Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan, called typhoon "Yolanda" in the Philippines, caused catastrophic damage throughout much of the islands of Leyte, where cities and towns were largely destroyed.^[53] As of April 17, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed 6,300 fatalities across the country, 5,877 of those taking place in the Eastern Visayas.^[3] The actual death toll remains unclear, being claimed to be at least 10,000 by the victims from Tacloban City, Leyte alone. The total loss of life is estimated to be as low as 2,500 by President Benigno Aquino III. As of November 13, Red Cross estimated that 22,000 people were missing while approximately 65,500 people were listed as such through Google Person Finder. Google, however, cautioned that this value is not to be read into, as shown during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami when more than 600,000 names were listed in contrast to the final death toll of roughly 20,000.^[53]

In Surigao City, 281.9 mm (11.10 in) of rainfall was recorded, much of which fell in under 12 hours.^[54] Storm surges were also recorded in many places. In the island of Leyte and Samar, PAGASA measured 5–6 meter (15–19 ft) waves.^[55] In Tacloban, Leyte, the terminal building of Tacloban Airport was destroyed by a 5.2 m (17 ft) storm surge up to the height of the second story.^[56] Along the airport, a storm surge of 4 m (13 ft) was estimated.^[57] Waves of 4.6 m (15 ft) were also estimated.^[58] On the western coast of Samar, the storm surge was not as significant.^[59]

Guiuan in Eastern Samar was the point of Haiyan's first landfall, and was severely affected due to the typhoon's impacts.^[60] Nearly all structures in the township suffered at least partial damage, many of which were completely flattened.^[61] For several days following Haiyan's first landfall, the damage situation in the fishing town remained unclear due to lack of communication.^[62] However, the damage could finally be assessed after Philippine Air Force staff arrived in Guiuan on November 10.^[63]

There was widespread devastation from the storm surge in Tacloban City especially in San Jose, with many buildings being destroyed, trees knocked over or broken, and cars piled up.^[58] The low-lying areas on the eastern side of Tacloban city were hardest hit, with some areas completely washed away. Flooding also extended for 1 km (0.62 mi) inland on the east coast of the province.^[58] City administrator Tecson John Lim stated that roughly 90 percent of the city had been destroyed.^[53] Journalists on the ground have described the devastation as, "off the scale, and apocalyptic".^[64] Most families in Samar and Leyte lost some family members or relatives; families came in from outlying provinces looking for relatives, especially children, who may have been washed away.^[65] The entire first floor of the Tacloban City Convention Center, which was serving as an evacuation shelter, was submerged by storm surge. Many residents in the building were caught off-guard by the fast rising waters and subsequently drowned or were injured in the building.^[66]

Although wind speeds were extreme, the major cause of damage and loss of life appears to have been storm surge. The major focus of devastation appears to have been on the east coast of Samar and Leyte, with a particular focus on Tacloban, because of its location between Samar and Leyte, and the large population in low-lying areas.^[59] Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas said the scale of the relief operation that was now required was overwhelming, with some places described as a wasteland of mud and debris.^[67]

Animated enhanced infrared satellite loop of Typhoon Haiyan from peak intensity to landfall in the Philippines

Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, head of a UN disaster assessment co-ordination team, said there was "destruction on a massive scale" in Tacloban. "There are cars thrown like tumbleweed and the streets are strewn with debris. The last time I saw something of this scale was in the aftermath of the [2004] Indian Ocean tsunami."^[58] There is little communication in the city, and no mobile phone coverage. Up the east coast of the Leyte there are numerous towns and villages that are completely cut off without any assistance. Large parts of Leyte and Samar are without power and may have no power for a month.^[64]

The storm crossed the Visayas region for almost a day, causing widespread flooding. In Cebu and Bohol, struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake two weeks before, cities were also severely devastated.^[68] During the morning of November 8, media stations across the country were able to broadcast live the destruction of Haiyan. However, before afternoon, all communications on the Visayas region failed. The Presidential Communications Department of President Benigno Aquino III had difficulty contacting DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Tacloban City to plan relief.^[69] Widespread power interruptions, landslides and flash floods were also reported. Major roads were blocked by trees, and impassable. 453 domestic and international airline flights were canceled. Some airports were also closed on November 8 and 9. Ferries were affected. Relief and rescue efforts were underway by November 9, but some places remained isolated and out of communication due to severe damage.^[70]

