OCHA: Yesterday’s Tsunami Alert Response Timeline

 

 

# 6277

 

 

Yesterday’s 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the northern shore of Sumatra did not end up generating a devastating tsunami, but that bit of good fortune wasn’t apparent until several hours after the event.

 

For a time vulnerable coastal regions across the Indian ocean were under a tsunami watch, and evacuations were ordered in some areas.

 

Below you’ll find a graphic from OCHA (the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), showing the alert response across the Indian ocean.

 

The timeline, showing the first quake and warnings, followed 2 hours later by a second 8.2 quake, are excerpted below.

 

 

 

After the tremendous earthquake and tsunami that devastated many coastal regions across the Indian ocean in 2005, tsunami warnings and preparedness have been taken far more seriously.

 

Last year’s earthquake/tsunami in Japan only reinforced the need for timely warnings and evacuations. 

 

For the most up-to-date tsunami information for the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean you will want to bookmark the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

 

 

As you can see, yesterday’s Sumatran earthquake have now slipped to positions 3 & 4, with 2 strong quakes in Baja California overnight. 

 

Neither of these most recent quakes produced a tidal wave.

 

For more on tsunami preparedness, you may wish to revisit a blog from last month called Tsunami: The Other Coastal Threat.

There I wrote about the history of tsunamis that have struck along the Atlantic coastline, and provided information and links for National Tsunami Preparedness Week.

 

 

As I wrote last month . . .

 

Tsunamis are relatively rare, but they are just one of many potential threats, which is why most experts recommend an `all threats’ preparedness strategy.

 

Disasters happen.

 

And so you need to have adequate emergency supplies (including a good first aid kit), a NOAA weather radio, and a disaster plan, in order to give you and your family the best protection.

 

Good places to get preparedness information include:

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS

http://www.redcross.org/

 

And you can click the following link to search this blog for my PREPAREDNESS ESSAYS.

Haiti: Unwelcome Rains & An OCHA Update

 

 

 

# 5601

 

 

With the Atlantic Tropical Storm season now underway the islands of the Caribbean are entering a six-month rainy season that will likely last until November.

 

Scores of tropical waves come off the African coastline and march across the Atlantic between June and November, or low pressure areas form over the warm tropical waters, and most years a dozen or more spin up to become hurricanes or tropical storms.

 

Even without the damaging winds of full blown hurricanes, tropical rains can have a heavy impact – and no island is more at risk than Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

 

Aside from the yearly summer threats of localized flash floods and mudslides (due to rampant deforestation), Haiti and the Dominican Republic are both dealing with a cholera outbreak. 

 

An outbreak that could easily be exacerbated by heavy rainfall.

 

With inadequate (often non-existent) water and sewage treatment capabilities on the island - heavy rains wash sewage from open pits, septic drain fields, and latrines into rivers - which are used for bathing and drinking water. 

 

As bad as the outbreak of Cholera has been, it arguably might have been worse if it had not started in October - near the end of last year’s rainy season.

 

This morning’s 8am NHC tropical weather outlook has a persistent rain maker with a moderate potential for development nearly stationary south-west of Haiti. 

 

Heavy rains, flash floods, and mudslides are forecast for portions of Haiti, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Southern Cuba.

 

 

Computer models are uncertain where this patch of disturbed weather will go, as steering winds are light and variable. Although it’s early in the season, this area will be watched for development.

 

 

Via Reliefweb, we’ve an OCHA humanitarian Bulletin – dated June 3rd – which covers the cholera situation, the aftermath of last year’s earthquake, tsunami & seismic threats, flooding, and other vulnerabilities in Haiti. 

 

 

Humanitarian Bulletin (06 May - 3 June 2011)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Download PDF (488.68 KB)

OVERVIEW

• Cholera alerts on the rise, including in Port-au-Prince

• Les Palmes and Nippes highly vulnerable to flooding

• Survival strategies of vulnerable households exhausted in some areas

• Specific needs of disabled and older IDPs overlooked

 

(EXCERPTS)

 

The number of weekly hospitalizations nationwide has increased from an average 1,700 to 2,600, reports PAHO in its latest bulletin dated May 27.

