Western Visayas (Region VI)
Rapid Humanitarian Assessment
of northern municipalities of Negros Occidental
02 December 2013
Negros Occidental is part of the Western Visayas region (VI). Seen from the track of the
Typhoon it was clear that the region would not be among the most affected. Still, the
northern municipalities had to suffer under the impact of the Typhoon. The assessment was
launched as the area was still, after three weeks after the Typhoon hit, in terms of
assessment and response a white spot. The very few assessments conducted before hand
did not give sufficient information about needs and gaps in the response.
Purpose: to gain a better understanding on the humanitarian situation and status of
outstanding needs and gaps in the response at 3 northern-most municipalities of Negros
Occidental
Participants : Rep of Shelter Cluster, Protection Cluster, Food Security Cluster, CCCM Cluster,
OCHA
Methodology: Visit of cities of Sagay, Cadiz and Victorias: Meeting with the Mayors of these
municipalities to gather information on needs and gaps in the response.
Overall observation:
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Municipalities are reportedly less affected than Panay Island.
All evacuation centres are closed by now.
All Health centres are in operation. All schools have reopened.
No reports of unaccompanied or separated children.
Limited international support has been received
Nevertheless, there is a unmet need in terms of emergency shelter and early recovery.
Each city had provided immediate relief food packs to affected population
In more detail:
Sagay City:
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3000 houses have been totally destroyed, 13 000 houses partially damaged.
200 fishing boats lost
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All schools are back to normal, just one week closure in three villages
Most affected Barangays were Molocaboc and Suyac Islands
Largest damages in the coastal villages, where the houses are built with light materials and
where the most vulnerable people live
No casualties reported
150 000 food packs distributed in 25 Barangays
Agriculture:
o damages amount to approximately 35 Million Pesos
o report of damages has been submitted to regional and central government
o no indication of type and amount of support that will be provided
Cash transfers are planned:
o 5000 pesos for those who had their house totally destroyed
o 3000 pesos for those who had their house partially destroyed
Resettlement is being planned for those living in high-risk areas, total of 400 households
o One area of 8 hectares has been identified
o Each household will have an area of 80 sqm
Support received from local organizations such as Rotary and Lions Club and from one
individual managing a school who has supported the repair of 28 fishing boats, no
international organization currently working at Sagay
Early warning worked well, population was alerted and evacuated on time.
Consideration on Food Security and Agriculture: from the air, damages on agriculture appear
limited, trees standing, crops standing in the field, agricultural activity on-going. Main crops
are sugar cane, rice. No food security issue is apparent. Damage to crops estimated 27.7 Mio
Pesos.
Local authorities are able to provide space in warehouse and offices; shelter material should
not be purchased on local market as prices are already going up for shelter materials
Cadiz City:
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Cadiz was the hardest hit in Negros Occidental.
5000 houses are reported to be totally destroyed, and 17 000 partially damaged.
Crops and fisheries have suffered damages
Agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizers are not available
Damages on the crops in reproductive stage
291 hectares of rice has been damaged, 33 hectares of corn
66 non-motorized boats, 284 motorized boats have been damaged
No external support has been received so far, while few assessments have been recorded
Main priority is shelter
Some prices are increasing in Cadiz City for shelter materials (Nipa from 400 pesos before
Yolanda to 700 pesos today)
Warehouse available (3 badminton courts), as well as office space
All schools are open
Limited number of injuries, just one severely injured girl, reported
Relocation of people living in high-hazard areas is being considered
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Early warning functioned well, evacuation successful
Consideration on Food Security and Agriculture: limited damages to agriculture, deeper
assessment may be required to confirm this consideration. Agricultural activity on-going in
the fields. Need for rice seeds and fertilizer.
No presence of international assistance.
Victoria City:
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5000 houses have been partially damaged, 600 houses have been totally destroyed
15000 people have been evacuated on time (total population 90 000 people)
No casualties reported
300 million Pesos damages are recorded on sugar cane
Rice damages amount to 2.7 million Pesos, fishery 1 million pesos, livestock 0.7 million pesos
and high value crops 9 million pesos
3000 pesos are being transferred to those who have lost their house
No price increases reported on shelter items and food
Relocation of up to 5000 persons deemed vulnerable from coastal areas proposed
Main problem in Victoria City are the floods, due to high tide and from the mountains
Consideration on Food Security and Agriculture: from the aerial assessment, agricultural
activity goes on, tractors working in the field preparing land, crops standing, limited amount
of fallen trees. No food security issue raised by the Mayor. Damage on sugar cane may be
worthwhile to be further investigated.
Requests for possible future assistance
Main priority is the support with shelter material. Whereas all cities can offer storage facilities and
office space, it is recommended not to purchase the material on the local market as prices are
already rising. The capital Bacolod might be a possibility.
More information on exact needs in the field of shelter can be obtained via Shelter Cluster
Coordinator Gustavo (coord4.phil (at) sheltercluster.org, 0915 946 8721)
Support with psychologically counselling was requested.
For further information, pls. contact
Albrecht Beck, UN-OCHA Roxas at beck2 (at) un.org, 0915 416 1160