Typhoon Haiyan - November 2013

Philippines

Southeast Asia, made up of 7000 islands with over 100 million people and over 120 languages spoken

Development in the Phillippines

LIC - GDP of $3500

Economy built on agriculture, manufacturing, & service sectors

Issues with poverty

Frequency of storms

an average of 20 per year = possible complacency

Wind Speeds

>195mph

Catergory

5

How many died

6000

Tacloban City Population

240000

Tacloban Coastal Geography

Low lying - less protection = increased risks to infrastructure & settlements (the airport and downtown is less than 5m over sea level)

Construction of homes

built of lightweight materials = vulnerability to typhoon damage and flooding.

Mangroves

Natural barriers against storm surges and coastal erosion so loss of mangroves left coastal communities exposed to destructive forces of typhoons and rising sea levels.

Lack of Mangroves affecting biodiversity

Loss of fish/shellfish affecting fisherman’s income

Poverty & Inequality

Exacerbates the impacts of natural disasters - lacks resources to implement robust disaster preparedness measures or recover quickly

Reliance on agriculture & fishing

Tacloban relies heavily on agriculture and fishing for livelihood - destruction of crops, farmland, & fishing infrastructure leads to food insecurity and economic instability.

Close-Knit communities

Filipino society is often characterised by strong social bonds = mutual support ad resilience

Government challenges

Political dynamics include corruption & bureaucratic inefficacies = disaster preparedness and response efforts are often hindered, delaying recovery and support for affected populations.

International Aid

Reliance on int. assistance + partnerships to support recovery efforts after disasters

Foreign aid for Haiyan

$1.5 billion was pledgedby various countries and organizations to aid in recovery and rebuilding efforts

Cause of Haiyan

Exceptionally warmed sea-surface temperatures in the Western Pacific

People Displaced

600 million people = immense strain on local resources & infrastructure

Agricultural Impacts

>1 million farmers affected - major crop losses in rice, sugar, & coconuts = significant food insecurity and economic challenges.

Impact on Global Commodity Markets

Disrupted local & global agriculture markets = 7% drop in sugar prices and reduction in Philippines rice export hence benefitting competitors like India, Vietnam and Thailand

Oil Spill = Water Pollution

destruction of a power barge off the coast of Tacloban led to an oil spill = marine and coastal ecosystem degradation

Deforestation & Carbon Release

Uprooted a large number of trees = stored carbon released & long-term environmental challenges due to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity

Early warning and Evacuation

800,000 people were evacuated thanks to televised warnings so shelter sought before landfall - flooding of evacuation centers revealed weakness in infrastructure

Emergency Relief Operations

Tacloban Airport reopened in 3 days allowing immediate int. aid to come in

Food packs

1 million distributed

Water

250,000 liters spread

Rebuilding & Housing delays

The recovery process hindered by bureaucratic delays in land title processing = limited housing options & pushing some survivors further into poverty

Infrastructure & Security Enhancements

Looting + power shortages = need for improved security measures and infrastructure to bolster future resilience & preparedness for post-disaster scenarios

Main purpose of added early warning systems

To deliver timely alerts and evacuation advisories using meteorological data and communication networks = prompt evacuation and preparation for disaster

What infrastructure projects were developed in Tacloban after Haiyan

Construction of sea walls, flood barriers, and elevated shelters designed to withstand powerful typhoons

Why are the infrastructure developments important

Reduce risk of inundation and property damage, property damage, protection of residents and assets from extreme weather

Roles of community preparedness & education for disaster resilience

Empowers residents with knowledge of evacuation, emergency response, and hazard mitigation fostering self-reliance

How have remote Philippine communities contributed to disaster resilience?

By adopting renewable energy & solar technology, reducing fossil fuel resilience leading sustainable rebuilding efforts

What initiative has helped remote communities both environmentally and socially

Solar training led by local women, promoting resilience and innovation.

Why is mangrove restoration critical in coastal protection?

Mangroves act as natural barriers, reducing vulnerability to storm surges and supporting biodiversity

What are the benefits of mangrove restoration beyond storm protection?

Improved ecosystem health, long-term disaster risk reduction, and enhanced community well-being