 

The South-East, Grande Anse, South and West are the departments most affected by outbreaks of cholera with a surge over the past three weeks in the number of daily alerts received from partners in the field. In the South-East department, the number of hospitalization has tripled over the past two weeks, with some of the cases coming however from neighboring West Department.

 

From 21-23 May, a significant increase of cases in
Port-au-Prince metropolitan area has also been
reported. As of 2 June, close to 2,000 cases and
13 deaths had been reported.

 

Some donors including ECHO and USAID have indicated the availability of new funds to respond to further cholera outbreaks.

 

 
PAHO is noting that it is too early to say whether there is a change in the tendency of the epidemic. The rise in the number of alerts might be due to the closure of Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) and Centers (CTCs), resulting in the accumulation of cases in other health infrastructures still open. 

 

Japan: OCHA SITREP # 12

 

 

 

# 5435

 

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have released their 12th situation report on the rescue/recovery operations (dated March 23rd) in the aftermath  of the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake a week ago last Friday.

 

While much of the world’s attention has been diverted from the rescue and recovery operations and focused on the concurrent nuclear crisis at Fukushima, Japan is undergoing their worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.

 

Whatever the end result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, it will pale in comparison to the the loss of life, emotional trauma, and property destruction experienced in the wake of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

A brief excerpt from the situation overview, but follow the link to read the entire report.

 

Emergency relief operations in Japan’s earthquake and tsunami affected Tohoku Region are ongoing but there is now mounting concern about increasing     radioactive contamination of some vegetables, water and milk in the  disaster affected areas. In Tokyo, authorities have also detected radioactive   iodine in tap water that exceeds the level considered safe for infants.

 

The Government of Japan has not yet released an estimate of the total number of people who have been affected by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami, the country’s worst humanitarian   disaster since the Second World War. More  than
24,000 people are feared to be dead or missing.

 

There are 9,408 confirmed deaths to date and 14,716 people remain missing. More and more     evacuees are  relocating to unaffected prefectures. To date, nearly 30,000 evacuees, about 13 percent,
have   already relocated to 437 municipalities in 43   prefectures.

 

The  number of people in evacuation centres in  and outside the affected areas has dropped to 261,000. This is nearly 57,000 less than yesterday. This includes the 83,778 people evacuated from
the 20  kilometre  zone around the  Fukushima      Nuclear Power Plant. Initially this number was reported to be 210,000. The Fukushima Prefecture reports that 23,000 of its evacuees are now taking refuge in non-effected prefectures. It’s estimated that there are 177,222 earthquake and disaster affected people living in the evacuation centres.

 

It’s unknown how many people are in need of
assistance that are not living in the evacuation centres.

 

 

 

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami - Situation Report No. 12

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

Date: 23 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 283.9 Kbytes)

This report is produced by OCHA. It was issued by the Regional Office in Asia Pacific with input from the UNDAC team in Tokyo. It covers the period from 22-23 March. The next report will be issued on the 25 March.

 

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• More aftershocks and freezing temperatures continue in affected areas
• Only half a million people now without electricity, but 2.1 million without water
• Radiation contamination found in tap water in Japan at levels not safe for infants
• Government of Japan bans the sale of 11 vegetables after radiation contamination found near Nuclear Power Plant
• UNDAC officially ends mission in Japan and hands over to OCHA

OCHA Japan SITREP # 7

 

 

 

# 5419

 

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a their latest situation report on the rescue/recovery operations (dated March 18th) in the aftermath  of the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake last Friday.

