Typhoon Haiyan Flashcards
Case study
When?
8 November 2013
Where?
Philippines
What was it?
Category 5 storm. One of the most powerful storms to hit the Philippines.
Facts about the storm
Wind speeds up to 314km/h
400mm of rainfall
5m storm surge
Flooded 1km inland
Social primary effects
6,190 people killed
50% house destroyed (1.1 million)
4.1 million made homeless
90% of Tacloban city destroyed
Economic primary effects
$12 billion of damage
Rice and seed stocks lost in storm surge resulting in $53 million damage to rice.
3/4 (75%) of farmers and fishermen lost their income
Environmental primary effects
1.1 million tonnes of crops destroyed
Oil barge at Estancia ran aground causing an 800,000 lire oil leak
400mm of rainfall caused flooding
Social secondary effects
Flooding caused surface and groundwater to be contaminated with chemicals and sewage causing infection and disease to spread
8 deaths in stampede for rice supplies
Power supplies cut off for 1 month in some areas
Schools destroyed, affecting education
Economic secondary effects
Tacloban airport badly damaged and roads blocked by trees and debris
Fishing industry badly disrupted as leaked oil from barge contaminated fishing waters
Looting was rife due to lack of food and supplies
By 2014 rice had increased in price by 12%
10 hectares of mangroves contaminated by oil barge leak
Flooding caused landslides
Immediate responses
Government televised a warning for people to evacuate
Authorities evacuated 800,000 people. Many went to Tacloban stadium but it flooded.
Over 1,200 evacuation centres set up to help the homeless
Philippine government ensured essential equipment and medical supplies were sent out but in 1 region they were washed away
3 days later airport reopened and emergency supplies arrived by plane. Within 2 weeks over 1 million food packs and 250,000 litres of water had been distributed
2 days after, the government imposed curfew to reduce looting
Beckhams, X-factor and brands such as Fifa, Apple and Coca Cola used their status to raise awareness and encourage public donations
Long-term responses
July 2014 Philippines government announced ‘Build Back Better’ long-term recovery plan. They would rebuild buildings and upgrade them to protect against future disasters
Oxfam replaced fishing boats
‘No-build zone’ in Eastern Visayas, Home rebuilt away from flood-risk areas
‘Cash for Work’ programme paid people to clean debris and rebuild the city
More cyclone shelters built
33 countries and international organisations pledged help. $1.5 billion in foreign aid
New storm surge warning system installed
