 census.

 

Metro Manila barangays are at risk due to flooding.

 

Even before “ONDOY," Mrs. Arroyo had issued Executive Order No. 803 on June 19, 2009, creating the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee for Informal Settlers (MMIAC). The MMIAC is tasked with overseeing the relocation and housing program for informal settlers in Metro Manila.

 

The government realizes that it would need at least P30 billion in 10 years to relocate the half-million-plus informal settlers in Metro Manila. But for now, the MMDA and other agencies are focusing on urban poor communities along the waterways.

 

DPWH officials also said recently that the clearing of waterways would be carried out not just in Metro Manila but in other flood-prone areas of the country.

 

Meliton Juanico, an environmental planner and chairman of the Department of Geography at the University of the Philippines Diliman, stresses the importance of relocating the families living in the danger zones because “they hamper the free flow of our drainage."

 

Professor Juanico wants to give particular focus to monitoring easements, or strips of open land on both sides of a river bank. He says that in urban areas, the required easement under the Water Code is three meters on either side of the river bank, where there should be no building or establishment.

 

The laws that we have are very lax. These laws are good but they are not being implemented, and also not being evaluated," he says.

 

The UP professor mentions the Tullahan River, Diliman Creek, Culiat Creek, San Juan River, Taguig River, and Marikina River as among the waterways that should be cleared of informal settlers to lessen flooding.

"In early times, Manila was being flooded too, but during those times, no people lived along the rivers’ ebb so the water flowed smoothly, and was easy to drain," he says.

Juanico ads that Mrs. Arroyo’s directive on the relocation of informal settlers is nothing new, (but what is lacking is) political will on the part of local governments.

 

For me, the powers of MMDA and LLDA must be expanded. The approach to the problem of informal settlers should really be wholistic, inter-town, and must involve all parties concerned with the Marikina watershed.

 

An alternative view

The urban poor communities that stand to be ejected from the said “danger zones" would like to offer another view.

“Technically, there is nothing wrong with the relocation of the families living along the areas that the government deems as danger zones," says Jon Vincent Marin, spokesman of the urban-poor group Kadamay, in an interview by online news site Bulatlat.

 

Urban poor organizations recognize the direct threat that typhoons bring to them, Marin says, but relocation is not enough. “If they will be relocated to areas where there are no social services and job opportunities, then there is something wrong with the relocation," he says.

 

Marin insists that most relocated families would eventually return to the metropolis and live along the riverbanks and waterways, because conditions in the relocation areas are worse than along Metro Manila’s congested waterways.

 

“We should all remember that the poor communities living along the riverbanks and waterways are only there because of poverty, lack of job opportunities, livelihoods, and social services," he said. “They are not dust that the government can sweep under the rug."

 

Another urban poor leader affiliated with the women’s group Gabriela said, “If the victims are relocated to an area, but without livelihood and social services, it is no different from a calamity hitting the victims again." - GMANews.TV with GMA News Research

 

 

PAGASA: ‘RAMIL’ TO HIT 4 PROVINCES; 7 AREAS UNDER SIGNAL 1 (10/20/2009 | 08:07 AM )

 

At least four provinces in Northern Luzon may be hit hardest by typhoon “RAMIL" (LUPIT) when it makes landfall later this week, state weather forecasters said Tuesday.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed seven areas under Signal No. 1 as the cyclone drew near North Luzon Tuesday.

"Based on our data as of this morning, it will likely hit Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte and Batanes," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

Also, Nilo said RAMIL will be more powerful than tropical cyclone “PEPENG" (PARMA), which devastated Northern Luzon and lingered around the area for a week, making landfall three times.

 

Earlier, Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council head Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called on those living in risk-areas in northern Luzon provinces to evacuate already before it’s too late.

 

The warning was specifically addressed to residents in landslide-prone areas in Benguet and Mt. Province in the mountainous Cordillera region.

 

The two provinces, including the popular mountain resort city of Baguio, were the worst-hit by landslides at the height of typhoon Pepeng two weeks ago. The typhoon killed more than 300 people and isolated many areas due to road closures and destroyed infrastructure.

 

Preparing for Ramil’s imminent onslaught, local government units, local disaster coordinating units and various national government agencies are bracing for the typhoon.

 

MORE POWERFUL THAN ONDOY, PEPENG

 

In the radio interview, Nilo said typhoon Pepeng had winds of 175 kph when it made landfall while storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana), which came a week earlier, had winds of 85 kph. But the approaching RAMIL has winds of 195 kph near the center.

 

"Ramil is more powerful than the two cyclones preceding it, with rains estimated at 20 to 25 milliliters per hour. It can cause floods and landslides," he said.

 

However, he said there is still a chance Ramil would change course and head for Taiwan.

 

Pagasa forecaster Arnel Gonzales said that while their data shows Ramil is likely to make landfall in Cagayan province Thursday, atmospheric conditions could still cause the cyclone to go to Taiwan.

 

Gonzales also said that it is possible Ramil would turn into a super-typhoon once its winds near the center reach 215 kph or higher.

 

Atmospheric factors change so its track may still change," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

RAMIL's LOCATION

In its 5 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said Ramil maintained its strength as it continues to move toward Northern Luzon.

 

As of 4 a.m., it was estimated at 890 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

 

Ramil is forecast to move west at 17 kph and be 560 km east-northeast of Aparri in Cagayan by Wednesday morning, and 160 km east northeast of Aparri Thursday morning.

 

By Friday morning it is expected to be 40 km west of Laoag City.

 

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, and Isabela.

 

Meanwhile, Pagasa said the whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

 

METRO MANILA MUST PREPARE, TOO

 

Pagasa weather bureau Chief Nathaniel Cruz said that METRO MANILA might not be spared from the effects of RAMIL, as the cyclone might have an “event radius" of about 500 kilometers.

 

In an interview on dzBB on Monday, he asked outdoor advertisers in Metro Manila to put down their billboards. That could be part of our preparations.

The National Capital Region must prepare for powerful winds, and that large billboards must be put down as they might pose a danger if they collapsed, he added.

 

REGIONAL PREPARATIONS

Meanwhile, Northern Luzon officials continued to prepare for Ramil’s onslaught. In Ilocos Norte, Laoag City Mayor Michael Fariñas said he has held a staff meeting in the provincial government, to ensure enough relief goods are stockpiled.

 

In Benguet, authorities preemptively evacuated families to avoid a repeat of the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Pepeng, according to a report on dwIZ radio. Several residents in Benguet were killed after being buried in landslides caused by Pepeng.

 

The Philippine Air Force said it continues to airlift relief items to Northern Luzon in preparation for Ramil.

“Our role is more of transportation. We had transported relief goods to Batanes," PAF spokesman Col. Gerardo Zamudio Jr. said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

Meanwhile, while government prepares material resources to head off possible loss of life, Church officials in Bicol made their preparations through prayer.

 

The Legazpi Diocese in Albay published an “Oratio Imperata" (obligatory prayer) as a full-page ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.

It said the prayer is to be recited at mass after communion.

 

“We turn to you our loving father and beg forgiveness for our sins ... We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earnied possessions, be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made," the prayer said. - GMANews.TV

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PHILIPPINES NEWS from GMA News.TV

 

 

FOOD FINALLY ARRIVE IN ISOLATED ISLANDS OFF CAGAYAN

(by FLORO TAGUINOD, GMANews.TV10/20/2009 | 04:44 PM)

 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – FOOD and other RELIEF SUPPLIES have at last reached islands off Cagayan province that were isolated by typhoon “Pepeng," just in time before the expected arrival of another typhoon.

