Indonesia
Over the past week, Mt. Agung, an active volcano on Bali island, continued to spew ash accompanied by a series of eruptions. On 27 November, the Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the alert from Level 3 (High Alert) to the highest Level 4 (Danger), in anticipation of a large eruption. As of 25 November, an estimated 25,000 people are in 225 evacuation sites; BPNB in collaboration with local authorities are continuing to verify the number of evacuees. Masks are being distributed to people who may be in the path of the volcanic ash and PVMBG continues to alert communities and tourists to avoid the 8 to 10 km radius danger zone around the volcano. The main airport in Bali, Ngurah Rai International Airport, is closed until 28 November. The Government has not requested international assistance.
25,000 people evacuated
Bangladesh
Since 22 November, 3,000 new Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from Rakhine State (Myanmar). An estimated 640,000 refugees arrived in Cox’s Bazar since August. Population movements within Cox’s Bazar remain highly fluid, with increasing concentration in Ukhia, where the Government has allocated 3,000 acres for camps. The Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) Humanitarian Hub in Ukhia will become operational in the coming week. ISCG will deploy staff to the field to provide coordination services on the ground for sector partners, authorities and NGO partners.
640,000 Rohingya refugees arrived in Bangladesh
Myanmar
On 6 November, WFP was able to resume food distributions in Maungdaw District and has reached 23,000 people as of 24 November. Further distributions are ongoing in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. The Red Cross Movement continues to provide humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State, including Maungdaw District and Rathedaung Township, and has distributed food to 119,000 people and non-food items to 42,560 people as of 17 November. However, access in these areas remains severely restricted for most other humanitarian organizations.
Afghanistan
As of 26 November, about 360,600 people were displaced by conflict in Afghanistan, 16,650 people more compared to the previous week. As part of the winterization assistance being rolled out across the country, WFP dispatched 940 metric tons of food for 110,000 people in eastern and southern regions to ensure distributions can continue through winter even if roads are blocked by snow.
Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that there are no more armed fighters from the ISIS-affiliated Maute group in Marawi City. However, security forces continue to monitor the situation in the affected areas, with most continuing to be off limits to civilians. Local authorities and humanitarian agencies continue to construct temporary housing, install water pumps and provide skills training to the IDPs as part of ongoing relief and recovery programmes. The social welfare department encouraged partners to hire IDP workers for its cash-for-work reconstruction activities.