In the evening of Sunday 12 November 2017, the North-east of Iraq experienced an earthquake in the magnitude of approximately 7.2 – 7.5, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicentre of this earthquake is located 32 kilometres from the city of Halabja. According to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), approximately 1,840,000 people live within 100km of the epicentre of this earthquake in both Iraq and Iran. Local experts and seismologists in the area see potential occurrence of such shock in the future as the area has entered into a new level of intensity, and therefore it is likely that future earthquakes will be of a same or higher magnitude.

Alerts Iraq Earthquake

On 23 October 2017, the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) declared a green alert in five of the country’s departments: Cortés, Yoro, Atlántida, Islas de La Bahía and Colón; the alert was declared in response to the arrival of the first cold front of the season, which brought heavy rains and prompted COPECO to raise the alert level for the departments of Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón at 5:00 pm on 24 October.  That same day, the government declared a state of emergency due to the presence of the weather system in the departments of Cortés, Atlántida, Yoro, Colón, Islas de la Bahía and Gracias a Dios. The weather system brought heavy rainfall, which caused rivers and gorges to flood. As of 29 October 2017, a red alert was in effect for the departments Gracias a Dios, Yoro, Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón, while a yellow alert was in place for departments Olancho, Santa Bárbara and Francisco Morazán and a green alert for the departments of Copán, Comayagua, La Paz, Valle, Choluteca, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibucá and El Paraíso. According to official data provided by COPECO, the flooding has had the following impact on Honduras:

• 10,564 affected households

• 50,770 affected persons

• 4876 evacuated households (24,691 persons)

• 25 persons rescued

• 1799 households in temporary shelters (9351 persons)

• 5012 damaged houses

• 13 totally destroyed houses.

Additionally, Tropical Depression Selma formed in the Pacific at the same time as a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic according to COPECO’s National Centre of Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies, producing moderate to strong rains, especially in the country’s south central and western parts.

Given the level of damages, the ACT Forum from Honduras through its local member CASM (Mennonite Commission for Social Action) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide Food aid to affected households in the Department of Cortes, Honduras.

Alerts_Honduras_Floods

On the morning of Friday the 3 November 2017, the state of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in India, was severely affected by a low pressure area that had formed over Sri Lanka and South West Bay of Bengal bringing heavy and incessant rain falls to Chennai and Tamil Nadu. This has exacerbated the flooding caused by rains since Thursday. Fishermen venturing into the sea have been warned and advised not to go into the sea for fishing. North east monsoon is strengthening and officials have predicted more rain and thunder showers to continue for next three days in most places over the northern coast, Southern Tamil Nadu including Chennai city.

The southern district of coastal Tamil Nadu have recorded heavier showers in last 24 hours.

According to local authorities five people are recorded to have died due to heavy rain related incidents. Two eight year old girls were electrocuted while playing outside their home in Kodungaiur as the electricity lines fell into the water.

The floods have put the district in a state of crisis. The flood affected persons find themselves in a desperate situation, with many unmet vital humanitarian needs such as access to: food, safe shelter and non food items. The rains and the flooding has meant that people have lost their livelihoods and dependent on external support. There is need for sufficient food, safe shelter and basic non-food items. The dire situation is further compounded for the flood affected people with vulnerabilities especially for those people discriminated because of caste. The government has initiated 115 relief distribution centers which is not enough to reach to all the slums areas in Chennai city and remote villages. There is a pressing necessity to provide immediate assistance.

Alerts_11_2017_India_Chennai

Tropical storm “Nate” formed on Thursday the 5^th of October in the Caribbean off the coast of Nicaragua. The storm caused heavy rains and landslides throughout several countries in Central America. As of October 6^th, the number of casualties rose to 28 and with 14 people reportedly missing. National Civil Protection systems were triggered and are responding with local coordination mechanisms.  Tropical storm Nate will continue its trajectory towards the north-eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula on the evening of October 6^th as it makes its way to the US Gulf Coast, where it is projected to make landfall as a hurricane.    According to data provided by the National Civil Protection Systems, the damage reported is as follow:

1. Nicaragua: 11 deaths; Government has provided food supplies for more than 1,600 affected households; 11 departments/31 municipalities affected; More than 30,000 people affected. 5,953 damaged houses.
2. Guatemala: 5 deaths, 3 missing; 2,749 people affected; 413 people rendered homeless.
3. Costa Rica: 8 deaths, 11 missing; 3,921 people evacuated to 94 shelters; 419,868 people without water.
4. Honduras: 3 deaths; 16 provinces on yellow alert; 143 affected people.
5. Panama: 1 death; 150 affected homes; 750 people affected.