 

Russian military helicopters came to the islands of Babuyan Claro and Calayan to deliver relief goods to hungry residents Monday, officials said. The giant helicopters commissioned by the United Nations were sent to the islands upon the request of officials in Cagayan.

 

Earlier, Bonifacio Cuarteros of Cagayan’s Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), expressed fear that food and medical supplies in the islands of Fuga, Babuyan Claro, Batanes and Calayan have become scarce due to lack of means to transport relief goods to the said islands.

 

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), typhoon RAMIL, which originated from the central Pacific islands, could strike the northeastern tip of Luzon and the Batanes Islands Tuesday night.

 

According to Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis, there are only small motorized boats available in his island but doubted if it can weather the already rough seas which was made even turbulent by the inclement weather. He said that their two big boats which are only a two-tonner and a three-tonner will take at least 16 hours of sea travel to reach Aparri and back. Travel time from Babuyan Claro to Santa Ana is almost the same. Even then, the mayor was not sure if it can survive battering waves since the islands are situated where the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea intersect.

 

Initial efforts by the PDCC, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy (PN), to distribute food and medical supplies to the islands were not very successful due to aging sea vessels.

 

Some 1,200 residents in Babuyan Claro received packs of food but it was only good for some 500 individuals.

 

According to Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director, the airlifted supplies flown-in by Russian piloted helicopters to Babuyan Claro, consisted of FOOD and other BASIC NEEDS.

 

More sorties are simultaneously conducted by the Russian pilots in remote Fuga and Calayan. The relief assistance also included blankets, kitchen utensils and toiletries.

“We will be able to deliver goods for some 1,200 families in Calayan and 451 families in Fuga," he said adding that some 500 food packs came from Malacañang, while the rest were from an American religious group called the Samaritans.

 

The helicopters arrived in Tuguegarao City on Friday and carried a total of 13,000 kilograms of relief goods. The operations staging point is in Claveria town. - GMANews.TV

 

 

PAGASA: 'RAMIL' TO BE FELT TUESDAY NIGHT; SIGNAL 2 IN 5 AREAS - 10/20/2009 | 12:16 PM

 

The effects of typhoon "Ramil" (Lupit) will be felt starting Tuesday evening as the cyclone approaches the northern Luzon area, which is still recovering from the destruction caused by successive weather disturbances the past three weeks.

 

In a radio interview, Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa), said storm signals have been hoisted over 15 areas in northern Luzon. Under signal no. 2 are the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan province, Calayan Islands, and Isabela province. Areas placed under signal no. 1 are the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, and Polillo Island.

 

In the same radio interview, Cruz said the effects of Ramil could be felt as early as Tuesday night, as it is expected to hover on Cagayan province, then over Apayao, then Ilocos Norte, before exiting to the South China Sea.

 

Although Ramil is only passing through northern Luzon, weather for the rest of the island (Luzon) would be likewise affected, he added.

 

Articles on Samoa a little later

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http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem / The following 3 articles from American Red Cross about the situation in SAMOA:

 

JUMPSTART KITS ARRIVE IN AMERICAN SAMOA (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)

 

On Saturday, American Red Cross Jumpstart Kits arrived in American Samoa, an area that is recovering from the September 29 tsunami. The kit has items to help disaster victims with their short-term, immediate requirements, as well as aid for the long term. Each kit contains two blankets, a combination hand-crank radio, flashlight and cell phone charger, a mesh laundry bag, a first aid kit, note pad and pen, work gloves, face masks and a bath-in-a-bag all in one convenient, durable Red Cross backpack. Diapers, baby formula, towels, brooms and feminine hygiene products—all of which are in short supply on the island also arrived Saturday evening. The delivery included bolts of fabric that could be cut into lava-lava—the traditional skirt-like garment that is worn by men and women on American Samoa.

 

There are more than 300 workers from the American Red Cross, representing chapters on American Samoa, Hawaii and across the U.S. mainland, providing assistance to those affected by the tsunami. The workers have distributed the new supplies to villages across American Samoa, along with tuna, rice, noodles and water.

 

AMERICAN SAMOA's CHILDREN GIVEN SAFE SPACE TO LAUGH AGAIN - Monday, October 19, 2009

 

In a corner of the convention center on American Samoa, little girls sat down with crayons and paper under the watchful eyes of American Red Cross workers and drew pictures of their homes.

“One drew a cat on top of her house with water all around it,” said Red Cross worker Susannah Fulling of St. Louis. “One drew a picture of sharks and fish all around her house. They didn’t say this is a drawing of my house in the tsunami (but) I think that’s their way of expressing their fear.”

Fuller is among 300 workers from Red Cross chapters in American Samoa, Hawaii and the U.S. mainland who have joined other relief workers to help those affected by the September 29 tsunami.

 

The American Red Cross has teamed with partner organizations to specifically address the needs of children after disasters, whether for physical safety, specialized food and clothing, or attention to mental health and spiritual care.

 

On American Samoa, the Red Cross and Save the Children - a partner organization for more than two years—stocked and staffed a “Safe Space” play area in the convention center where families lined up to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.Catholic Charities, a long-time partner of the Red Cross, is sorting and distributing clothing donations. Red Cross workers are repackaging specialty supplies that arrived over the weekend, including diapers, baby formula, school supplies and Mickey Mouse dolls.

And Red Cross specialists in mental health and spiritual care are working with members of the faith-based community on American Samoa, helping children from preschool to high school deal with the loss of family members and classmates who were among the reported 34 killed in the tsunami.

Elizabeth Cutter, an American Red Cross volunteer from Oak Park, Ill., saw children’s needs firsthand when she and other volunteers traveled to villages on American Samoa to build round tents, called yurts, to serve as temporary housing for families whose homes had been damaged or destroyed. The volunteers also gathered information about family size and necessities.

 

Early last week, Cutter, Fulling and Lindsey Stailing, all Red Cross volunteers as well as members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, left field work temporarily to work with children in the convention center. Work was actually play, as children and volunteers took up beach balls, blocks, tea sets and crayons.

 

“Most of us don’t ask about the tsunami, and that’s intentional,” Stailing said. “A few children were drawing pictures, and saying, ‘We miss Aunt So-and-so’ or ‘We miss Grandpa.’ That would bring them to talk about it.

 

“Two boys told their stories in a very serious way—very mature—and they were only 8 or 9. One was running away from the waves. Another was farther up the hill, and he watched the waves take out his church and his neighbor’s houses….They are very resilient.”

 

But even the most resilient may need additional help dealing with disaster. On American Samoa, six mental-health specialists and one spiritual care adviser from the American Red Cross are working with teachers, churches, parents and kids to help children recover. Within two weeks of arriving on American Samoa, the specialists met individually with almost 460 children, visited 13 classrooms and spoke at school assemblies attended by 2,200 students.

 

Washington state residents Tim Serban, Marysville, a Red Cross spiritual care adviser and mental-health worker Lyle O’Neal of Spokane spent last Thursday with 300 middle school students in the village of Aua, east of the American Samoa capital of Pago Pago.

 

“All of these kids were either at school or home at the time of the earthquake (that triggered the tsunami) and beneath a huge mountain with a nearly completely vertical drop,” Serban said in an e-mail. “Almost all saw a landslide happen as the sheer rocks fell….By the time the tsunami hit, most were safe high up on the mountain….No students were lost, but many have friends who lost homes or know at least two people who have died.”

