Case Study: Typhoon Haiyan

Question 1

When & where did the storm occur?

Answer 1

• It originated from a low-pressure area in the western Pacific Ocean on 2/11/13 and then tracked westwards, developed into a tropical storm and by 6/11/13 intensified to become a category 5 storm (super-typhoon) with wind speeds of 155 miles/hr.
• The storm reached the Philippines on 7/11/13 where the eye wall caused great destruction around Tacloban with wind speed over 192 miles /hr. r.

Question 2

How intense was the storm in comparison to others in the Philippines?

Answer 2

One of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded and the deadliest in Philippine modern history.

Question 3

Physical factor which made Tacloban vulnerable

Answer 3

Tacloban is at the end of a bay that funnelled water from the storm surge

Question 4

2 Human factors making Tacloban vulnerable

Answer 4

• Tacloban has experienced rapid rural to urban migration leading to high population density and overcrowding.
• Many live in poorly constructed houses on flat land near the sea (risk of storm surges), or on steep hillsides (risk of landslides).

Question 5

How did climate change increase vulnerability?

Answer 5

Some reports suggested that human induced sea-level rise and rising temperatures may have exacerbated the impacts of the storm. Since 1900 sea levels have risen by 20cm here. In addition, use of ground water has caused part of the Philippines to sink.

Question 6

How many people died because of the storm?

Answer 6

6,300

Question 7

How many people were made homeless/displaced?

Answer 7

2 million people made homeless and 6 million displaced with 20,000 fleeing to the capital Manila.

Question 8

How much of Tacloban was affected?

Answer 8

Widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, with low lying areas of Tacloban worst affected e.g., airport flooded, cars piled up. 90% of the city affected.

Question 9

How many tonnes of rice were lost?

Answer 9

Over 130,000 tonnes of rice lost together with much of the coconut crop which accounts for half of the country’s agricultural exports.

Question 10

Why were some areas cut off?

Answer 10

• Areas cut off as communication and power systems destroyed.

Question 11

Impact on local ecosystems

Answer 11

Large areas of forest were destroyed, including mangroves, local ecosystems affected by sewage and oil leaks.

Question 12

Political issues that arose

Answer 12

• Many local government officials killed. (primary)
• Collapse of local government in many areas. (Secondary)
• Government criticised for its slow response and the media criticised preparations. (secondary)

Question 13

What was the issue with the flooding and landslides?

Answer 13

Flooding and landslides blocked major roads hampering relief work – air relief the only option.

Question 14

What crime took place?

Answer 14

Widespread looting

Question 15

Total cost of damage

Answer 15

$5.8 billion

Question 16

How many lost their source of income?

Answer 16

6 million

Question 17

Which industry was left devastated?

Answer 17

Fishing industries were devastated by loss of 30,000 boats and equipment.

Question 18

What did lack of sanitation cause

Answer 18

Outbreak of disease

Question 19

What is PAGASA and what did they do?

Answer 19

Philippines meteorological agency broadcast warnings two days before – 750,000 evacuated.

Question 20

What was declared the day after the storm?

Answer 20

The Philippines formally declared ‘A State of National Calamity’ the day after the storm hit and asked for international help.

Question 21

How much did the UN release in emergency funds?

Answer 21

$25 million

Question 22

How did technology help in the rescue effort?

Answer 22

• Infared satellite images used to locate areas of devastation.
• Thermal cameras helped to detect bodies buried under debris.
• Google person finder enabled people to track friends and family

Question 23

What did UNICEF & WHO do?

Answer 23

• Mass vaccinations
• Prompt action by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relief agencies ensured outbreaks of disease such as cholera and dysentery were isolated and kept to a minimum.

Question 24

What did the UK do?

Answer 24

The UK deployed two navy ships supplying over 200,000 tonnes of aid.

Question 25

What did the Philippines Red Cross do?

Answer 25

• The Philippines Red Cross delivered basic food, including rice, canned food, sugar and cooking oil.
• Some people struggled to access aid, for example many people had limited access to water and shelter 6 months later.

Question 26

What was repaired quickly to help the international relief operation?

Answer 26

Tacloban airport

Question 27

How did the fishing/rice industry recover?

Answer 27

Grants made available for local fishing businesses to buy new boats and Oxfam provided rice to farmers.

Question 28

What did Save the children do?

Answer 28

Helped build tented schools to ensure that education continued

Question 29

What was ‘Cash for work’?

Answer 29

Much of the rebuilding of Tacloban was done by residents themselves. Thousands signed up for ‘cash to work’ schemes (where aid agencies such the Red Cross pay people to help rebuild the city).

Question 30

What were mangroves used for?

Answer 30

Some soft engineering schemes, such as planting mangroves, are being introduced to reduce surge impact in the future. Afforestation schemes are being put in place to stabilise soil.

Question 31

What has the UN development programme done to help?

Answer 31

UN Development Programme has worked with the government to improve disaster management policies, with evacuation routes, shelters, early warning systems and monitoring schemes a priority.

Question 32

What is build back better?

Answer 32

Government created ’build back better’ strategy – 205,000 homes to be built in lower risk areas – however only 1% of target achieved by 2016.