In Costa Rica, landslides caused significant damage to roads and villages, cutting off some areas. A highway that connects the south of the country was washed away in Casa Mata. At least 5,000 residents fled to emergency shelters there, according to The Associated Press. The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency, and President Luis Guillermo Solís appealed to the international community for support.

Given the level of damages so far, the Costa Rica Forum through its local member ILCO (Lutheran Church in Costa Rica) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide Food aid, non-Food Items, WASH, Psychosocial Support. The Nicaragua Forum is assessing the situation in order to decide if they are going to respond.

Alerts_Central_America_Tropical_Storm_Nate

In the evening of Friday the 22 September 2017, the district of Karangasem where Mt. Agung in Bali Island situated, was declared on its highest alert (red alert), followed by the instruction to exclusion zone of 9 to 12 kilometres from the summit. National and provincial authorities reported the significant increase of volcanic activity and by 23 September 2017 the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) deployed initial team to assess and set up the command post.

ACT Alliance members (ICCO, LWR and YEU) work in areas affected by the volcanic eruption, and is assessing the impact of the disaster to better understand the needs and vulnerabilities, ACT Alliance is now monitoring the situation and emergency teams are ready/preparing to respond according to the results of a contextual analysis and rapid needs assessment.

Alerts Indonesia Volcanic Eruption

In Liberia, since the beginning of this year, there have been constant storms and floods resulting in damage and losses around the country. On Tuesday, August 31, it was reported on the National Radio Station, ELBC Super Morning Show that a heavy storm had occurred in Bong County (Central Liberia) which caused the destruction of houses thereby leading to the displacement of hundreds of local community dwellers.  There are presently 5,244 people who are affected and 118 structures destroyed in Suakoko Town.

Many of them are without shelters, according to reports received from the National Disaster Committee based Gbarnga, Bong County. Other impacts of the storm and floods include the destruction of schools buildings, offices, sign boards, etc. The rainy season is at its peak in Liberia, more flooding and storms are expected.

Alerts_Liberia_Floods and Storms

On the morning of Friday the 25 August 2017, the state of Rakhine in Myanmar, conflict broke out disproportionately affecting the minority Rohingya community as a result of operations of the Myanmar military and other non state actors in response to attacks on three border posts on the border of Myanmar and Bangladesh allegedly by a group of Islamic militants leading to the death of nine policemen.  The extent and degree of implications and sufferings of people fleeing the ongoing violence still remains uncertain. Though incidents of violence against the Rohingya community are being constantly reported by the media and other sources, the Myanmar government officially have denied such events. To date, estimations based on consolidated field reports of the agencies working in Cox’s Bazar are that 370,000 people are estimated to have crossed the border into Bangladesh seeking refuge from the violence of Myanmar military and local Rakhine communities.

Alerts_Bangladesh_Rohingya Refugee Crisis

During the night of Friday, 25 August 2017, the state of Rakhine in Myanmar, was attacked by armed groups. The Arakhine Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in three northern townships of Rakhine. The Government has officially declared ARSA a terrorist organization which gives the state authorities wide powers of arrest and detention of those suspected of belonging to ARSA. Military operations ensued immediately and have continue to-date in townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung which have been declared Military Operations areas. The UN and INGOs and the diplomatic missions have all made statements condemning the violent attacks and expressing sympathy for all those affected by the violence. According to the latest displacement figures, 300,000 conflict affected people have fled to Bangladesh.

ACT Alliance has been working in Rakhine since LWF started humanitarian work in 2012.  Christian Aid is also working in the Rakhine state through local organizations. Both are now planning to help people affected by the conflict. The ACT Myanmar forum has identified a gap in humanitarian aid and has resolved that if funded, it will have the capacity to properly bridge the identified gap.

Alerts_09_2017_Rakhine Conflict Myanmar

As of 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 295 km/hour, it has significantly strengthened to become one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic. To date, it has passed over Barbuda, Saint Barthelemy, Anguilla, Saint Marten, British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, the Bahamas and passing through Florida. Irma caused extensive damage in Barbuda and Anguilla where 70-90% of the buildings were destroyed. 27 people reported dead across affected territories, 34,000 people displaced in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Over 1 million people were evacuated, especially from the municipalities in the northern coastline in central and eastern Cuba. 17,000 people in need of immediate shelter across the affected eastern Caribbean islands. Initial reports highlight that in Haiti there are significant damages to agricultural fields, livestock and banana plantations. Assessments will take place over the coming days to determine the number of people in need of food assistance. More than 10,000 people are in temporary shelters in the North.

Given the level of damages so far, the Haiti and Dominican Republic forums respectively decided to submit a RRF,  and an appeal is going to be submitted to respond in Cuba, the most affected among the three islands.

Alerts_09_2017_Hurricane_Irma_in_The_Caribbean_Update