 

Serban and O’Neal listened to children in Aua describe emotional aftershocks which are still causing sleepless nights so O’Neal suggested that children and adults plan their dreams. “Rather than simply letting thoughts and images of the earthquake and tsunami fill their minds just before bedtime, we suggest that they draw their favorite place or image or happy dream and put it under their pillows and, before they go to sleep, think about the happy picture,” Serban said.

 

He and O’Neal are scheduled to return to the school to find out if the dream planning helped, but Serban left the village with his own sense of peace: “When you spend your day with children,” he said, “you are renewed.”

 

 

RED CROSS STRIVES TO HELP DISASTER'S VULNERABLE POPULATION

 

Partner organizations lend a hand in caring for children after a disaster. Save the Children and Church of the Brethren Children’s Disaster Services have agreements with the Red Cross to assist children in shelters. The Red Cross sets up the shelter, Save the Children sets up special safe spaces for kids and provides art materials, books, games and toys, and Church of the Brethren provides workers to run supervised activities for the children.

 

For example, during the ongoing relief effort in AMERICAN SAMOA , the Red Cross and Save the Children worked together to set up a play area in the convention center where families lined up to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. Special supplies were sent in, including diapers, baby formula, dolls and school supplies. Red Cross mental health and spiritual care specialists helped children deal with the loss of family members and classmates.

 

To help those with disabilities, the Red Cross can install temporary ramps and set up accessible bathroom facilities if a shelter does not meet accessibility standards. Items such as wheelchair transferable cots and commode chairs are now stockpiled to be used when needed.

 

Today the Red Cross has more than 5,000 licensed mental health professionals who volunteer as part of the mental health response during a disaster. All Red Cross disaster workers are trained in psychological first aid to identify stress symptoms in children and adults. And plans are in the works for a new course to train people how to increase their own resilience in a disaster.

 

Fra: http://www.redcross.org / [email protected] - Tuesday, October 20, 2009

 

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=127c95bd89074210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

SAMOA

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASION ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

 

DANISH TV2 TEXT TV, p. 130: TREMENDOUS TYPHON THREATENING THE PHILIPPINES

 

The Philippines prepares for yet another typhoon named "LUPIT" which is threatening to hit the northern part of the Philippines tomorrow Thursday or Friday.

 

It has slowed down a bit and does not hit the Philippines today Wednesday as it had been previously announced based on calculations. But LUPIT has maintained its tremendous power that will cause substantial damage and devastation if it hits land.

 

"We are taking all possible measures to meet/cope with the typhoon and are prepared to take action wherever and whenever needed", so Grace Padaca who is the Governor of the northern province Isabella.

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CIVIC GROUP TO SET UP 50 MORE SHELTER BOXES IN N LUZON –

By Maria Elena Gonzales 10/22/2009 | 02:01 AM

 

BAGUIO CITY – In a bid to declog evacuation centers here, the Rotary Club wants to set up shelter boxes and is searching for sites here in the Cordillera region for setting up shelter boxes.

 

Rolando Villanueva, Rotary district governor of Region I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said his group has fifty more shelter boxes to be set up, and is eying the Atok area in Benguet and the Tadian area in Mountain Province.Each shelter box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.

 

Villanueva said each shelter box can provide emergency shelter needs for as many as 10 people if needed. “It is a temporary solution to declog the evacuation centers that we have," he added.

 

There are 87,700 affected families equivalent to 424,888 persons in CAR, while there are 16 existing official evacuation centers that house 310 families comprising 1,409 persons. La Trinidad has the most number of evacuation centers with seven, one each for Atok, Bokod and Itogon towns, five for Tublay, and one for Tadian in Mountain Province.

 

On the other hand, Villanueva said the club has been able to set up seven shelters at the Veterans area in Wangal, La Trinidad, 27 in Itogon town, and 24 in Tublay. The beneficiary families have been using the tents since.

 

There are 25 shelter boxes set up at the Benguet State University compound at the Strawberry Fields. These have remained empty, however, awaiting kitchen and bathroom provisions to be set up by the local government unit.

 

Villanueva said the recipients can use the tents for as long as they need it, adding that no pressure of return is being imposed. “We bring it to where the greatest of need is."

 

The ShelterBox, which supplies the said shelter boxes, is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide

 

“One tent costs $1,000," Villianueva said. - GMANews.TV

 

 

SUNNY WEATHER REPORTED IN CAGAYAN DESPITE RAMIL's APPROACH

 

by Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV - 10/21/2009 | 04:37 PM

 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Cagayan province experienced sunny weather on Wednesday despite warnings that typhoon Ramil would hit the northern part of the province late Thursday or early Friday.

 

But disaster management officials warned residents against complacency, saying it’s better to be prepared than to be sorry.

 

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Ramil (international name: Lupit) was spotted by weather forecasters at 510 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

 

As Ramil draws closer, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed northern Cagayan as well as Batanes and the Calayan and Babuyan Islands under storm Signal No. 3. The rest of Cagayan and the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela were under Signal No. 2.

 

In the regional center of Tuguegarao City, it was business as usual and some residents even expressed doubts that the feared typhoon would affect them at all.

 

In a phone interview at past noon on Wednesday, businesswoman Susan Gammad said that Tuguegarao’s temperature was hot and that the sun was up early.

 

“The students were sent home from school because Pagasa raised Storm Signal Number 2 here, and there is no sign of any disturbance," she told GMANews.TV.

 

Cadel Trilles of radio dzCV also told GMANews.TV that the province generally had sunny weather.

Nonetheless, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) told residents not to take things in stride.

 

OCD regional director Melchito Castro said that pre-emptive evacuation of residents living in low-lying areas of Cagayan and Isabela were going on and that the provincial government of Cagayan was getting ready for any eventuality.

 

GOOD WEATHER?

 

Castro said relief goods, rescue equipment and facilities have been readied by his agency in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils (PDCC).

 

“Let us not be deceived by the good weather," he said, stressing that storm signals are raised precisely because of oncoming weather anomalies.

 

 

The region has suffered heavy destruction in properties, agriculture and infrastructure from typhoon Pepeng, which slammed into Cagayan on Oct. 3 with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph.

 

 

Pepeng exited into the South China Sea the next day but returned twice to northern Luzon, bringing nonstop rains that caused DEADLY LANDSLIDES in BENGUET, BAGUIO and MOUNTAIN PROVINCE and DISASTROUS FLOODS in PANGASINAN.

 

 

Learning lessons from the experience, the OCD in the Cordillera region was also on heightened alert even if Pagasa raised only storm Signal No. 1 over Benguet, Baguio, Ifugao and Mountain Province.

 

Relief and rescue teams from Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija were also on alert for possible landslides especially in the Carranglan area bordering the two provinces.

 

In Dagupan City in Pangasinan, municipal social welfare development officer Asuncion Salcedo said evacuation centers around the city were ready to house evacuees, while some 5,000 relief goods have been repacked by personnel from the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council.

 

Meanwhile, PDCC officials in Cagayan announced that they will be coming out with a complete list of evacuees soon in compliance to the government’s zero-casualty program in times of calamities. - GMANews.TV

 

 

THE HAZARDS OF GIVING

 

by Ivan Mayrina - 10/21/2009 | 10:51 PM

 

Reporters are taught to maintain an emotional distance from the subjects we cover. But like dams, we have our spilling levels. In that flooded community, I was not able to steel myself against a SEA OF HUNGRY PEOPLE. TV reporter Ivan Mayrina feels the terror of distributing relief goods to a DESPERATE CROWD in Barangay Pinagbuhatan in PASIG in the wake of "ONDOY."

