Tropical Storm Ketsana struck the Philippines on 26 September 2009 and torrential rains, the heaviest in more than 40 years, caused severe flooding and massive population displacement in urban areas, but also in the surrounding countryside. Government reports and a joint government/United Nations rapid needs assessment indicate that the island of Luzon, which includes Metropolitan Manila, has been hit the hardest. Various meteorological reports have indicated the possibility of more tropical storms affecting the Philippines soon.
Following discussions with the Government and preliminary assessment information, WFP launched an Immediate Response-Emergency Operation (IR-EMOP 200074) on 28 September 2009, targeting 178,000 persons with 742 mt of rice, for which the food will be procured locally from the National Food Authority to facilitate a timely response.
As the magnitude of this disaster has unfolded, over 2.2 million people are currently reported as directly affected and there are growing concerns about the possibility of another typhoon within the coming weeks. On 27-28 September 2009, the Government, after declaring a state of calamity for 25 provinces in Luzon, officially appealed for humanitarian assistance fromthe international community and requested the United Nations Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the Inter-agency Standing Committee, to prepare a Flash Appeal. In line with these developments, and taking into account increasing needs on the ground (as reflected in the assessment results), WFP needs to urgently step up its capacity to respond.
Based on the findings from the joint assessment, WFP estimates that at least 50 percent of the 2.2 million affected persons have either already received necessary assistance from the Government or non-governmental organizations, or have alternate coping mechanisms to meet their immediate food needs.
Hence, the proposed three-month emergency operation is meant to provide immediate relief to approximately one million persons in need of emergency food assistance. WFP will target primarily internally displaced persons and other vulnerable people who are unable to access food through their normal livelihood means. WFP will also provide nutritious supplementary rations to an estimated 200,000 children under 5.
The overall objective of this emergency operation is to save lives and protect livelihoods of targeted households, who have been affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana. Specifically, the proposed activities aim to i) ensure adequate food access and consumption for targeted typhoon-affected populations; and ii) prevent deterioration of acute malnutrition among 2 children under 5 in targeted typhoon- affected populations. The operation will contribute to address Strategic Objective 1 of the WFP Strategic Plan (2008-2011).
WFP plans to conduct a more detailed food security and livelihoods assessment in coordination with the Government and non-governmental organizations, to inform a multisectoral response effort for both relief and early recovery. The assessment is expected to focus on the community needs for the early recovery and rehabilitation phase and provide the basis for the activities to be implemented. Based on the findings of this assessment, WFP will review planning assumptions for this operation and make adjustments accordingly.
