FIJI
The Government of Fiji extended the State of Natural Disaster in the areas severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston until 19 April.
Significant gaps in the provision of emergency shelter supplies remain. The Government revised the number of houses damaged by the cyclone to 32,000, increasing the estimated overall number of people in need of some form of shelter assistance to 150,000. Access to safe water has been restored for almost 150,000 people but 100,000 people remain in need. An increasing number of communicable diseases have been reported including leptospirosis, diarrhea and measles. Typhoid and dengue are also being closely monitored.
VIET NAM
Since January, severe drought and saltwater intrusion has significantly affected the livelihood, food security and water supply of nearly 1.8 million people. As of 24 March, 39 out of 63 provinces are impacted, 12 of which declared a State of Emergency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, United Nations and NGO partners have conducted a joint multi-cluster rapid assessment to inform response planning. Analysis of the joint assessment is ongoing to define priority needs.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
According to a recent WFP assessment, drought and frost has highly or severely impacted the food security of nearly 1.5 million people.
Over 162,000 people face extreme food shortages in six Local Level Government areas (Western, Southern Highland, Enga, Chimbu and Milne provinces). Key needs include food and nutrition. It is likely, that there are additional pockets of need in other provinces.
PALAU
Palau is the latest country in the north Pacific to declare an El Niño-related State of Emergency.
In a statement, the President reported that the total rainfall in the state of Koror over the past four months was the lowest recorded since 1951. The Ngerimel Dam, has run out of water while the only other remaining source of freshwater, the Ngerikiil River, is at a critically low level.
Koror and Airai are on an emergency water-rationing schedule, permitting three hours of water access each morning and evening. Water rationing was also initiated in other parts of the country.
INDONESIA
Beginning on 25 March, a 1.2 kilometre section of land has been slowly subsiding (slow onset landslide) in Banjarnegara District, Central Java, displacing 281 people (76 households).
The local government declared the area unsafe for settlement and provided emergency relief and temporary living solutions. The district suffered significant landslides in December 2014 that claimed the lives of 101 people.
Between 22 and 25 March, at least 2,450 houses were inundated by floods in West Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan provinces. There were no reports of casualties or major injuries. Local authorities provided relief assistance to the affected population. Most of the floodwater has since receded.
MYANMAR
Most people displaced by armed conflict incidents, from January to March, in Shan State have returned home. The 4,200 people displaced to Kyaukme Township have returned to their places of origin. In Namkhan, 955 people remain displaced as of 22 March. Authorities in collaboration with local civil society, NGOs and the UN continue to provide humanitarian relief.