Sri Lanka

From 15 to 22 May, floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Roanu affected over 340,000 people across 22 districts.

FIJI

Beginning on 4 April, heavy rain from two tropical disturbances continues to fall on communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston where thousands of people are still reliant on transitional shelter. Low-lying villages were evacuated. In the north and west of the country, roads were cut and schools closed. The Cyclone Winston response is moving into the early recovery phase. Priorities include providing permanent shelter and water and sanitation for 350,000 people. Some 800,000 planting materials were distributed

FIJI

On 4 March, the Government of Fiji and humanitarian partners jointly launched a Flash Appeal seeking US$38.6 million to respond to the life-saving and protection needs of 350,000 people affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston. To enable partners to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, US$8 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund was allocated for the Fiji response. Nearly 18,500 houses have been damaged or destroyed by the cyclone and more than 18,000 people remain in evacuation centres.

MYANMAR
Floods and landslides affected over 1.3 million people, including 297,000 households displaced in Jul and Aug, according to Government reports. At least 106 people are confirmed dead. The Government, supported by local organisations, UN and INGOs, continues to lead the response, including clean-up, search and rescue and provision of relief assistance.

1.3 million people affected

Overview

HIGHLIGHTS

• El Niño alert issued, with meteorologists estimating a 70 per cent chance of event developing by late 2014.

• OCHA and the Pacific Humanitarian Team responded to five emergencies between November 2013 and May 2014.

• Recovery efforts in cyclone-affected Tonga include a cash-for-work programme focusing on food security and debris management.

• A study of the Pacific Humanitarian Team response in the Solomon Islands finds coordination support appreciated, but improved communication and assessments needed.

VANUATU

There are 10 confirmed fatalities and 2 people missing after TC Lusi (Cat 2) affected Vanuatu between 10 and 13 Mar. Six people have serious injuries and an estimated 20,000 people affected to varying degrees across Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Shefa Province. Initial reports indicate 38 houses damaged with 112 people displaced, and three classrooms and two churches destroyed. Many coastal and low lying communities were flooded and ground-water sources contaminated.

Republic of the Marshall Islands

President Loeak and First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak, were joined by Cabinet Members, Minister Phillip Muller, Minister Hilda C. Heine, and Minister Michael Konelios, in delivering food and water supplies to families who were affected by the King Tides that struck the northeast parts of the Capital, Majuro, on the early morning hours of Monday, March 3, 2014.

High tide energised by storm surges leaves damaged homes and big clean up.

Read the full story on Radio New Zealand International

Towards the end of the fourth quarter, CERF and its humanitarian partners were challenged by a series of large, complex crises, including three system-wide level-three (L3) emergencies. These crises, in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR), the Philippines, Syria and Yemen, have affected 35 million people who urgently needed emergency relief, protection and basic services. CERF was there to provide a lifeline.

Snapshot 12 – 19 August

In Syria, fighting between governmental forces and opposition groups has been concentrated in Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor, Homs, Lattakia and Rural Damascus this week. Meanwhile, infighting is ongoing within the opposition. As during previous weeks, FSA forces have clashed with Islamist opposition groups on multiple occasions while Kurdish groups continued to fight with Islamist groups in the north of the country. The mass influx of Syrian refugees to neighbouring countries is ongoing. As of 19 August, over 1.9 million Syrians had fled the country.

In Syria, large-scale fighting between opposition and Government forces has been reported across Al-Hassakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Homs, Aleppo, and especially Lattakia and Damascus governorates. Increasing strife between combatants of the FSA and al-Qaeda affiliated Islamic fighters continue to also be reported, especially around Aleppo and its countryside. In addition, as clashes increased between Kurdish armed groups and fighters of the ISIS, the President of Iraqi Kurdistan openly floated the idea of staging an intervention in Syria to support fellow Kurds.

In Syria, Government forces are advancing in Homs and expected to retake opposition-held districts in the short-term, while operations have been ongoing in other major cities, including Aleppo and Damascus. Meanwhile, infighting within opposition forces is spreading between various armed groups. Clashes are continuously reported between Kurdish fighters and al-Qaeda affiliated Islamists near the border with Turkey in Al-Hassakeh and Ar-Raqqa governorates.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Normal seasonal rains begin in drought-affected areas of northern RMI, alleviating drought conditions

• U.S. Government (USG) provides nearly $1.8 million in additional assistance for drought relief activities in RMI

• Two shipments of USG-provided food commodities for distribution to drought-affected communities arrive in RMI in July

Snapshot 22– 29 July

In Syria, despite the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan on 9 July, large-scale operations have been ongoing in several major cities, including Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Idlib with regime forces pushing to extend the gains obtained over the past weeks with support of the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters. Infighting within opposition forces has escalated in recent days with clashes reported between various Islamist and more moderate groups, notably between Kurdish fighters and al-Qaeda affiliated Islamists near the border with Turkey in Al-Hassakeh governorate.

Snapshot 17 June - 24 June 2013

Snapshot 21 - 27 May 2013

Snapshot 13 – 21 May