Case Study 2 - Typhoon Haiyan

Question 1

Statements (2)

Answer 1

One of strongest tropical storms ever recorded
The deadliest in Philippine modern history

Question 2

Formation…(3++)

Answer 2

It originated from a low-pressure area in the western Pacific Ocean on 2/11/13
Developed into a tropical storm and by 6/11/13 intensified to become a category 5 storm = wind speeds of 250km/hr
The storm reached the Philippines on 7/11/13 = eye wall caused great destruction around Tacloban with wind speed over 300km/hr

Question 3

Vulnerability (5)

Answer 3

The Philippines lies in a tropical storm belt and people are used to typhoon events
Underestimated the strength of the storm = size of the storm surge with waves well over 5m
Tacloban has experienced rapid rural to urban migration leading to high population density and overcrowding
Poorly constructed houses on flat land near the sea or on steep hillsides
Since 1900 sea levels have risen by 20cm

Question 4

Primary impacts (5)

Answer 4

Over 6000 fatalities + 1000 declared missing
2 million people homeless + 6 million displaced
Over 130,000 tonnes of rice lost together with much of the coconut crop = half of the country’s agricultural exports.

Question 5

Secondary impacts (5’

Answer 5

Flooding and landslides blocked major roads hampering relief work – air relief the only option
Widespread looting
Total cost of damaged = $2.9billion
Farmers lost land and crops = loss of income
Fishing industries devastated = loss of 30,000 boats + equipment

Question 6

Short term response (3)

Answer 6

The (UN) released US$25 million in emergency funds
The UK deployed two navy ships supplying over 200,000 tonnes of aid
The Philippines Red Cross delivered basic food = rice

Question 7

How was tech used in rescue effort (2)

Answer 7

Infrared satellite images used to locate areas of devastation
Thermal cameras helped to detect bodies buried under the debris

Question 8

Response = fail (3)

Answer 8

Some struggled to access aid
For example many people had limited access to water and shelter 6 months later
The government was criticised for its slow response and the media criticised preparation

Question 9

Long term responses (4+)

Answer 9

Grants were made available for local fishing businesses to buy new boats + Oxfam provided rice to farmers
‘Save the Children’ helped to build tented schools to ensure that education continued
Thousands signed up for ‘cash to work’ schemes
Soft engineering schemes = planting mangroves + afforestation schemes to stabilise soil