typhoon haiyan

• Typhoon Haiyan, a category five typhoon, struck the Philippines, close to Tacloban on in November, 2013. Originated in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most powerful typhoons to affect the Philippines. Wind speeds of 314 kilometres per hour were recorded.
• Primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan:

  • people were made homeless,
  • roads were blocked by fallen trees and other debris
  • Tacloban experienced a 5-metre storm surge, and 400mm of rainfall flooded.
  • 90% of Tacloban was destroyed
  • 6100 people died
  • 29,000 people were injured
  • 4 million people were made homeless
  • The overall cost of damage was around $12 billion
  • 1.1 million tonnes of crops destroyed
• Secondary effects of Typhoon Haiyan:

  • diseases spread, due to contaminated water.
  • Survivors fought for food and supplies.
  • Power supplies were cut off.
  • Education was disrupted as many schools were destroyed.
  • Rice prices had risen by nearly 12% by 2014.
  • Flooding caused landslides.
• Immediate responses of Typhoon Haiyan:

  • The government issued a televised warning to people to prepare and evacuate.
  • 8000 people were evacuated. The government provided essential equipment and medical supplies.
  • Over 1,200 evacuation centres were set up to help the homeless.
  • 1 million food packs and 250,000 litres of water were distributed.
  • Over $1.5 billion of foreign aid was pledged. 
• Long term responses to Typhoon Haiyan:

  • A cash for work programme paid people to clear debris and rebuild Tacloban.
  • The international charity organisation Oxfam replaced fishing boats.
  • Build Back Better is the government’s response to the typhoon. Launched in 2014, it intended to upgrade damaged buildings to protect them from future disasters.