Saturday, February 10, 2018

Disaster Risk Management for Health

Earthquake hits Negros Oriental, Philippines

15 February 2012. A 6.9-magnitude undersea blind thrust earthquake occurred off the coast of Negros Oriental, Philippines, on Monday, 6 February 2012 at 11:49 PST (03:49 UTC), with the epicenter approximately 72 kilometers (44 miles) north of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) gave a level two tsunami alert, indicating that the public should be on watch for "unusual waves", but did not call for any evacuation. Despite this, in Cebu City, panic ensued and many residents fled towards higher ground due to rumors that a tsunami had hit the coastal villages of Ermita, Mambaling and Pasil.

As of 14 February 2012, there were 42 reported dead, 54 injured and 66 missing. Total population affected was 231 945, out of which 42 045 are residing in
74 evacuation centres and the others are staying with relatives or fiends. The Department of Health immediately mobilized assorted drugs and medicines and cadaver bags for the victims of landslide in Tayasan, Negros Oriental. A medical team conducted a rapid health assessment in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental last
6 February.

So far, no outbreak of disease has been reported. However, availability of safe drinking water, sanitation and waste disposal particularly in the evacuation centres remains an area of concern. No appeal for external assistance has been made by the Government of the Philippines.