 

A small snippet from today’s report:

 

The weather conditions show no sign of improvement but rescue operations continue and another 154 people have been found  in the  last  24  hours. The government says more than 16,500 people remain stranded (10,000 in Iwate and 6,500 in Miyagi) but more than 100 helicopters have been mobilized by the Self Defence Force and police   and the coast guard for search and rescue missions. To date 26,000 survivors have been found.

 

This report (along with many others) is made available on Reliefweb.

 

 

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami, Situation Report No. 7

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

Date: 18 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 261.8 Kbytes)

Please find attached OCHA Situation Report No. 7, dated 18 March 2011, on the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The report was issued by the OCHA Regional Office for Asia Pacific.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• Number of dead and missing is now 16,600
• Rush to deliver humanitarian aid to evacuees and survivors
• Government introduces emergency plan to address fuel shortage
• World Bank initial loss estimates between US$15 billion and $35 billion
• Japan raises nuclear alert level to 5 at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
• All offers of assistance should be directed to the Government of Japan

OCHA Japan SITREP # 6

 

 

# 5414

 

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a their latest situation report on the rescue/recovery operations (dated March 17th) in the aftermath  of the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake on Friday.

 

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami, Situation Report No. 6

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

Date: 17 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 296.6 Kbytes)

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• Significant increase in the amount of humanitarian aid delivered but a lack of fuel is a major obstacle
• Government prioritizes assistance to the half a million sheltering in evacuation centres
• Bitter winter conditions, debris, and damaged roads continue to hamper relief operations
• International NGOs are urged to wait until search and rescue operations have finished before commencing activities.
• Military and Police help efforts at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

Japan: OCHA SITREP # 4

 

 

 

# 5402

 

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a new situation report on the rescue/recovery operations in the aftermath  of the 9.0 earthquake on Friday.

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami - Situation Report No. 4

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Date: 15 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 327.5 Kbytes)

Highlights/Key Priorities

· There has been a third explosion at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

· Radiation from the nuclear plant has reached harmful levels within the evacuation zone

· Emergency relief operations enter into their fifth day with some areas still inaccessible

· Food, water and fuel are reported to be running short in some parts of Japan

· Significant areas of the country remain without power and water

Japan: OCHA SITREP # 3

 

 

# 5391

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a fresh situation report on the aftermath of the 9.0 Honshu earthquake.

 

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami - Situation Report No. 3

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

Date: 14 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 348.9 Kbytes)

This report is produced by OCHA. It was issued by the Regional Office in Asia Pacific with input from UNDAC and the Kobe office. It covers the period from 13-14 March. The next report will be issued on the 15 March.

 

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

· Search and rescue remains the priority in tsunami and earthquake affected areas

· 15 international specialist teams deployed to support Government response

· Aftershocks continue to trigger tsunamis on the north-east coast

· Japan's State of Emergency continues in relation to its nuclear power plant

 

 

 

 

A few excerpts from the report (but follow the link to read the whole thing).

The  emergency  rescue  and  relief  operation
underway  in  northeast  Japan  continues  to  be
hampered  by  high  magnitude  aftershocks  and
tsunamis.  There  have  been  more  than  100
aftershocks  since  Friday’s  9.0  magnitude
earthquake  -  the  world’s  fifth  strongest  recorded earthquake.

 

Today,  a  magnitude  6  aftershock triggered a  three-metre  tsunami  in  the north-east of Japan.

 

The Japan Meteorological Agency says there is a 70 percent possibility of more aftershocks higher than  7.0  in  the  following  days.

 

The  impact  of  the disaster  is  exacerbated  by  winter  weather,  with temperatures dropping to less than 1 degree Celsius at night.

The worst  affected  areas  are  the  prefectures  along the  north-eastern  coast,  including  Iwate,  Miyagi, Fukushima,  Ibraki  and  Chiba.  The  pre-crisis population of these five prefectures was 14.8 million people,  of  whom  1.6  million  live  within  five kilometres of the coast.

