Typhoon Haiyan

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

8/11/2013
Hit Philippines in the south-east, in Tacloban
Category 5 - 196mph winds
Crossed across south of country, avoiding Manila
15m high storm surge

Question 2

Vulnerability of Philippines

Answer 2

Limited transport infrastructure
Lightweight building materials
Funnel-shaped bays - huge storm surge
High coastal population
Low lying land
High population density
Lack of warning
Lack of aid
LIC

Question 3

Primary Impacts

Answer 3

Flooding up to 1km inland
6000 fatalities - most drowning
Buildings not made of concrete were destroyed
Evacuation centre became a death trap when storm surge entered the hall
Widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure
American army officer flying over - “I do not believe there is a single structure that is not destroyed or severely damaged in some way”

Question 4

Secondary Impacts

Answer 4

Thousands of coconut trees and paddy fields destroyed leaving 10k families without income
2 mil homeless
Airport damaged by storm surge
Looting and violence breaks out
50% export crops lost

Question 5

Short term response

Answer 5

Philippines meteorological agency warned two days before storm hit - 750,000 evacuated
Immediate response from survivors, searching for bodies
Gov. response criticised for being too slow
UK gov. provided food shelter, clean water, medicine for 800,000 victims
Intl. aid took a week to arrive due to damaged airport
No electricity, food or medical supplies a week later as Red Cross convoy ambushed

Question 6

Long term response

Answer 6

Charities helping people to get their livelihoods back - repairing fishing boats, distributing rice seeds
UN launched an intl. aid appeal in December for $500mil
Public-private partnerships played a big role in rehabilitation:
- Cebu Mactan airport became hub for flights bringing aid
- Restoration of fresh drinking water to hospitals + evacuation centres
1 month after:
- 100,000 remained in evacuation