Snapshot 12 – 19 November
In Syria, government forces took control of opposition held areas near Qalamoun, at the outskirts of Damascus and in Aleppo governorate, increasing military pressure on the fragmented opposition. With no official date set for the delayed Geneva II peace conference, the gradual change in the military balance on the ground is likely to have lasting effects. After significantly strengthening their military position in recent weeks, armed Syrian Kurdish groups announced their intention to form a transitional autonomous administration similar to the Iraqi Kurdistan model, a move that is likely to further exacerbate the Kurdish issue on a regional level.
In the Philippines, with a reported increase in humanitarian access, the fluctuating numbers of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan are being progressively refined. To date, an estimated 12.9 to 13 million people, including 5.4 million children, have been affected by the disaster according to OCHA. Over four million people, including 1.7 million children, are reportedly displaced. Humanitarian partners warn that the numbers of IDPs is likely to grow as people continue to move from the areas worst affected by the disaster in search of aid and shelter. To date, at least 3,600 people have been killed by Typhoon Haiyan.
Although numbers of affected remain lacking, Vietnam has been affected by both Cyclone Podul and Typhoon Haiyan over the past ten days. At least 41 people have been killed in rains triggered by Podul, adding to the 14 people killed in the passage of Haiyan. Information on damages remains limited.
According to humanitarian partners, an estimated 278,000 people have been affected by mid-November seasonal floods in South Sudan, with Jonglei state being the worst affected area. Information on damages remains lacking.
Last Updated: 19/11/2013 Next Update: 26/11/2013