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CWS/ERP Situation Report: Typhoon Durian

December 6, 2006

Rescue and relief efforts continue in southern Vietnam and in the central Philippines following the onslaught of Typhoon Durian, which killed hundreds and caused millions of dollars in damage to predominately rural areas in both countries.

Flooding in the wake of the typhoon remains a key concern in Vietnam, where south-central provinces, including Binh Thuan, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Ben Tre and Vinh Long, were bracing for rising flood waters, the Reuters news agency reported.

Forty-eight peoplein Vietnam were killed from the storm, the Vietnamese government reported, with 49 still missing. Nearly 120,900 homes were damaged or destroyed and nearly 700 fishing vessels lost, authorities reported.

In the Philippines, where Durian had come ashore just under a category-5 storm, some 543 persons were reported dead and 740 remained missing. Nearly 250,000 homes were damaged, and losses to agriculture and infrastructure were in the millions.

The Philippines field office of CWS partner Christian Aid reports that the typhoon destroyed most of the basic facilities and infrastructure, including electricity and communications, of the affected locations. The most severely hit province is Albay, which has yet to recover from both the Mt. Mayon eruption in August and Typhoon Xinxane in September. Destruction of residential structures and other properties by strong winds and flooding was extensive throughout Legaspi City, capital of Albay province.

However, the most devastating was the unexpected mudflow that came from the slopes of Mt. Mayon, burying several villages, Christian Aid reported. Among the most affected are the small villages at the foot of Mt. Mayon in Legaspi Daraga, and Sto. Domingo towns . Two other nearby provinces, Marinduque and Mindoro have also suffered extensive damage.

In the current year, the Philippines has been hit by 18 successive typhoons. "This is severely affecting the coping capacities of communities and support structures," Christian Aid said.

RESPONSE: In Vietnam, CWS staff have left the capital of Hanoi to participate in a joint assessment of the affected area. CWS plans to work closely with authorities in Ben Tre and Long An provinces, and focus on assessing damage to housing, community clinics and schools, said CWS Vietnam Director Joanne Fairley, with special attention being paid to damaged water supply systems and latrines.

In the Philippines CWS is responding by supporting efforts of Action by Churches Together (ACT) members, including Christian Aid and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), which are providing relief and short-term rehabilitation assistance for the affected communities.

As reported in a Dec. 5 situation report, the NCCP through its relief arm in the Bicol region -- the NCCP Andurog Mayon -- is conducting assessments and also assisting in rescue operations. Stockpiles from the NCCP's national warehouse are being sent to the NCCP Andurog Mayon Operations Center in Legaspi City for immediate distribution to the evacuation centers.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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