THE PHILIPPINES – Intermittent heavy rains that started in early June caused flooding in low-lying areas of Maguindanao province, which declared a state of calamity. The Regional, Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils have provided food packs to 160,000 people. Agencies from the Mindanao Humanitarian Team have pre-positioned relief items as a preparedness measure should government counterparts request bilateral assistance. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Tropical Storm Rammasun is expected to intensify as it moves westward across the Pacific and in to the Philippine Area of Responsibility over the next 24-48 hours. Residents in Northern Visayas and Luzon have been advised to closely monitor developments.

INDONESIA – Heavy rain from early Jul caused flooding in Petir Urban Village of Cipondoh District in Tangerang City, Banten.230 houses were inundated and roads were blocked. The Tangerang PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) evacuated the affected people who have since returned to their houses.

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Four children have died out of five suspected cases of meningococcal disease in the village of Goge (population 100), Makira. Ministry of Health officials and WHO visited the area on 8 Jul to further investigate the outbreak. Antibiotics are being provided, along with community education at the local market.

JAPAN – Tropical Storm Neoguri dumped heavy rain and caused strong winds, high tides, heavy rains and cut power as it swept across Japan on 8-11 Jul. Neoguri causes 3 deaths and 63 injured. On 11 Jul, Neoguri was downgraded to a tropical cyclone after passing the north-east coast of Japan. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck on 11 Jul off the coast of north-east Japan, triggering a small tsunami. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Fukushina, Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, which it later amended to tsunami advisories for coastal regions. There have been no reports of major damage.

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA – As of 10 Jul, health officials confirmed suspected measles cases in Pohnpei, with 1 death and 33 people hospitalised. Vaccinations and transmission awareness campaigns are being conducted in affected municipalities, however there are fears that cases will increase.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – In response to landslides that occurred in Hela and Southern Highland Provinces at the beginning of the month, the provincial government released PGK 500,000 (US$205,000) for emergency relief and maintenance of government infrastructure. In PNG, a measles outbreak has been reported in 21 provinces. The National Department of Health disease surveillance has reported over 43 deaths since the outbreak and has increased its vaccination efforts.

INDONESIA – Heavy rain from early Jul caused flooding in Petir Urban Village of Cipondoh District in Tangerang City, Banten.230 houses were inundated and roads were blocked. The Tangerang PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) evacuated the affected people who have since returned to their houses.

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Four children have died out of five suspected cases of meningococcal disease in the village of Goge (population 100), Makira. Ministry of Health officials and WHO visited the area on 8 Jul to further investigate the outbreak. Antibiotics are being provided, along with community education at the local market.

JAPAN – Tropical Storm Neoguri dumped heavy rain and caused strong winds, high tides, heavy rains and cut power as it swept across Japan on 8-11 Jul. Neoguri causes 3 deaths and 63 injured. On 11 Jul, Neoguri was downgraded to a tropical cyclone after passing the north-east coast of Japan. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck on 11 Jul off the coast of north-east Japan, triggering a small tsunami. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Fukushina, Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, which it later amended to tsunami advisories for coastal regions. There have been no reports of major damage.

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA – As of 10 Jul, health officials confirmed suspected measles cases in Pohnpei, with 1 death and 33 people hospitalised. Vaccinations and transmission awareness campaigns are being conducted in affected municipalities, however there are fears that cases will increase.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – In response to landslides that occurred in Hela and Southern Highland Provinces at the beginning of the month, the provincial government released PGK 500,000 (US$205,000) for emergency relief and maintenance of government infrastructure. In PNG, a measles outbreak has been reported in 21 provinces. The National Department of Health disease surveillance has reported over 43 deaths since the outbreak and has increased its vaccination efforts.