MYANMAR
On 24 August, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar, killing three people and damaging buildings including more than 100 pagodas. The epicenter of the quake was 25 kilometres west of Chauk, 207 kilometres north-west of Nay Pyi Daw. Due to its location in a sparsely populated area and at a depth of 84 kilometres, the humanitarian impact of the quake was low.
Since the end of July, almost 500,000 people across 11 states/regions have been affected by the monsoon flooding. Displacement numbers have now stabilized and the Government at local, state and regional levels is leading the response, in close cooperation with the Myanmar Red Cross Society and other local actors. A US$3.5 million CERF Rapid Response request has been made to support initial life-saving food security, health and protection activities for more than 80,000 people in the Ayeyarwady, Magway and Mandalay Regions.
500,000 people affected
Approximately 8,000 children in 42 villages across Myanmar's remote Naga Self-Administered Zone have been vaccinated for measles as part of an emergency outbreak response. The outbreak has so far claimed 38 lives, most of them children, in the townships of Lahe and Nan Yun. There have been no additional cases reported in the past week with the containment and immunization campaign now underway. The response is being led by the Myanmar Ministry of Health, regional and local health authorities with support from WHO and UNICEF.
INDONESIA
As of 28 August, 32 hot spots had been identified in Riau, central eastern coast of Sumatra, adversely affecting air quality in the area. Strong winds have caused thick smoke from the fires to reach Singapore. A joint task force of various stakeholders including the private sector has been working to extinguish the forest fires alongside BNPB who have mobilized 17 airplanes and helicopters.
Mt. Sinabung, currently on the highest level of alert, continues to spew out hot volcanic clouds. As a result 9,315 people have been forced to leave their homes and are currently living in nine displacement sites. Government reports suggest that the needs of the displaced people are currently being adequately met.
INDIA
Monsoon rains affected more than 6 million people and killed at least 300 as rivers overflowed in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand states. As of 22 August, Bihar State authorities confirmed that 119 people had died and 150,000 people were sheltering in 162 relief camps. WASH, health, shelter and livelihood support have been identified as immediate needs. National and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed to support local evacuation and relief efforts. To date, no international assistance has been requested.
300 people dead