China and Taiwan

Typhoon Haiyan reached Hainan Province, where severe damage took place and six people were killed in various incidents.^[71] The hardest hit area was Qionghai, where roughly 3,500 people across 20 villages were isolated due to extensive flooding.^[72] Direct economic losses in Hainan amounted to ¥4.9 billion (US$803 million).^[71] In Guangxi Province to the north, heavy rains up to 380 mm (15 in) fell and wind gusts reached 100 km/h (60 mph).^[73] An estimated 1.21 million people were affected, of whom 26,300 were evacuated. Two people died while four others went missing after a car fell off a flooded road into a river near Beihai.^[74] Losses throughout Guangxi amounted to ¥275 million (US$45 million).^[71][73] Approximately 900 homes and 25,500 hectares of crops were destroyed, while 8,500 homes were damaged. Additionally, an estimated 3 million people were affected by the storm throughout Southern China.^[75] A cargo ship broke moorings at Sanya on November 8;^[76] three members of the crew drowned while four others went missing.^[73] One person also went missing off the coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong.^[77]

Along the coast of New Taipei, 16 people were swept out to sea by three 8 m (26 ft) waves. After several hours of search and rescue, eight were hospitalized while the other eight drowned. This was considered the largest loss of life from waves in Taiwan in several years.^[78]

Vietnam

Haiyan made landfall as a severe tropical storm in Quảng Ninh Province on November 10 and produced high winds and widespread heavy rainfall which affected northern Vietnam.^[79] Rainfall totals of up to 461 mm (18.1 in) and wind gusts of up to 147 km/h (91 mph) were recorded.^[79] Ten people were killed while they were preparing for Haiyan's landfall, while no one was killed after the system made landfall, however 4 people are missing in Quangninh Province.^[79]

Aftermath

Due to extensive damage and high death toll, PAGASA announced that the name Yolanda would be stricken off the typhoon naming lists.^[80][81] PAGASA chose the name Yasmin to replace Yolanda for the 2017 season. During their 2014 annual session the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee announced that the name Haiyan would also be retired from its naming lists on January 1, 2015, and was therefore replaced by the name Bailu.^[82]

Philippines

Animated satellite comparison of power outages across the Visayas following Typhoon Haiyan.

Map of damaged houses by municipality showing track of storm, from the United Nations, as of November 18, 2013

An aerial view of Guiuan, the town where the typhoon made its first landfall

By November 11, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan, and Samar, were placed under a state of national calamity, allowing the government to use state funds for relief and rehabilitation and to control prices of basic goods.^[83] Additionally, approximately ₱30.6 million (US$700,000) had been allocated in relief assistance by the NDRRMC. Local and national agencies deployed a collective 18,177 personnel, 844 vehicles, 44 seagoing vessels, and 31 aircraft for various operations.^[3] CBCP also declared 8 days of mourning for victims of the typhoon on the same date.^[84]

World Health Organization Representative in the Philippines Dr Julie Hall noted that while many survivors requiring medical attention in the first week suffer from trauma and fractures, the concern shifts toward chronic conditions as the weeks pass. The WHO coordinated the massive international response to help the Philippine government meet the acute need for healthcare services in the affected areas.^[85]

Extreme damage to infrastructure throughout the region posed logistical problems that greatly slowed relief efforts. Though aid was flown into local airports, most of it remained there as roads remained closed.^[86] According to estimates on November 13, only 20 percent of the affected population in Tacloban City was receiving aid. With lack of access to clean water, some residents dug up water pipes and boiled water from there in order to survive. Thousands of people sought to evacuate the city via C-130 cargo planes, however, the slow process fueled further aggravation. Reports of escaped prisoners raping women in the city prompted a further urgency to evacuate. One resident was quoted as saying "Tacloban is a dead city."^[53] Due to the lack of electricity, planes could only operate during the daylight, further slowing the evacuations. At dawn on November 12, thousands of people broke through fences and rushed planes only to be forced back by police and military personnel. A similar incident occurred later that day as a U.S. cargo plane was landing.^[87]

