Evacuations, call for aid as Typhoon Ofel approaches Philippines | ABS-CBN
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Evacuations, call for aid as Typhoon Ofel approaches Philippines
Evacuations, call for aid as Typhoon Ofel approaches Philippines
Agence France-Presse
Published Nov 13, 2024 01:24 PM PHT
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Rescuers ferry stranded residents from their flooded houses at a village in Ilagan town, Isabela province on November 12, 2024, a day after Typhoon Nika hit the province. The Philippines issued fresh weather warnings on November 12 as the fifth major storm in three weeks bore down on the archipelago, days after thousands were evacuated ahead of Typhoon Nika. Villamor Visaya, AFP
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The Philippines ordered evacuations ahead of Typhoon Ofel on Wednesday, as the UN disaster office sought $32.9 million in aid for the country after storms that killed more than 150 people.
The Philippines ordered evacuations ahead of Typhoon Ofel on Wednesday, as the UN disaster office sought $32.9 million in aid for the country after storms that killed more than 150 people.
The national weather service said Ofel, the archipelago's fifth major storm in three weeks, was likely to make landfall Thursday in Cagayan province on the northeast tip of main island Luzon.
The national weather service said Ofel, the archipelago's fifth major storm in three weeks, was likely to make landfall Thursday in Cagayan province on the northeast tip of main island Luzon.
Provincial civil defense chief Rueli Rapsing said mayors had been ordered to evacuate residents in vulnerable areas, by force if necessary.
Provincial civil defense chief Rueli Rapsing said mayors had been ordered to evacuate residents in vulnerable areas, by force if necessary.
"Under (emergency protocols), all the mayors must implement the forced evacuation, especially for susceptible areas," he told AFP by telephone, adding as many as 40,000 in the province lived in hazard-prone areas.
"Under (emergency protocols), all the mayors must implement the forced evacuation, especially for susceptible areas," he told AFP by telephone, adding as many as 40,000 in the province lived in hazard-prone areas.
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The successive storms have taken a toll on the resources of both the government and local households, the UN said late Tuesday.
The successive storms have taken a toll on the resources of both the government and local households, the UN said late Tuesday.
About 210,000 of those most affected by recent flooding need support for "critical lifesaving and protection efforts over the next three months", the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
About 210,000 of those most affected by recent flooding need support for "critical lifesaving and protection efforts over the next three months", the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
"Typhoons are overlapping. As soon as communities attempt to recover from the shock, the next tropical storm is already hitting them again," UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said.
"Typhoons are overlapping. As soon as communities attempt to recover from the shock, the next tropical storm is already hitting them again," UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said.
"In this context, the response capacity gets exhausted and budgets depleted."
"In this context, the response capacity gets exhausted and budgets depleted."
A sixth storm, Tropical Storm Man-yi, currently near Guam, is expected to hit the Philippines as early as next weekend.
A sixth storm, Tropical Storm Man-yi, currently near Guam, is expected to hit the Philippines as early as next weekend.
Gonzalez urged "resource partners to support the UN effort and fill "critical funding gaps".
Gonzalez urged "resource partners to support the UN effort and fill "critical funding gaps".
The initiative "will help us mobilise the capacities and resources of the humanitarian community to better support government institutions at national, regional and local levels," he added.
The initiative "will help us mobilise the capacities and resources of the humanitarian community to better support government institutions at national, regional and local levels," he added.
Currently packing winds of 120 kilometers an hour, the storm is expected to bring severe winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
Currently packing winds of 120 kilometers an hour, the storm is expected to bring severe winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
More than 28,000 people displaced by recent weather events are still living in evacuation centers operated by local governments, the country's civil defense office said in its latest tally.
More than 28,000 people displaced by recent weather events are still living in evacuation centers operated by local governments, the country's civil defense office said in its latest tally.
Government crews were still working to restore downed power and communication lines and clearing debris from roads.
Government crews were still working to restore downed power and communication lines and clearing debris from roads.
About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the archipelago nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty.
About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the archipelago nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty.
A recent study showed that storms in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change.
A recent study showed that storms in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change.
© Agence France-Presse
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