UNDP's response to natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region

UNDP is responding to the recent natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. The respective situations and responses are:


West Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia)

More than 800 people have been killed by the 30 September earthquake in Sumatra, with hundreds more still missing. More than 135,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the quake, and health facilities and government offices were also severely compromised. UNDP is beginning the early recovery process by collaborating with the World Bank on a post-disaster needs assessment, and is also developing a project, Recovery Initiates for Sumatra Earthquakes (RISE), for restoration of government services, clearance of rubble and structural assessment of damaged buildings. UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) has dispatched an expert to Indonesia to contribute to the assessment. Additionally, UNDP emergency response staff are supporting Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency with GIS mapping of the disaster areas, and working with the National Development Planning Agency on a disaster and loss assessment. UNDP is also directly supporting the government response and recovery coordination.

Pacific Islands Tsunami (Samoa, Tonga)

An estimated 150 people were killed in the early morning of 29 September, when several tsunami waves struck parts of the Pacific island countries Samoa and Tonga. Reconstruction costs in Samoa are estimated at USD 150 million. BCPR ’s Director, Jordan Ryan, visited the region to assess the situation, and the bureau is offering help in the development of recovery projects with concrete disaster risk reduction measures. Funding has been disbursed to UNDP offices in Samoa and Tonga for coordination of recovery projects.

Typhoon Ketsana (Philippines, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia)

Beginning on 29 September, close to 500 people in Southeast Asia died in the flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana. In the Philippines, there have been an estimated 290 fatalities and infrastructure and agriculture have sustained more than USD 100 million in damages. In Vietnam, more than 20,000 homes were destroyed. BCPR has dispatched two disaster specialists to the Philippines to begin assessments for an early recovery project, and more specialists are on standby for deployment. One of the specialists is focusing on the island of Mindanao, where she is working closely with the national government to assist in the development and implementation of a health, education, livelihoods and protection (HELP) plan. The other advisor is working with municipal governments in affected parts of Manila to identify early recovery needs, including income generation, debris removal, and the rebuilding of health infrastructure. The bureau has also offered assessment assistance to Lao PDR and Vietnam.

Photo credits:
1) West Sumatra 2009 © Jefri Aries/IRIN; 2) Samoa 2009/UNDP; and 3) Philippines 2009 ©Jason Gutierrez/IRIN