On November 14, a correspondent from the BBC reported Tacloban to be a "war zone," although the situation soon stabilized when the presence of government law enforcement was increased. Safety concerns prompted several relief agencies to back out of the operation, and some United Nations staff were pulled out for safety reasons. A message circulating among the agencies urged them to not go into Tacloban for this reason.^[88] On the west coast of Leyte Island, residents in Ormoc were fearing that the focus on Tacloban City would leave them without aid. Though not as hard hit, roughly 90 percent of the city was damaged or destroyed and supplies were running low. Hospitals in the city were either shut down or working at partial capacity, leaving many of the nearly 2,000 injured in the city without medical assistance. In nearby Baybay, lack of assistance fueled anger and incited looting for survival.^[89]

In the coastal community Guiuan, which took the full brunt of the typhoon, Mayor Christopher Gonzalez is credited with saving countless lives after he incessantly urged residents to evacuate. He referred to the storm as "delubyo (deluge)," which roughly translates to Armageddon. Of the town's 45,000 residents, 87 died, 931 were injured, and 23 others were listed as missing. U.S. Navy Capt. Russell Hays, a medical officer, estimated that a storm of Haiyan's caliber could have killed as many as 4,500 in Guiuan alone had it not been for the mayor's efforts.^[90]

On November 18, the government of the Philippines launched an online portal, called the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FaiTH), that provides the public a transparency view of the funds and other aids received by the government from the international community.^[91][92]

To lead the management and rehabilitation efforts of the central provinces in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III appointed Panfilo Lacson as Typhoon Haiyan Rehabilation Czar.^[93]

Environmental impact

Typhoon Haiyan knocked over Power Barge 103 of Napocor in Estancia, Iloilo causing an oil spill.^{[94][95][96][97]} As a result of the typhoon, the government is planning to replant mangroves in coastal areas while preserving the remaining ones.^[98] Affected residents were allowed to return to their homes by the Department of Health on December 7, 2013 after an air quality test found out that benzene level in affected areas reached near-zero parts per million. Earlier, residents were asked to evacuated affected areas after benzene levels in the area reached unhealthy levels.^[99]

Looting and violence

The remains of a home destroyed by the storm in Tacloban City.

Throughout Tacloban City, widespread looting took place in the days following Haiyan's passage. In some instances, relief trucks were attacked and had food stolen in the city. Two of the city's malls and numerous grocery stores were subjected to looting. A fuel depot in the city was guarded by armed police while 200 additional officers were dispatched to assist.^[100] Security checkpoints have since been set up all over Tacloban and a curfew was imposed on residents to prevent more attacks.^[101] Philippine military forces also prevented members of the New People's Army from ambushing a relief convoy bound for Samar in Matnog, Sorsogon, killing two.^[102] President Benigno Aquino III considered declaring martial law in hopes of restoring order in affected areas.^[103][104]

Looting intensified as slow recovery efforts forced residents to seek any means necessary to survive. Tacloban city administrator Tecson John Lim stated, "The looting is not criminality. It is self-preservation." The Chicago Tribune reported that some areas were on the brink of anarchy, though Interior Secretary Mar Roxas denied such claims.^[53] Further complicating efforts to retain order was the lack of officers reporting for work. In Tacloban, only 100 of the city's 1,300 police personnel reported for duty.^[87] In Alangalang, just west of Tacloban, eight people were crushed to death after the walls of a warehouse collapsed during a raid on a government rice stockpile. Approximately 33,000 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kg (110 lb), were stolen. Warehouses were also raided in Jaro and Palo. Throughout the city of Tacloban itself, people began looting from homes as stores had been completely emptied.^[53]

Criticism of government response

Color coded map of Eastern Visayas showing the number of deaths caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
      More than 1,000
      500-999
      100-499
      50-99
      25-49
      1-24
      0

