of Populations Affected by Tropical Storms and ts Righ erty Prop and d Lan ing, Hous on s;'® ster Disa Other Natural Determined as the national human rights institution mandated under the 1987 Philippine Constitution to promote and protect human rights in the Philippines, CHRP issues the following advisory: I. CONTEXT As of 29 January 2014, an estimated 4,095,280 people have been identified as being displaced by Typhoon Yolanda,'” with many being unable to return to their original places of residence. 1,140,332 homes have been identified as destroyedor severely damagedby the typhoon. The Commission takes note of the action taken by the national Government, local ta governmentunits in the affected areas, and other relevant agencies in responding to survivors through emergency shelter programmes. The Commissionalso recognizes the invaluable assistance of the United Nations, particularly, the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)in past and continuing efforts in respondingto the situation of displaced families and individuals by typhoon Yolanda. The partnership with the UNHCR through the CHR — IDPproject and__ with the OHCHR in monitoring the human rights situation of affected populations has been enabling for the Commission as we advance workin the context of the country’s period of recovery and reconstruction. We acknowledgethe notable contribution of the OHCHR and the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing to the development of this advisory. Everyone has the right to adequate and decent housing, even in times of natural disasters. The State has the obligationto respect, protect andfulfil the housing, land and property rights of populations affected by Typhoon Yolanda in accordance with its international commitments on human rights, the 1987 Philippine Constitution and domestic laws.”? ° 9 National authorities have the primary responsibility to protect housing, land and CHR Advisory on Human Rights Standards on Housing, Land and Property Rights of Populations Affected by Tropical Storms and Other Natural Distasters, CHR (IV) — A2012-002, 21 May 2012 and CHR Supplemental Advisory on Human Rights Standards on Housing, Land and Property Rights of Populations Affected by Tropical Storms and Other Natural Distasters, CHR — 2013-010, 14 December 2014. 19 Situation Report No. 104 on the Effects of Typhoon Yolanda, 29 January 2014, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Avalable online at http://www.ndrrmc. gov. ph/attachments/article/1125/Update%20 Sitrep%20No.%20104%20Effects%200f%20T Y %20YOLANDApdf 20 CHR Advisory on Adequate Housing and the Humane Treatment of Informal Settlers, 2011. See Principle 3, Paragraph 1, UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.