HIGHLIGHTS
The peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberabon Front remains on track.
Securing land for the construction of temporary shelters remains the biggest challenge for the Tropical Storm Washi response.
Heavy rains flood tents in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. delaying the transfer of IDPs from evacuation centres to tented transitory sites.
Relief efforts continue after Washi
Two months after the storm, around 283.000 people remain displaced
Tropical Storm Washi, known locally as Sendong, swept through northern Mindanao on 17 December 2011, sending torrents of water, mud and logs crashing into 13 provinces. The storm affected an estimated 624,600 people and damaged about 40,000 houses. Two months later, some 283,000 people remain displaced, with over 13,600 people staying in 40 evacuation centres in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, and another 197,500 living with host families or in makeshift shelters.
The Government and aid agencies have provided urgent relief in the worst-affected areas and continue to offer support in shelter, food, water, sanitation, health, psycho-social care and other vital services. Government and humanitarian partners are also working to support local communities as they rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience. Shelter assistance and managing evacuation centres and transitory sites remain top priorities, while the need to build permanent housing and identify land for transitional shelters continues to pose a significant challenge.