Condemnations of slow government action in the relief effort in response to the typhoon mounted days after the storm had passed. Media reports criticized the Aquino administration for apparent lack of preparation and coordination among government agencies in the aid operation.^[105][106] Up until November 12, five days after the typhoon struck, survivors continued to struggle with basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter while remote towns in Leyte and Samar were yet to be reached by aid.^[107] The Philippine government responded by saying that they have dealt with the tragedy "quite well" but the response had been slow due to the breakdown of the local governance in affected areas where officials and employees, who were usually the first to respond in these events, were victims of the typhoon themselves.^[108] Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that the national government had to take over despite logistical challenges and assured it is working toward providing aid the quickest way possible to the survivors.^[109] The national Government was also criticized for putting the responsibility of handling the dead to the Bureau of Fire instead to the Department of Health. Dr. Racquel Fortun, one of the forensic experts to go to the area three days after the typhoon insisted that handling of the bodies is a health matter and therefore a responsibility of DOH.^[110]

Humanitarian crisis and population displacement

The Philippines faced a humanitarian crisis days after the typhoon hit much of the Visayas with 1.9 million homeless and more than 6,000,000 displaced.^[111] In Tacloban alone, ninety percent of the structures are either destroyed or damaged while other cities, such as Ormoc, are reporting similar damage.^[112] The United Nations fear that the possibility of the spread of disease is high due to the lack of food, water, shelter, and medication. Casualties have been reported as a result of the lack of aid in affected areas and the number of dead is likely to rise.^[113]

As a result of the damage in Tacloban and much of Leyte, thousands of people who once lived in the area left and made their way into less affected areas such as Cebu and Manila.^[114] Catbalogan reported that their population more than doubled after the typhoon with the influx of refugees into the city.^[115] Around 20,000 people have fled to Manila as a result of the storm.^[116]

International response

Summary of international relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan

