Typhoon Haiyan - Philippines

Name of storm

Typhoon Haiyan

Where

Philippines (east Asia)

When

2013

Category hurricane

Category 5 with 190mph winds

What?

Typhoon Haiyan took place in the Philippines in 2013 and was a category 5 hurricane with 190mph winds.

Primary effects

• storm killed around 6,300 people

• many schools and hospitals were destroyed

• 550,000 houses destroyed leaving 5 million people homeless

• loss of forests, trees and widespread flooding

• 9 million people were directly affected

Secondary effects

• caused a storm surge around 5m high (flooding places)

• 6 months later, many people still had limited access to shelter and water

• 2.5 million people needed food aid

• high levels of pollution

• more diseases and ill health after hurricane due to lack of supplies and dirty water

• trauma - from the events of the hurricane and loss of family members

emergency responses

• the Philippine government tried to get aid and rescue people afterwards but were unable to cope with it all

• USA sent around 7000 troops to help distribute 300 tonnes of medical, food and water aid

• provided tents and shelter for months after the storm

• red cross delivered 1 million food packs in 2 weeks

• save the children helps provide medical help

long-term responses

• 33 countries raised around $1.5 billion in aid to help the Philippines recover after the hurricane

• HOWEVER…

• less than 150 houses built when hundreds of thousands are needed

• homes are being built unofficially in dangerous places due to the proximity to the sea and in danger of future storms. These are now being classified as ‘danger zones’ but the government isn’t stopping them

• many people are living in tents and waiting for a proper home.

Evacuation and warning before the storm

• warned 2 days before

• closely monitored and warned it was coming as a category 5 with winds up to 190mph

• around 800,000 people evacuated before the storm arrived saving many lives (population in Philippines is 108 million)

Why did so many not evacuate?

• some may have found out late to take action

• some didn’t believe the warnings and thought it wouldn’t be that bad

• people may have thought they could stay and protect their things

• may not have anywhere to go

• too expensive to leave for poorer people

• elderly, sick and disabled people may struggle to leave