The words “hazard" and “giving" are not often used in the same sentence. But on the morning of September 30, 2009, I knew first-hand what a strange mix it indeed was.

 

It had been five days since tropical storm “Ondoy" dumped a month’s worth of rain in six hours, leaving many parts of Metro Manila in a sorry, submerged state. Covering Marikina City and neighboring Rizal province in the last four days, looking for post-“Ondoy" “face" stories, already felt like a year’s worth of heartbreaking stories.

 

We reporters were taught to maintain an emotional distance from the subjects we cover. But the devastation we were made to cover was too much. And like dams, we have our spilling levels.

 

My assignment was a relief distribution effort in Sitio Nagpayong in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. The city I knew mainly for its malls and the Ortigas business district was one of the areas badly hit by “Ondoy."

 

We tagged along the city government’s relief operations team, aboard a 6X6 military truck loaded with goods for the flood victims.

 

On the way to the area, I knew I was in for a good story. Sitio Nagpayong, bordering the towns of Taytay and Cainta in Rizal, was a depressed area and perennially flood-prone.

 

On top of that, help was on its way for the first time in five days.

 

So I kept my eyes wide open for possible angles. Should I go for another tear jerker? Or should I lighten up a bit? After all, it had been five days of crying. A brief light moment wouldn’t hurt.

 

The sitio was 10 kilometers away from the control base of the relief operations at Eusebio High School. The truck passed through roads where people waded through knee to waist-deep floods. And so I told my ever reliable cameraman Kim Sorra to watch out for creative modes of transport. “If it floats, then chances are you will find it in Pasig" was the mid-spiel running in my head.

 

Kim’s lens captured all that I needed: People on top of banana trunks tied together to form a makeshift raft. A floating rickshaw made up of plastic drums, a chair and a beach umbrella, manned by two chiseled bodies. Like cars, flood transport instantly had trims and variants. Economy and business class. Clever.

 

But that did not prepare me for what lay ahead.

 

Our truck cruised through the flooded streets, until it was getting harder and harder for us to proceed. Seeing that the truck carried relief goods, people blocked our way. But the goods were not for them—yet.

 

Journalists often encounter images that stand out and tell a story. What I saw were some of them. Instantly, I knew that my AV (audio-video package) would be full of ironic images.

 

Some people were selling stuff, but no one had the money to buy. People wanted to go back to work and make money, but couldn’t. People did not want to overcharge others for extraordinary transport services, but had to compensate for their own needs.

 

So the truck went on, literally inching its way through the streets to reach its destination.

 

We finally made our way to Sitio Nagpayong. The water was waist deep. Down I went, hoping to get the killer sound bites — audio clips from interviewees that drive home the point.

 

The best sound bites came when the first of about 800 relief bags were given out. People were restless, even rowdy. Gutom. Hungry.

 

Representatives of the city government, with Army escorts, tried to put some order into the distribution. But after a while, everyone knew it was impossible.

 

It was then that I felt PANIC. People swarmed our truck, climbing from all directions. For a moment there, I thought they could turn the truck over.

 

Some of them were pleading to be given one bag. But most had that determined look of a person who had been reduced to his most basic instincts.

 

It was then that I realized that giving is not as easy as it seems.

How does one set a standard in giving? hat will you consider? Age? Gender? What if all of them had been contending for days with the cold, fatigue, hunger and thirst?)

 

As reporters, we should maintain a safe, detached distance from the story—to facilitate our impartiality and insulate us from emotion. But I was not able to steel myself against that SEA OF HUNGRY PEOPLE, their eyes burning with eagerness to grab whatever was within reach.

 

There was an old woman slugging it out with others in the waiting crowd. When a bag thrown at the throng landed near her, she held it with all her might, as if her very survival depended on it.

 

There were many others like her, old people pounding the truck’s sides, begging. There were burly men cajoling. Some even carried small children.

 

When I could no longer ignore the hands and fingers poking my sides, asking for a bag, I grabbed some and gave them away.

 

We all felt safe as soon as we handed out the last bag of goods.

 

That day, I probably handed out 50 bags, fed 50 families. But I disappointed at least 50 more families. In the end, we didn’t have enough to give. - GMANews.TV

 

 

SIGNAL NO. 3 UP IN 4 AREAS AS ‘RAMIL’ MOVES CLOSER TO RP

 

by Sophia M. Dedace, GMANews.TV - 10/21/2009 | 01:55 PM

 

(As of 9 p.m.) The state weather bureau hoisted Storm Signal No. 3 at noon on Wednesday in the northernmost part of the Philippines as typhoon "Ramil" moved closer to the country.

 

Placed under Signal No. 3 were Cagayan, the Calayan and Babuyan islands, and Batanes.

 

Earlier in the day, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief Prisco Nilo said Ramil might make landfall on Friday or even spare the Philippines and head for Taiwan instead.

 

"At this time the probability is growing that Ramil may change course slightly and head for Taiwan," Nilo said early Wednesday morning.

 

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil was last spotted 455 kilometers east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.

 

Pag-asa placed under Signal No. 2 the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet and La Union.

 

Under Signal No. 1 were Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, northern Quezon, and Polilio islands.

 

Packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of 210 kph near the center, Ramil was spotted at 510 kilometers east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

 

It was moving west-southwest at 15 kph and was expected to be 190 km northeast of Aparri in Ilocos Norte on Thursday morning.

 

Pagasa weather sciences division chief Nathaniel Cruz said that if Ramil makes landfall, it would directly strike Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

 

The nearby provinces would be affected by Ramil’s winds," Cruz said in an interview on GMA’s Flash Report.

 

 

FOUR DAMS TO RELEASE WATER

 

To avoid a repeat of what happened two weeks ago when dams in northern Luzon faced the threat of overflowing due to non-stop rains spawned by typhoon “Pepeng," some dams have started releasing water since Sunday in preparations for Ramil's entry to the country.

 

On Wednesday, four major dams were still releasing water: Ambuklao Dam in Benguet, San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, and Magat Dam in Isabela.

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

THE SITUATION IN THE AMERICAN SAMOA

 

UPS PARTNERS WITH THE RED CROSS TO PROVIDE RELIEF

 

Thursday, October 22, 2009 — On Saturday, UPS delivered food and relief supplies to communities affected by the earthquake and tsunami in AMERICAN SAMOA. Additional supplies are scheduled to arrive in November by ocean freight.

 

The shipments by UPS, which is a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross, are supporting the ongoing relief efforts of the Red Cross in AMERICAN SAMOA in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck on September 29.

 

In addition to our annual contribution, one of the strengths UPS brings is using our network to position needed supplies to support local recovery efforts,” said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation. "By donating funds, coordinating volunteer activities and moving supplies, UPS has been able to help provide some relief to those in need.”

 

American Red Cross Jumpstart Kits were a part of this latest shipment to American Samoa. The kit has items to help disaster victims with their short-term, immediate requirements, as well as aid for the long term. Each kit contains two blankets, a combination hand-crank radio, flashlight and cell phone charger, a mesh laundry bag, a first aid kit, note pad and pen, work gloves, face masks and a bath-in-a-bag all in one convenient, durable Red Cross backpack.

 

Diapers, baby formula, towels, brooms and feminine hygiene products—all of which are in short supply on the island also arrived Saturday evening. The delivery included bolts of fabric that could be cut into lava-lava—the traditional skirt-like garment that is worn by men and women on American Samoa.

