Typhoon Vinta (Tembin) Response

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On December 20, 2017, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) located east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur developed into a Tropical Depression (TD), entered into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was named “Vinta” , the 22nd tropical cyclone to enter the PAR in 2017. The TD traversed a westerly direction threatening the island of Mindanao with strong winds and heavy rains and leaving a path of destruction and suffering.

NDRRMC Situation Report No. 14 for TS Vinta reveals that the storm severely affected the provinces of the Samar Islands (Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar) and Lanao (Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte). Although the SitRep does not have damage estimate for Lanao del Sur, initial estimates runs to hundreds of millions.

Affected Barangays in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur
ProvinceTotal in the ProvinceAffectedPercentage Total
LDS1,17839233%
LDN514 (Partial)117n.a
Total1,692509n.a
* Data are based on EcoWEB/CLEARNet documentation.

The most heavily affected barangays are in the municipalities of Bacolod-Kalawi, Balindong, Tugaya, Madalum, Madamba, Ditsaan-Ramain, Bubong and Molundo in Lanao del Sur. In Lanao del Norte the most affected are in the municipalities of Munai, Salvador, Maigo, Kapatagan, Kolambugan and Tubod.

The EcoWEB Vinta Response Team (VRT) documented a total of 163,726 individuals from 33,661 families from 509 barangays affected in the two Lanao provinces. The NDRRMC reported a total of 121,340 individuals (LN=61,998, LS=59,342) from 21,385 households (LS-11,883 LN=14,184) in 304 barangays (LN=102, LS-202) were affected by the STS Vinta. The discrepancy could be due to the situation were EcoWEB and CLEARNet has direct links with some barangays that as of January 1, has not submitted report to local DRRM offices.

The total affected population in the two provinces were 7.4 % and 7% of the total provincial populations of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte respectively.

Affected Populations
Total Number of Families/Households and Affected Population *Affected Individuals
ProvincesProvincial TotalAffected HouseholdPercentage to TotalTotalAffected IndividualsPercentageNo. of EC
Lanao del Sur160,83511, 8837.4%1,045,42959,3425.7%3
Lanao del Norte190,00614, 1847.4%   676,39561,9989.2%8
Total350,84126,0677.4%1,721,824121,3407%11
* Household Population is computed at average of 6.5 members per household.

 A total of 216 casualties including 132 dead and 60 missing were recorded by EcoWEB team. The number recorded is higher than the 99 dead reported by the NDRRMC for both Region X and ARMM where Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur are included respectively.The number of missing 176 is higher compared to the EcoWEB report of 60 persons.

The casualties are largely due to the flash flood and the landslides that covered virtually whole villages. People interviewed by the team consistently reveal that they never expected that the storm will cross their villages.

    

Map: Vinta-Affected Areas in Lanao del Norte
Map: Vinta-Affected Areas in Lanao del Sur

From the above pattern, it is largely due to topography and the type of hazard the area was exposed to. While the whole of Lanao del Sur and Norte to the same climatic stimuli – heavy rainfall and strong wind – generally flat topography of the eastern side resulted to massive flooding along the bank of the Lake and its tributary rivers while the steeply sloppy and rugged topography of the west resulted to flash floods the brought heavy toll to life and property despite the smaller affected area. In terms of vulnerability, the people in the east already had experienced of flooding while those in the west never had experience of flash floods.

Some local CSOs have responded to the emergency however generally limited as most of the CSOs resources where exhausted by the earlier response to the Marawi crisis. Local CSOs are trying hard to mobilize resources from their national and international partners. Most local CSOs are trying to mobilize resources with little success.

Among those who were able to immediately respond was the Duyog Marawi of the Prelature of Marawi who was able to preposition some goods in the affected areas in Lanao del Sur. Duyog Marawi has been active in the Marawi Crisis response and among the active CSO members of the Bangon Marawi CSO Platform.

FoodNon-Food ItemsPsychosocial
132 food packs100 hygiene kitsPSS for children
696 Rica food packs (all affected)
150 food packs150 hygiene kits
61 food packs82 hygiene kits and jerry cans;  100 hygiene kits for children

EcoWEB immediately contacted its funding partners. Some international agencies including Christian Aid and Good Neighbors immediately responded. Christian Aid provided support to ECOWEB and CSO partners in the conduct of rapid damage and needs assessment of Typhoon Vinta affected communities in Lanao del Norte and Sur, hence this assessment report an analysis. With the support of Good Neighbors, ECOWEB and local CSO partners have immediately applied the Survivor and Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach in assessing the specific needs and conduct planning with some of the identified affected communities. 548 families who lost their homes in Salvador and Munai, Lanao del Norte ad Balindong, Lanao del Sur are included in the cash assistance. Another 1,200 kitchen kits and hygiene kits shall be distributed to other families made homeless by Typhoon Vinta.

EcoWEB immediately contacted its funding partners. Some international agencies including Christian Aid and Good Neighbors immediately responded. Christian Aid provided support to ECOWEB and CSO partners in the conduct of rapid damage and needs assessment of Typhoon Vinta affected communities in Lanao del Norte and Sur, hence this assessment report an analysis. With the support of Good Neighbors, ECOWEB and local CSO partners have immediately applied the Survivor and Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach in assessing the specific needs and conduct planning with some of the identified affected communities. 548 families who lost their homes in Salvador and Munai, Lanao del Norte ad Balindong, Lanao del Sur are included in the cash assistance. Another 1,200 kitchen kits and hygiene kits shall be distributed to other families made homeless by Typhoon Vinta.