Case study LIC - Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines, 2013

Question 1

Describe the spatial and temporal setting of the event.

Answer 1

2nd Nov - Tropical depression in Federated States of Micronesia > moved west 4th Nov = tropical storm, 5th Nov - typhoon, 6/7 Nov = Cat 57th Nov - Landfall at and crossed Philippines Continued westwards 10th Nov = northern Vietnam Cat 3Dissipated by 11th Nov over S. China

Question 2

Magnitude of event

Answer 2

Cat 5 over Philippeans

Question 3

How did the magnitude change over time

Answer 3

Formed a storm surge - 7.5 m wave (5m storm surge hit Tacloban)

Question 4

Cause of event

Answer 4

Warm oceans and rising air around the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific

Question 5

Who was the most vulnerable to the typhoon? Why?

Answer 5

Tacloban - as first hit by typhoon and storm surge (before loss of energy)High population density (high levels of rural-urban migration)Poverty - slums with poor construction, in hazardous areas such as steep slopes, lack resilience as no insurance etc. so reliant on regional/national gov and aid.Low-lying areas to eastern Tacloban - some completely washed away

Question 6

Outline primary impacts of event

Answer 6

Approximately 6000 killed and 1000 missingWidespread damage to buildings and infrastructure (electricity/communications) - 90% of all buildings in Tacloban destroyedDestruction of airport, roads, buildings

Question 7

Outline secondary impacts of events

Answer 7

Damage to infrastructure by landslidesSet back to future development due to damage over $8 bn and destruction of economic baseWidespread looting due to lack of political stability and collapse of local government.

Question 8

Pre-disaster responses

Answer 8

Monitored by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre

Question 9

Relief responses

Answer 9

Local people begin search and rescue

Question 10

Rehabilitation responses

Answer 10

11th Nov - ‘state of national calamity’ declared and international aid requestedUN, NGOs (Red Cross and Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)) coordinate emergency response - DEC: 12 Nov - emergency appeal internationalMartial law declared in some areas and armed police deployed

Question 11

Reconstruction responses

Answer 11

Grants to local fishing businesses to buy new boatsOxfam provided rice seed to farmersSave the Children built tent schoolsTourist resorts rebuilt

Question 12

Why were responses to Typhoon Haiyan poorer than those to Hurricane Katrina?

Answer 12

Destruction of infrastructure slowed relief - by Mid Nov - only 20% of those needing aid in Tacloban had received it.Lack of political stability - looting and some UN staff withdrawn for safety reasons and aid stolen from charity trucksSlow government response - 5 days post response no water or shelter