 

“Thanks to the generosity of our Annual Disaster Giving Program members, we are able to mobilize human and material resources at a moments notice to provide lifesaving services,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are critical during hurricane season and enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims before the first donation has been given. There are more than 300 workers from the American Red Cross, representing chapters on American Samoa, Hawaii and across the U.S. mainland, providing assistance to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:

 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

 

The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=e8f8da1ce2c74210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD#

 

 

UPS and the American Red Cross Team Up to Send Relief Flight to American Samoa

 

Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program Provide Support

 

National Headquarters

2025 E Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20006

http://www.redcross.org

 

Contact: Public Affairs Desk

FOR MEDIA ONLY

[email protected]

Phone: (202) 303-5551

 

WASHINGTON, Thursday, October 22, 2009 — UPS is delivering 70 tons of food and relief supplies to communities affected by the earthquake and tsunami in AMERICAN SAMOA, as a UPS relief flight has delivered the first payload to assist the ongoing recovery efforts, with additional supplies scheduled to arrive in November by ocean freight.

 

The shipments by UPS, which is a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross, are supporting the ongoing relief efforts of the Red Cross in AMERICAN SAMOA in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck on September 29.

When disaster strikes, the Red Cross mobilizes volunteers and supplies into affected areas to shelter, feed and provide mental health counseling to disaster victims and emergency personnel.

 

Thanks to the generosity of our Annual Disaster Giving Program members, we are able to mobilize human and material resources at a moments notice to provide lifesaving services,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are critical during hurricane season and enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims before the first donation has been given.”

 

Since the Annual Disaster Giving Program’s inception in 1997, members have pledged donations to the Red Cross in advance of major disasters to ensure an immediate response will meet the needs of people who are affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income. This year’s members provided more than $20 million in funding for the Disaster Relief Fund.

 

“In addition to our annual contribution, one of the strengths UPS brings is using our network to position needed supplies to support local recovery efforts,” said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation. "By donating funds, coordinating volunteer activities and moving supplies, UPS has been able to help provide some relief to those in need.”

 

Individuals can join forces with companies who are members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program and help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the recent earthquake and tsunami in AMERICAN SAMOA. Log-on to RedCross.org or call 1-800- RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

 

Other members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program include Altria Group, Inc., American Express, AXA Foundation, ConAgra Foods, FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Raytheon, Ryder Charitable Foundation, State Farm, State Street Foundation, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc. and UnitedHealthcare.

 

About The UPS Foundation

 

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation’s major initiatives include programs that support community safety, nonprofit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2008, The UPS Foundation donated $46.9 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

 

About the American Red Cross:

 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

 

'Ramil' slows down; Pagasa hints landfall delayed anew (10/22/2009 | 07:57 AM)

 

Typhoon "Ramil" (Lupit) slowed down anew Thursday and may not make landfall until at least this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

 

In its 5 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said Ramil would still be some 110 km east of Aparri in Cagayan by Sunday morning, given the cyclone’s present movement.

 

"‘Ramil’ slowed down from 15 kph to about 3 kph. So it will take longer before making landfall," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

When asked when "Ramil" will make landfall, he said, “it may make landfall MONDAY."

 

But he also said it is an indication the typhoon may eventually change course. He, however, did not elaborate.

 

On the other hand, Nilo said landfall may still occur during the weekend as it is also possible "Ramil" will again speed up within the day.

 

DIFFERENT PATHS

 

For its part, Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast indicated Ramil remains on course to make landfall in northeast Luzon.

 

The JMA's 5:40 a.m. (Manila time) forecast indicated it may even have an impact to as far as Central Luzon, with a storm warning area of 280 km.

 

Meanwhile, Pagasa said Ramil was moving west southwest "slowly" and may be 250 km east of Aparri in Cagayan Friday morning, and 180 km east of Aparri Saturday morning.

 

As of 4 a.m. Thursday, Pagasa said Ramil was about 350 km east northeast of Aparri with maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

 

Areas under storm signal No. 3 are Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Calayan Island, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, and Isabela.

 

Areas under storm signal No. 2, meanwhile, are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mt.

Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Aurora.

 

Those under signal No. 1 are Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Northern Quezon, and Polillo Islands.

 

"Northern Luzon will experience stormy weather while Central Luzon will have rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of the country will be cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," it said.

 

 

PREPARATIONS

 

Noting that people in flood- and landslide-prone areas are now more cooperative than before, Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr said that they are now ready for Ramil’s onslaught.

 

In an interview Thursday on dzXL radio, he said the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines have been tasked to guard the vacated areas against looters, as many families had refused to leave their homes before because of the threat of looting.

 

Also, Torres noted governors and mayors in northern Luzon had ordered evacuations in coastal areas, riverbanks and landslide-prone areas.

 

He said in a separate interview over GMA News' Unang Hirit that local disaster coordinating councils have identified the areas prone to floods and landslides.

 

"In every province and municipality, local coordinating councils have conducted hazard mapping to identify hazardous areas where landslides and flooding occur", he said.

 

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDCC said 37,123 firefighters, police and public works personnel have been pre-positioned in Luzon.

 

Last Tuesday, the Department Interior and Local Government issued a regional memorandum reiterating the government’s “Zero Casualty" policy.

 

In Cagayan Valley, the local Social Welfare Department forged an agreement with Smart Communications to set up a free communication system for families affected by Ramil.

 

In Cagayan, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported at least 50 families had been preemptively evacuated in Aparri town, after a seven-meter storm surge destroyed part of a breakwater.

 

Also, radio dzXL reported that some bus firms in Metro Manila had canceled trips to Cagayan since Wednesday night for fear their buses may be stranded due to winds, rains and floods. - GMANews.TV

 

 

Arroyo calls for PRAYERS as ‘RAMIL’ slows down and weakens

 

NDCC: FAMILIES IN DISASTER-PRONE AREAS NOW ‘MORE COOPERATIVE’

 

Families in areas at risk of floods and landslides are now “more cooperative" in leaving their homes in anticipation of the coming of typhoon “RAMIL" (LUPIT), disaster management authorities said.

 

RAMIL STILL CLOSE TO NORTH LUZON LANDFALL BUT MIGHT ALSO VEER AWAY

 

(10/22/2009 | 09:20 PM )

 

(Updated 11:34 p.m.) After doing a slow snake dance for several days across the Pacific on its way to Northern Luzon, now feinting north, now near-stationary, now driving west, Typhoon Ramil is still expected to hit land along the northern Luzon coast on Friday night or Saturday morning, the state weather bureau said in its latest weather bulletin. But other national agencies tracking the storm think it has started to veer away to the north or northeast.

 

Typhoon Ramil remained excruciatingly close to the northern Luzon coast, spotted at 150 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and slowly moving west, according to the 11 p.m. weather bulletin of the the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

 

The weather agency's chief forecaster Nathaniel Cruz said Ramil has further weakened to maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

 

 

Asked why the typhoon is weakening and slowing down, Cruz said this is due to two factors: the effect of its being close to a mountainous land mass, and the overall atmospheric environment in the area.

 

However, the Integrated Multi-Agency Tropical Cyclone Forecast map issued at 10:00 p.m. (Manila time) predicted that Ramil will tend to veer away from extreme northern Luzon in a northeasterly direction, toward Taiwan and the Ryukyu islands.

 

The multi-agency map combines the forecasts of six weather forecasting agencies: those of the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA), China’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC), and the joint Fujian-Taiwan China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Public storm signal No. 3 remains hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Calayan Island, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

 

Under signal No. 2 are Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Isabela, Abra, and Mountain Province.

