PROGRAMME TITLE: Flooding in Mindanao
PROGRAMME LOCATION: Philippines
DATES COVERED: February 14, 2024
SITREP NUMBER: 3
SUBMITTED BY: Caritas Philippines
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Mindanao provinces experienced a series of weather disturbances that resulted in heavy flooding, landslides, and various related incidents in the community affecting mostly the provinces of Agusan Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Davao De Oro, and Davao Oriental.
• December 18, 2023, Mindanao and Visayas provinces were hit by Tropical Depression Kabayan that brought massive flooding.
• January 16, 2024, Shearline (where the cold and warm winds meet) brought heavy rains to the same provinces.
• January 28 the trough of LPA affecting Mindanao continued to bring light to heavy rains until 02 February 2024 that resulted in further flooding, landslide incidents that isolated or buried some of the communities, and loss of lives. On 03 February 2024, the LPA dissipated however, intermittent rains are still experienced in some areas.
As of February 14, 2024, as per NDRRMC data, the Through of LPA affected 419,135 families or 1,402,648 persons in 832 barangays in Mindanao.
Based on reported data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) from the province of Davao Oriental and the results of Rapid Assessment of Caritas Philippines Staff and the Diocesan Social Action Center (DSAC) of Mati data and information gathered are the following:
- Data from PDRRMC (effects of Shearline), a total of 131,345 families were affected due to the impact of the disaster, with 1,616 reported damaged houses.
Note: Data as of today is yet to be updated and consolidated due to difficulty in reporting - The most affected Municipalities/Cities are Mati, Governor Generoso, Lupon, Caraga, Tarragona, and Manaybanay.
- Php 167,510,380 estimated damage to crops and Php 5,343,480 damaged to fisheries
- Lifelines such as power lines are already functional in the center of the towns, however, some isolated barangay areas have power outages.
- Several bridges are impassable, either totally damaged or were cut-off as such resulting in the isolation of some barangays.
- Clearing roads from landslides is ongoing and one-way lanes were used in some areas due to soil erosion and landslides especially on the provincial road and municipal roads.
- Gushing rapid waters from river tributaries overflowed and massively eroded the river embankments in Caraga, Mati, and Governor Generoso, washing away several infrastructures (houses, chapels, roads, basketball court).
- Most water systems were damaged caused by the flooding and need to be repaired, the communities affected currently rely on water sources from deep wells. Potable water is acquired through regular rations by the local government or bought from water refilling stations.
- Some families whose houses were totally damaged or washed out by the flooding have been living in the Evacuation Center since Dec 18, 2023 (Tropical Depression Kabayan). Basic needs and things are totally washed-out.
- Bathing areas and latrines for men and women are available (although other evacuation centers used a common latrine due to limitations of availability).
- Same in Davao Del Norte and Davao De Oro, “Adopt a family” was applied as an informal strategy by families who were not fully affected by the flooding, adopting the families who lost their homes. The families who accommodate them are either their relatives, neighbors, or acquaintances and are willing to “adopt” them for a number of days.
- Livelihoods are farming, fishing and coconut charcoal production were damaged by the flooding as such families opted for any informal labour that will sustain their basic needs.
- Immediate needs: food for the upcoming days especially if the supply from the government and other
organizations would not be available, NFI (sleeping kits, hygiene kits, cooking sets/kitchenware, solar lamps), shelter, and alternative livelihoods.
Note: All Photos taken by Caritas Philippines in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines
CARITAS RESPONSE
Caritas Philippines continues its Rapid Needs Assessment in Davao Oriental with support from the Diocese of Mati. An ocular survey and KII were conducted in the municipalities of Caraga, Governor Generoso, and Mati wherein most of the number of families were from barangays affected by the raging river or from a landslide. Families in the Evacuation Centers were interviewed especially on their situation and their coping mechanism. Local government officials were also interviewed and discussed some of the long-term plans of the community affected. Observation through a transect drive was also done in the areas of Banaybanay, San Isidro, and Lupon.
Caritas Mati distributed food packs coming from the Archdiocese of Davao, Vicariates, and other parishes. Caritas Philippines downloaded funds for emergency relief were also distributed to various communities/parishes.
COORDINATION
Caritas Philippines and the Diocese of Mati coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Caraga. Several parish priests, community volunteers, and municipal and barangay officials were provided data and information on the current crisis. Continuous coordination is always engaged with the Diocese of Butuan on the status of the flooding in Agusan Sur and their response.
Caritas Philippines coordinated with in-country CIMO partners like Caritas Germany who shared information from the ground and assisted in the local coordination, while Caritas Relief Services (CRS) complemented support in Davao del Norte. Continuous updates were also provided to other CIMO partners like Caritas Spain, Caritas Australia, Caritas Austria, Caritas Italiana, CAFOD, and SitRep also shared with Caritas Internationalis the status and continuing impact of the crisis.
SitRep was disseminated to the FBO partners and country Humanitarian Cluster and Protection Cluster. Caritas Philippines likewise participated in the cluster meeting, as an avenue for updating and sharing of information.
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Daily weather updates in different media platforms for any untoward incidents in the area are continually shared by Caritas Philippines. The Humanitarian Office shares updates in its FB group chat with the 85 diocese social action network. Actual situation on the ground has been shared on the “Caritas News on the Go”, a social media program by Caritas Philippines for updating and information sharing. Facebook platforms of Caritas Philippines, Dioceses of Mati, Tagum, Archdiocese of Davao, and Butuan were also maximized on the updates and situation on the ground.
Media partner Radio Veritas closely collaborated and coordinated with Caritas Philippines on the situation on the ground.
PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS
A call for local appeal was released by the bishops of the 2 dioceses (Dioceses of Tagum and Butuan) seeking assistance to the communities affected.
The Archdiocese of Davao and Digos continue to assist the Diocese of Mati and Diocese of Tagum on its emergency relief as part of its fraternal solidarity.
CRS downloaded NFI kits to the Diocese of Butuan and is in the process of augmenting the support to the Diocese of Tagum on livelihoods.
The local appeal launched by Caritas Philippines to provide assistance to affected communities in their immediate needs (food packs, hygiene/sanitation kits, kitchen utensils and cookware, sleeping kits) are continually promoted and gather support:
Name of Bank: BPI
Account Name: CBCP CARITAS PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION INC
Account no.4951-0071-08
An Emergency Appeal (EA) appeal will also be launched these coming days to support the community affected by the crisis.
KEY CONTACTS
Fr. Antonio Labiao, Executive Director
(0917) 533-5943 l frtonylabiao@gmail.com
Jeanie Curiano, Humanitarian Head
(0977) 823-8105 l jeanie.curiano@gmail.com
Cecilio “Ava” Guardian, Humanitarian Program Coordinator
(0999) 882-8281 l cpguardianiii@yahoo.com.ph
Jing Rey Henderson, Communications and Partnership Development Head
(0905) 546-9977 / 525-1924 l jhenderson.nassacaritasph@gmail.com