Hurricanes and drought case study

Question 1

Hurricane sandy key factors(developed country)

Answer 1

The hurricane travelled across the Caribbean Sea,
affecting the island nations of Jamaica, Cuba and
Haiti, before moving north to reach the USA.

It reached New Jersey on 29 October 2012.
By the time the hurricanes reached land, wind
speeds of 129 kmh were recorded.

The storm surges caused most of the damage.
to East Coast states.

“The use of social media such as Twitter and
Photographs uploaded to Flickr: helped with damage assessment.

Question 2

Impact of Hurricane Sandy:

Answer 2

Social
-Death toll of 150 people
-Homes and businesses damaged
-Schools closed
Economic
-Estimated property damage $65B
-Government had to buy petrol as there was low supply
-Tourism funding cancelled as new york marathon cancelled
Environmental
-Storm surge damaged coastal nature reserves like Prime hook national wildlife refuge in Delaware
-Sewage spilled into oceans and rivers

Question 3

Responses to Hurricane Sandy:

Answer 3

1.Government:
✔ FEMA – Deployed $48 billion in aid (housing, infrastructure, disaster loans).

✔ NY/NJ Rebuilding – Passed stricter building codes (elevated homes, flood-proofing). MTA spent $5 billion to waterproof tunnels.

2. NGO Responses
   ✔ Immediate Relief – Red Cross sheltered 74,000+ people.
3. Individual & Community Actions
   ✔ Volunteers – Cleared debris, donated supplies
   ✔ Crowdfunding – Raised millions via GoFundMe for victims.
   ✔ Preparedness – Residents installed generators, sump pumps, and flood barriers.

Question 4

Key facts about Typhoon Haiyan(developing country)

Answer 4

Formed on 2 November 2013 in the
South Pacific Ocean, close to the
Federated States of Micronesia.

When the typhoon reached land,
wind speed of over 300 kmh
were recorded

Most of the damage caused by
the typhoon was on the islands of
Samar and Leyte.

Flooding and landslide were
reported across the Philippines.

Question 5

What were responses to Typhoon Haiyan?

Answer 5

1. Government Responses

✔ State of Emergency – Declared nationwide; deployed military for rescue/logistics.
✔ Reconstruction – Launched “Build Back Better” program (storm-proof housing, hospitals).
✔ Early Warning Systems – Improved evacuation plans (saved lives in later typhoons).
✔Over 1.5B$ in aid from us and other countries

2.NGO Responses
✔ Emergency Relief –
Red Cross: Sheltered 1.2 million people.
Oxfam: Provided clean water to 500,000+.
Habitat for Humanity: Built 30,000+ typhoon-resistant homes.

Individual & Community Actions
✔ Local Volunteers – Cleared debris, distributed aid where government/NGOs couldn’t reach.
✔ Diaspora Support – Filipino migrants sent money/supplies (e.g., $1.2B+ remittances post-disaster).

Question 6

What were the impacts of Haiyan(developing)

Answer 6

Social:
-Estimated 6000 dead
-Significant loss of power
-Many homes destroyed
-600 000 people displaced from their homes

Environmental:
-Across the islands, coastal areas of mangroves were damaged and thousands of trees were.
uprooted. Several areas were evacuated because of chemical leaks from damaged industrial
facilities. A tanker also ran aground, which caused an oil spill.

Economic:
-The cost of the damage was estimated to be approximately USS2 billion. Transport across the.
Islands was disrupted, making the provision of aid and support difficult. Foreign aid agencies
‘were able to provide support for the effort.

Question 7

Californian drought responses:

Answer 7

1. Government Responses
   State of California:
   ✔ Emergency Measures – Mandatory 25% urban water cuts (2015), banned wasteful uses (e.g., car washing, lawn watering).
   ✔ Policy Changes – Passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (2014) to regulate over-pumping.
2. NGO Responses
   ✔ Emergency Relief – Distributed water tanks to rural communities
   ✔ Advocacy – Pushed for equitable water policies
   ✔ Education – Taught water conservation in schools
   ✔ Innovation – Funded tech like atmospheric water harvesters
3. Individual & Community Actions
   ✔ Water Savings – Installed low-flow showerheads, fixed leaks, shortened showers.
   ✔ Landscaping – Replaced lawns with native plants

Question 8

impacts of drought in Ethiopia

Answer 8

1. Social Effects
   Hunger & Death:
   1980s famine: 1 million died.
   Today, fewer deaths but malnutrition remains
   Displacement: Millions forced to leave homes due to no water/food.
   Women/Girls Suffer Most: Walk hours daily to find water; more drop out of school.
2. Economic Effects
   Animals die, crops fail (e.g., 2022: 70% livestock lost in Somali region).
   Many rely on food aid to survive.
   Poverty: 1 in 5 Ethiopians still very poor.
   Debt: Ethiopia borrows money to fight droughts.
3. Environmental Effects:
   Land Turns to Desert: Soil washes away, trees disappear.
   Water Disappears: Rivers & lakes dry up (12 million lack clean water).

Question 9

Responses to Ethiopian drought:

Answer 9

Ethiopian Government Responses
Emergency Aid: Distributes food/supplies during crises (but delays happen).
PSNP Program (2005–now): Pays 8 million people to build wells, roads, and farms instead of just giving handouts.
Climate Plans: Tries to grow drought-resistant crops and plant trees.
Problems: Corruption and war (e.g., Tigray) sometimes block aid.

2. International Help (UN, USA, EU, etc.)
   Food Aid: Ships millions of tons of food (e.g., 2023: UN fed 10 million people).
   Funding: Gives money for long-term projects (e.g., USAID’s $500M/year for farms).
   Problems: Rich countries often don’t give enough money on time.
3. NGOs (Charities Like Red Cross, Oxfam)
   Quick Help: Provides clean water, food, and medical care in remote areas.
   Community Projects: Teaches farmers better techniques (e.g., saving water).
   Live Aid 1985 was a charity concert raising money for drought relief

Question 10

Impacts of drought in California:

Answer 10

Social Impacts
Water shortages: Mandatory restrictions in cities (e.g., lawn watering bans)
Health risks
Displacement: Some farmworkers lost jobs

Economic Impacts
Agriculture: Lost $3 billion in 2014–2016; 500,000 acres left unplanted
Jobs: Over 20,000 farm jobs lost at peak
Costs: Household water bills rose 50%+ in some areas

Environmental Impacts
Forests: 150 million+ trees died, worsening wildfire risks
Wildlife: Salmon populations crashed; wetlands dried up
Land: Groundwater over-pumping caused land to sink (subsidence)
Seawater Intrusion: Seawater contaminated groundwater making it unable to use.