 

Signal No. 1 now includes only Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and northern Aurora.

 

Public storm signals elsewhere have been lowered.

 

Pagasa likewise said that three dams continue to release water as of posting time, namely Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija and the Binga and Ambuklao dams in Benguet. – Andreo C. Calonzo and Jun Verzola, GMANews.TV

 

(For details about the current status of various dams, see: Status of Monitored Major Reservoirs in Luzon.)

 

 

RISING SEA LEVELS, BROWNOUTS MARK COMING OF ‘RAMIL’ (10/22/2009 | 11:25 PM)

 

Rising sea level that forced the evacuation of 65 families and power interruptions heralded the coming of typhoon "RAMIL" (international name LUPIT) in Cagayan Valley, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said Thursday night.

 

In its 6 p.m. report, the NDCC said some 65 families or 182 people were evacuated after a 20-meter seawall collapsed in San Antonio village in Aparri town Tuesday. The evacuees included 41 from Maura village and 24 from San Antonio village.

 

Sixteen families were preemptively evacuated from Pilig Abajo village in Cabagan town in Isabela province to the town gymnasium.

 

The NDCC also noted unscheduled power interruptions in areas managed by the Cagayan Electric Cooperative since 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) indicated "Ramil" may make landfall in Cagayan Friday after it accelerated Thursday afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, three dams in Northern Luzon - Ambuklao, Binga and Pantabangan - remained open as of 4 p.m., the NDCC said.

 

Ambuklao Dam kept four gates open, with water flowing at 29 cubic meters per second. Its reservoir water level was 740.98 meters, below the 752-meter spilling level.

 

Binga Dam kept one gate open with water flowing at 201 cubic meters per second. Its reservoir water level was at 571.85 meters, below the 575-meter spilling level.

 

Pantabangan Dam kept one gate open with water flowing at 200 cubic meters per second. The reservoir water level was at 218.35 meters, below the 221-meter spilling level.

 

Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, San Roque, Magat and Caliraya dams were closed as of 6 p.m. - GMANews.TV

 

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/175345/rising-sea-levels-brownouts-mark-coming-of-ramil

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

RED CROSS HELPING THE PHILIPPINES

 

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=5ba195bd89074210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD#

 

RED CROSS MOBILIZES RELIEF SUPPLIES AND VOLUNTEERS AHEAD OF PHILIPPINES TYPHOON

 

THIRD TYPHOON IN A MONTH threatens to cause more flooding and landslides in the Philippines

 

By Eric Porterfield, Sr. Press Officer, American Red Cross

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

As residents in the flood-weary Philippines continue to recover from two recent typhoons, another storm heads for the NORTHERN LUZON REGION. TYPHOON LUPIT is expected to make landfall as a category 1 or 2 storm on Thursday with wind speeds in excess of 110 mph.

 

Thousands of people are still living in evacuation centers, mostly schools, or living on the second floor of their homes as the first floor is still under water,” says Cristina Hammond, American Red Cross disaster specialist in the Philippines.

 

The PHILIPPINES RED CROSS STAFF and VOLUNTEERS who have been preparing for and responding to typhoons for four weeks are pre-positioning more relief supplies and putting specially trained search and rescue teams with rubber boats on standby prior to the typhoon’s landfall. The Red Cross operations center in Manila is working hand-in-hand with weather forecasters and running around the clock to plan before the storm.

 

Operations center staff are discussing how best to prepare and how to send reinforcements to help local staff and volunteers who are exhausted and that might also be affected by the storm,” adds Hammond.

 

Within the last month, two other storms have hit the Philippines. Typhoons KETSANA and PARMA caused severe flooding and landslides, affecting 6.3 million people and killing 773.

 

The AMERICAN RED CROSS has sent two disasters specialists and committed $900,000 to the Philippines to assist with the ongoing relief operation, including $100,000 of RELIEF SUPPLIES such as kitchen kits, blankets, jerry cans for collecting clean water and mosquito nets and a $500,000 grant from the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

 

YOU can HELP the VICTIMS of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

 

DONATIONS to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org.

 

 

GMA News.TV on Friday, 23 October 2009

 

Ramil almost stationary; landfall delayed to Sunday

 

More families evacuated in Cagayan, Ilocos areas as Ramil nears

 

Pagasa: Ramil to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday

 

 

RAMIL WEAKENS INTO A TROPICAL STORM

 

10/23/2009 | 06:43 PM

 

State weather forecasters decreased the number of areas under Storm Signal No. 3 as Typhoon Ramil weakened into a tropical storm Friday afternoon.

 

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil's strength has decreased, now with maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

 

Ramil remains almost stationary with its center 110 kms east northeast of Appari in Cagayan, Pagasa said. The Japan Meteorological Agency, however, showed the cyclone veering further away from northern Luzon.

 

Repeatedly asked in an earlier media briefing about exactly when Ramil is expected to make a landfall, Pagasa spokesman Nathaniel Cruz emphasized that the exact time and place of the landfall is already immaterial, since even at the storm’s current position, northern Cagayan and the outlying islands are already feeling its full fury.

 

Earlier at 10 a.m., Pagasa said Ramil packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, prompting the state weather bureau to place under Signal No. 3 (where the strength of winds range from 101 kph-185 kph) the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Calayan Island, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

 

But as of 5 p.m. only Northern Cagayan, the Batanes Group of Islands, Calayan Islands, and Babuyan Islands remained under storm Signal No. 3

 

Areas under storm signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) are the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Apayao, while under Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) are Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Isabela, Ifugao, Quirino, and Northern Aurora.

 

As in previous advisories, Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

 

It also reminded those living along the coast in areas under signals No. 2 and No. 3 against storm surge and big waves generated by the typhoon.

 

According to Pagasa, Ramil is expected to be 105 km northeast of Aparri by Saturday afternoon, 115 km northeast of the same area by Sunday afternoon, and 140 km north northeast of Aparri by Monday afternoon.

 

RAMIL comes on the heels of two cyclones that devastated parts of NORTHERN LUZON: tropical storm "ONDOY," and typhoon "PEPENG." Both caused massive flooding and loss of lives in Metro Manila and other Luzon areas.

 

Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

 

SIGNAL NO. WIND SPEED DURATION

Signal No. 1 30 - 60 kph Expected in 36 hours

Signal No. 2 61 -100 kbp Expected in 24 hours

Signal No. 3 101-185 kbp Expected in 18 hours

Signal No. 4 186 kph above Expected in 12 hours

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2009

 

As Typhoon Ramil (international name Lupit) continued to close in on northern Luzon, authorities in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte provinces preemptively evacuated more families in coastal areas. - 23 October 2009

 

Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio said Friday that at least 300 families from low-lying and coastal areas had been brought to various designated evacuation centers. Those living near the foot of mountains and near the Cagayan River and its tributaries are also being evacuated.

 

“We’re more prepared now," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.

 

The province was among the hardest hit areas by tropical cyclone Pepeng (Parma), which made landfall in northern Luzon thrice earlier this month.

 

Antonio said he already gave local officials in the province instructions to ensure zero casualty.

 

Earlier, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported that as of 6 p.m. Thursday, 187 families or 995 people were evacuated, including those from Sta. Ana, Gonzaga, Aparri and Pamplona towns.

 

 

LATEST ARTICLE

 

Erratic Ramil may not make RP landfall

 

10/24/2009 | 09:52 AM

 

Tropical storm Ramil (Lupit) continues to move slowly away to Japan and might not make its expected landfall in northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

 

 

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Ramil's Sunday landfall might not push through as it zigzags north-northeast and slowly out of the Philippine area of responsibility.