 

The  Government  of  Japan  confirmed  that  1,647
people  have  died,  1,990  people  are  injured  and more  than  10,000  people  remain  missing.  The number is likely to increase once emergency service teams  reach  the  tsunami  affected  areas.

Haiti: Charting The Cholera Epidemic

 

 

# 5272

 

 

I’ve not done a lot on the Cholera outbreak in Haiti over the past few weeks, simply because Crofsblog has been extraordinarily dedicated to the story since it began.  And for daily coverage of Haiti, that’s the site to visit.

 

But from time to time - when I’ve thought I could add some value - I’ve posted on the outbreak, including:

 

MMWR: Haiti Cholera Update

Haiti: The Progression Of An Epidemic

Haiti: Updated Cholera Outbreak Map

 

Sixty days ago I posted some graphics showing the progression of the Cholera Epidemic through the end of November.  At the time, the mortality rate was listed at 2.2%.

 

These are just reported numbers, of course. The real numbers are likely much higher.   Also, a great many more people are assumed to be asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria.

 

Today OCHA has posted a freshly updated map, and chart of the epidemic’s progress, hosted by Reliefweb.  You can download the map in its entirety at the link below, but I’ve excerpted a couple of interesting segments to highlight.

 

Haiti: Cholera Cumulative Cases since October 2010 (as of 24 Jan 2011)

• Date: 27 Jan 2011
• Type: Natural Disaster
• Keyword(s): Epidemic; Health; Natural Disaster; Affected Population
• Format:

  PDF *, 1218 Kb

 

 

In addition to depicting the spread of the epidemic in a series of maps, this release also charts the number of cases and fatalities. 

 

While 4000+ deaths is obviously a tragedy, the CFR (case fatality ratio) has dropped considerably over what was first reported back in October (roughly 8%).  

 

 

A goodly portion of this drop can no doubt be attributed to better surveillance and the counting of less severe cases, which may not have been included in the earliest numbers. 

 

Some of it, however, is undoubtedly due to the ramped up response by numerous relief agencies to the crisis.

 

 

Even assuming the vagaries of surveillance and reporting out of Haiti, and the likely undercounting of fatalities (and total cases), these numbers indicate that progress is being made.

 

That earthquake ravaged Port-au-Prince is running under a 1% mortality rate is actually quite remarkable.

 

And the (roughly) 2% CFR outside of the capital is noteworthy as well, given the pre-existing disease burdens and poor health care infrastructure that exists in rural Haiti.

 

While the cholera situation in Haiti can hardly be described as good, thankfully, it does appear that some progress is being made.

 

For some background on other diseases plaguing Haiti, you may be interested an a blog I wrote last November:

 

Haiti: Three Non-Cholera Health Threats

Haiti: The Progression Of An Epidemic

 

 

# 5108

 

 

A truly illuminating look at the relentless spread of cholera in Haiti comes today via a series of maps released by OCHA that show the geographic and numerical case load progression of the illness from October 20th through November 29th.

 

As with most epidemics, the increases in the beginning are small, but they quickly explode.

 

Some of that may be due to limited surveillance and reporting during the first couple of weeks.  But as more and more people become carriers, the actual spread of the illness accelerates rapidly.

 

 

 

These are just reported numbers, of course. The real numbers are likely much higher.   Also, a great many more people are assumed to be asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria.

 

A series of maps shows how this outbreak started in one department (Haiti is divided into 10 Departments), and in a matter of a couple of weeks spread to 5, then 7, and finally all 10 departments.

 

 

 

You can download the entire graphic from ReliefWeb.

 

Haiti: Cholera Cumulative Cases since 20 October 2010 (as of 29 Nov 2010)

• Date: 01 Dec 2010
• Type: Natural Disaster
• Keyword(s): Affected Population; Epidemic; Health; Natural Disaster
• Format:

  PDF *, 1344 Kb

• Source(s):
  - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)