 

"It might not hit Luzon," Pagasa weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz told GMANews.TV on Saturday morning.

 

Although the cyclone is on a slow but steady path out of the country, Cruz said a landfall from Ramil is hardly necessary since it has already battered parts of the Cagayan province with strong winds and rains in the past few days.

 

"It already made landfall in a way, because of the swath of rain," he said.

 

Despite Ramil's recent movement, at least two areas remained under Storm Signal No. 3 as of 4 a.m. Saturday.

 

“Extreme Northern Luzon will have stormy weather. Central Luzon and the rest of Northern Luzon, Palawan and Eastern Visayas will be cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

 

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to southwest will prevail over the rest of Luzon, and coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the west to southwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.

 

Pagasa’s forecast on the course of Ramil appeared to jibe with that of the Japan Meteorological Agency, whose 5:45 a.m. forecast indicated Ramil will move north-northeast away from the country.

 

However, the JMA forecast indicated winds from “Ramil" are still likely to affect parts of Northern Luzon.

 

Pagasa’s 5 a.m. advisory said “Ramil" was 240 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 150 km east-southeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m.

 

“Ramil" packed maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

 

It is forecast to move north-northeast slowly and be 200 kms east-northeast of Basco, Batanes Sunday morning, and 310 kms east-northeast of Basco, Batanes Monday morning.

 

By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 420 kms northeast of Basco, Batanes.

 

Areas under Storm Signal No.3 include the Batanes and Calayan Islands. Areas under Signal No. 2 include Northern Cagayan and Babuyan island.

 

Under Signal No. 1 are the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

 

However, Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

 

It also advised those living along the coast in areas under signals #2 and #3 to be on alert against storm surge and big waves.

 

Pagasa also said strong to gale force winds are expected to affect seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

 

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. - Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV

 

Build decent evacuation centers, bishop urges govt10/24/2009 | 09:45 AM

 

In the wake of recent cyclones, a Catholic bishop urged the government to build decent and permanent evacuation centers in areas often affected by natural calamities.

 

 

NDCC remains on alert as Ramil moves away

10/24/2009 | 09:26 AM

 

Although tropical storm Ramil (Lupit) appears to move away from northern Luzon, the government's disaster officials remained on alert Saturday for a possible U-turn by the cyclone.

 

From: GMA News.TV

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From GMA News.TV Saturday 24 October 2009 at 9:26 Danish time

 

After scare, 'Ramil' spares Luzon, heads for Japan

 

After keeping much of Luzon on edge for over a week, Tropical Storm Ramil (Lupit) continued its erratic path but away from the mainland and towards Japan Saturday morning, sparing the Philippines a third disaster in less than a month.

RELATED STORIES

 

» No weather disturbance to affect RP as Ramil exits

 

» Pinoy kids sell their toys, raise P22K for typhoon victims

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PHILIPPINES – source: GMA News.DK

 

AFTER SCARE, 'RAMIL' SPARES LUZON, HEADS FOR JAPAN (Updated on 10/24/2009, 11:19AM)

 

After keeping much of Luzon on edge for over a week, Tropical Storm Ramil (Lupit) continued its erratic path away from the mainland and towards Japan Saturday morning, sparing the Philippines a third disaster in less than a month.

 

In its 5 p.m. advisory, Pagasa said Ramil was 425 km northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 p.m., maintaining its maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

 

Only the province of Batanes was under Storm Signal No. 1 as storm signals elsewhere were lowered.

 

Pagasa said Ramil is forecast to move northeast at 15 kph and be 700 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or 100 km of Okinawa, Japan on Sunday afternoon.

 

“It might not hit Luzon," Pagasa weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz told GMANews.TV on Saturday morning. Cruz said that even though Ramil has not directly crossed northern Luzon as earlier forecast, it has battered parts of the Cagayan province with strong winds and rains in the past few days. Its effect had also been felt largely in the Calayan, Babuyan and Batanes island groups in extreme northern Philippines. "It already made landfall in a way, because of the swath of rain," he said.

 

Pagasa also said that Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija has stopped releasing water as Ramil move further away from the country. The Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet, however, continue to release water as of posting time.

 

By Monday morning Ramil is expected to be 950 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 230 km east of Okinawa, Southern Japan.

 

Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.

 

It also reminded those living along the coast in areas under signals #2 and #3 to be on alert against storm surge and big waves.

 

 

GOOD NEWS

 

In a separate interview with QTV's Balitanghali Saturday, Cruz said their monitoring showed no weather disturbance was trailing behind tropical storm Ramil in the Pacific Ocean.

 

Cruz said this would mean the country would be free from any low pressure area at least in the next two to three days, during which time the country is expected to have fair weather.

 

"This is a good news for us that we see no weather disturbances aside from Ramil," Cruz said.

 

But the Pagasa official still advised the public not to let their guards down saying weather activities happening at sea could become unpredictable.

 

Cruz also said that even if Ramil is on its way out of Philippine territory, fishermen are still discouraged from setting sail since water in affected areas could still become turbulent. - with Joseph Holandes Ubalde and Andreo Calonzo, GMANews.TV

 

 

No weather disturbance to affect RP as Ramil exits

 

(by Mark D. Merueñas, GMANews.TV - 10/24/2009 | 01:16 PM)

 

After weeks of being visited by tropical cyclones, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the country could experience FAIR WEATHER in the next few days.

 

Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief, told QTV's Balitanghali Saturday that their monitoring showed no weather disturbance was trailing behind tropical storm Ramil in the Pacific Ocean.

 

Tropical Storm Ramil (Lupit) continues to move slowly away to Japan and is unlikely to make its expected Sunday landfall in northern Luzon.

 

Cruz said this would mean the country would be free from any low pressure area at least in the next two to three days. "This is a good news for us that we see no weather disturbances aside from Ramil," Cruz said. But the Pagasa official still advised the public not to let their guards down saying weather activities happening at sea could become unpredictable.

 

Cruz said for the remaining two months of the year, the public could still expect two to three more tropical cyclones to arrive in the country. Annually, the Philippines is visited by between 20 to 21 cyclones.

 

He also said that while Ramil is on its way out of Philippine territory, fisherfolks are still discouraged from setting sail since water in affected areas could still become turbulent.

 

Ramil was last spotted 340 km northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 10 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near center and and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

 

Batanes was placed under Storm Signal No. 2, while Calayan and Babuyan Islands were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as storm signals elsewhere were lowered.

 

Forecasters said Ramil is currently JAPAN-bound and is expected to be 230 kms east of Okinawa by Monday. GMANews.TV

 

 

Pinoy kids sell their toys, raise P22K for typhoon victims

 

Despite their young age, Filipino children in China managed to raise P22,807 for victims of cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) by selling used toys and belongings.

 

 

Blamed for disaster, floodway settlers are immovable force

 

(by Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV) - 10/24/2009 | 06:18 PM

 

A month after ‘Ondoy’, communities obstructing the nine-kilometer-long Manggahan Floodway – one of the nation’s largest flood control structures -are still there, setting the stage for a repeat of the flooding that occurred when water quickly breached its banks. Jam Sisante reports.

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I N D O N E S I A

 

BBC World Text TV on 24 October 2009:

STRONG QUAKE HITS OFF INDONESIA

 

A magnitude 7 earth quake has hit off the Coast of INDONESIA according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was reported to have occurred in the BANDA SEA near the Maluku Islands to the east of East Timor.

 

The quake struck at a depth of 92 miles / 148 km, USGS reported. Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert.

 

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active areas for earthquakes and volcanic activity in the world.

 

 

ZDF Text TV: Indonesian authorities issued tsunami alert after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. The quake shook the eastindonesian Maluku islands, and the epicentre was 165 km under the bottom of the sea. No reports of any tsunamis or devastation on land.

 

On 30 September a magnitude 7.6 earthquake on the westcoast of SUMATRA caused devastation. More than 1,100 people were killed, and hundreds of people were wounded.

 

 

Text TV from the Norwegian Channel TV2:

 

TSUNAMI ALERT IN INDONESIA.

 

The quake hit off the coast of the eastern INDONESIA.

 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at 7.0, whereas the Indonesian authorities measured it at 7.3.

 

In September 2009 PADANG on the island of SUMATRA was hit by a heavy quake that caused substantial damage and devastation and cost more than 1,000 human lives.

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2009

 

GMA News.TV

 

Plans drawn up for RP's post-disaster assessment

 

10/23/2009 | 01:33 PM

 

Post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) is being scheduled by the government and its development partners to determine the extent of the damage caused by storms Ondoy and Pepeng and to draw up reconstruction and recovery plans.

 

The Finance department and the World Bank, in a joint statement issued on Thursday, said the assessment would cover a gamut of sectors, infrastructure, impact assessment, and overall disaster preparedness.

 

"The huge tasks at hand — both in terms of short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction — demand no less than a concerted response from all sectors of society and the global community," Finance Secretary Margarito B. Teves said.

 

World Bank Country Director Bert Hofman said: "The PDNA will serve as a framework by which the country could mobilize greater support from the broader global community for recovery and reconstruction..."

 

The government, widely criticized for its rescue and relief response, is currently scrambling to secure rehabilitation funding, proposing the issuance of P50 billion in reconstruction bonds and the realignment of existing multilateral loans.

 

Other participating development partners are the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and the European Commission.

 

Agreement on the PDNA was said to have been reached the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meeting in Istanbul earlier this month.

 

A team of local and international experts are already meeting with state agencies and local governments to plan for the assessment. The results of the PDNA are expected to be completed within November.

 

The initiative seeks to assess the damage, losses, and needs of calamity-struck areas, and to mobilize resources. It is also expected to result in recommendations for short, medium, and long-term recovery and reconstruction.

 

Mr. Teves said the multi-sectoral reconstruction commission formed recently by Malacañang would be meeting with the development partners and the private sector.

 

 

Ondoy devastated parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces last September 26, while Pepeng hit the country on October 3. Both storms caused some P27.7 billion worth of damage and killed over 850 people.

 

 

The government and its development partners are also planning to devote this year’s Philippine Development Forum to raise donations for devastated areas. The annual event is scheduled for next month.

 

- Alexis Douglas B. Romero, BusinessWorld

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UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

 

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2009

 

 

PAGASA: ‘RAMIL’ TO EXIT RP SUNDAY, BUT RAINS STILL LOOM

 

(10/25/2009 | 07:55 AM ) From GMA News.TV

 

Tropical storm “RAMIL" (LUPIT) continued to move farther away from Philippine territory, heading toward JAPAN on Sunday morning. But rains still loom over Extreme Northern LUZON and other parts of the country.

 

In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said there is no indication of Ramil making a U-turn.

 

"We expect it to exit Philippine territory later on Sunday. It is heading for the southern islands of Japan," Pagasa forecaster Lenny Ruiz said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He also said there is no low-pressure area or weather disturbance now within the Philippine area of responsibility.

 

As of 4 a.m., Ramil was 560 km northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, Pagasa said.

 

It is forecast to move northeast at 15 kph and is expected to be 860 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 200 km east-southeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan Monday morning.

 

Pagasa’s 5 a.m. weather bulletin said “Extreme Northern Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms."

 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northwest to Southwest will prevail over Northern Luzon and coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough, it added.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Northwest to Southwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.

 

On the other hand, Pagasa warned strong to gale force winds associated with Ramil will still likely affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon. - GMANews.TV

 

 

"]‘RAMIL’ SLOWS DOWN IN EXIT FROM RP; U-TURN STILL FEARED[/b]

 

(10/25/2009 | 05:50 PM)

Tropical storm "RAMIL" (international name LUPIT) slightly slowed down Sunday afternoon as it continued to exit Philippine territory. State weather forecasters however remain wary of a sudden U-turn.

 

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration indicated it is not discounting a "recurvature" by "Ramil."

"Unless recurvature occurs, this is the final bulletin on this weather disturbance," it said.

 

A 4:40 p.m. forecast by the Japan Meteorological Agency indicated "Ramil" was heading northeast and is not likely to make a U-turn.

 

 

Philippine authorities are wary of a U-turn made by a cyclone similar to the case of "PEPENG" (PARMA) earlier this month. "PEPENG" eventually made landfall thrice in NORTHERN LUZON, causing floods and landslides, and killing more than 400 people.

 

 

As of 4 p.m., Pagasa said "Ramil" was 780 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 175 km southeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan. It packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, and was moving east-northeast at 15 kph.

 

Pagasa forecast "Ramil" to be 370 km east-northeast of Okinawa, Southern Japan by Monday afternoon.

 

GMANews.TV

 

 

JAPAN, THAILAND DONATE TO RP CYCLONE VICTIMS

 

(10/26/2009 | 12:11 AM )

 

The Philippines received a major boost from two key partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in disaster management efforts during the Asean summit in Thailand.

 

Malacañang on Sunday announced that Japan would donate three Doppler radars to the Philippines to complete the 12-radar system the Philippines needs in weather forecasting capabilities.

 

“Included of course are the technical support and Official Development Assistance (ODA)," a Palace statement quoted Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who accompanied President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the Asean summit, as saying.

 

The Palace said Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also relayed to Mrs. Arroyo his condolences to the victims of cyclones “ONDOY" (KETSANA) and “PEPENG" (PARMA), which killed more than 700 people and left billions worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure.

 

He also wished the country’s immediate recovery during a bilateral meeting with Mrs. Arroyo on the sidelines of the 15th Asean Summit.

For her part, Mrs. Arroyo congratulated Hatoyama on his election as Prime Minister and on his party’s historic victory. She said she is looking forward to a strategic partnership of the Philippines and Japan under his leadership and invited him to visit the Philippines.

 

While in Thailand, Mrs. Arroyo also received Thailand’s commitment to donate 620 metric tons of rice for the victims of the tropical cyclones. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs made assurance that 100 metric tons of rice, as well as medicines, will be sent to the Philippines by the end of the month.

 

Another 520 metric tons of rice, this time upon the initiative of the Thai trade representative and coursed through the Asean Plus 3-East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve, will follow in February 2010.

 

On the other hand, Malacañang said a Philippine public-private sector body heading the reconstruction of infrastructure wrecked by the two cyclones may benefit from a $15-billion commercial credit from the People’s Republic of China.

 

The commercial credit will be available to the 10 Asean member-nations in the next three to five years, although the Palace said the decision rests on the newly created commission.

 

Trade Secretary Peter Favila pointed out that the commission, not the government, is making a study on the actual damage and the cost needed to fund the rehabilitation program.

 

At the Asean summit, Mrs. Arroyo proposed that the release of fund from the $120-billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) to a distressed Asean member must be quick and with less conditions.

 

GMA News.TV

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