Country	Cash donation (in US dollars)	Humanitarian aid and supplies	Other aid	Source
Australia	7007700000000000000♠$70 million	Emergency and humanitarian supplies.	Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy deployed with Australian Medical Assistance Team and supplies.	[117][118] [119]
Bahrain		90 tons of relief supplies.		[120]
Bangladesh	7006100000000000000♠$1 million			[121]
Belgium	7005677000000000000♠$677 thousand	Humanitarian aid.	Field hospital, water purification system, 5 medical doctors, 13 nurses, and 10 logistic personnel.	[122]
Brunei		Humanitarian aid and relief supplies.	Emergency team deployed. Aircraft from the Royal Brunei Air Force deployed with supplies.	[123]
Canada	7007400000000000000♠$40 million	Humanitarian aid; water purification units; infrastructure repair teams; medical units	Three hundred members of the Canadian military Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and their equipment are sent, along with three additional Griffon helicopters. Canadian Medical Assistance Team deployed several mobile primary medical teams, to assist under-serviced rural and remote communities in northern Cebu, and western and central Leyte. GlobalMedic, a Toronto-based NGO has three teams of rescuers and medics dispatched to the disaster zone along with large quantities of water purification supplies and equipment.	[124][125] [126][127] [128][129]
Chile		Humanitarian aid.		[130]
China	7006140000000000000♠$1.4 million		Deployed the naval hospital ship, Peace Ark.	[131][132]
Denmark	7006780000000000000♠$7.8 million	Humanitarian aid.	Provided UN with the emergency response base camp and infrastructure to facilitate the rapid humanitarian relief efforts.	[133][134]
France	7006140000000000000♠$1.4 million		Sent 70 tons of relief supplies and a team of 61 persons from the Sécurité Civile, to restore electricity and water supplies, and others.	[135]
Germany		23 tons of aid.	Rescue teams sent.	[136]
Holy See	7005150000000000000♠$150 thousand			[137]
Hong Kong			Call to postpone economic sanctions. 7006515900000000000♠$5.16 million given to international charities.	[138][139] [140]
Iceland	7005100000000000000♠$100 thousand			[141]
India		15 tonnes of relief supplies.		[142]
Indonesia	7006100000000000000♠$1 million	Humanitarian aid of goods and logistics worth 7006100000000000000♠$1 million. Indonesian Red Cross sent 688,862 tonnes emergency supplies.	Three Indonesian Air Force Hercules aircraft deployed with supplies to affected areas. Logistical aid including aircraft, food, generators and medicine. The Indonesian Red Cross deployed KM Emir cargo ship loaded with emergency supplies and also 30 Indonesian Red Cross volunteers.	[143][144] [145][146]
Ireland	7006135500000000000♠$1.36 million	100 tonnes of emergency supplies.		[147]
Israel			Sent members of the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Defense Forces' Home Command.	[148]
Italy	7006135700000000000♠$1.36 million			[149]
Japan	7007520000000000000♠$52 million	Humanitarian aid.	Deployed the JDS Ise (DDH-182) and JDS Ōsumi (LST-4001) and Boeing KC-767 along with 1,180 members of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.The Japan Disaster Relief team was also deployed.	[150][151] [152][153] [154]
Kuwait	7007100000000000000♠$10 million			[155]
Malaysia	7006100000000000000♠$1 million	Essential relief supplies and humanitarian aid. Malaysian Filipino community collected supplies to be sent.	Aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force deployed with supplies. The Malaysian disaster relief team was also deployed.	[156][157] [158][159] [160]
Mexico	7006100000000000000♠$1 million			[161]
New Zealand	7006122000000000000♠$1.22 million	30 tonnes of food and medical supplies.		[162][163]
Norway	7007416000000000000♠$41.6 million	100 tonnes of food and 70 tonnes of communication equipment.	In addition to the aid provided by the Norwegian government, Norwegians supported various aid agencies, such as the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian branch of Save the Children, with donations through texting reaching 30 million NOK (US$4.9 million). On October 24, a relief concert with various Norwegian artists was held in Norway for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. During the 70 min. TV sendt broadcast, Norwegians donated another 24.7 million NOK (4 million USD).	[164][165] [166][167] [168][169] [170][171]
Panama		200,000 worth of humanitarian aid.		[172]
Qatar		80 tonnes of relief supplies.		[173]
Russia			Over 200 personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations deployed for medical and relief efforts.	[174][175]
Saudi Arabia	7007100000000000000♠$10 million	Relief supplies.	Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz pledged $100,000 in behalf of the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND).	[176][177] [178]
Singapore	7005276000000000000♠$276 thousand	Humanitarian aid.	Aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force deployed with supplies.	[179][180]
South Africa		Rescue South Africa Disaster Response Team sent.	The 50 man trauma/rescue team treated patients and repaired the Abuyog District Hospital.	[181]
South Korea	7007250000000000000♠$25 million	Humanitarian aid including Humanitarian teams and Relief goods(family tents, water purifiers, beef fried rice, blankets, and sanitation kits) turned over to DSWD.	Deployed Emergency relief team (two batches of medical and rescue personnel, 17-man survey team). Pledged USD 5M worth of assistance and USD 20M ODA for construction and rehabilitation from 2014-2016. Deployed 2 C-130 planes, Bi Ro Bong LST and Sung In Bong LST for humanitarian transport along with 520 members of the Korean Army.	[182] [183][184][185] [186]
Spain	7006180000000000000♠$1.8 million		The Spanish government also chartered two flights that brought 35 tons of humanitarian aid to the disaster area.	[187]
Switzerland	7006540000000000000♠$5.4 million	21 tons of Emergency Assistance.	Members of Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit sent.	[188]
Taiwan	7005200000000000000♠$200 thousand	680 tons of relief supplies. Estimated total amount of donated relief materials and money reached US$12.3 million as of mid-December. Taiwan, by Navy and Air Force, is the first country delivering relief supplies to Philippines.[189]	A 35-person team organized by the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps arrived in the affected areas to provide free medical assistance. Aircraft from the Republic of China Air Force and Republic of China Navy vessel deployed with supplies.	[190][191]
Thailand		Humanitarian aid.		[192]
Turkey		Humanitarian supplies.		[193]
United Arab Emirates	7007100000000000000♠$10 million			[194]
United Kingdom	7008131092123000000♠$131 million		Deployed HMS Daring and HMS Illustrious and Royal Air Force C-130J - stationed in Cebu delivering over 235,000 of aid - and Royal Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for Humanitarian Aid and Relief (HADR) efforts.	[195][196] [197]
United States	7007867000000000000♠$86.7 million	Deployed the USS George Washington (CVN-73) and her embarked carrier strike group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Germantown (LSD 42), of Amphibious Squadron 11. At its peak, the U.S. military efforts included more than 13,400 military personnel from the US Marine Corps, US Navy and US Air Force. 66 aircraft were involved in the mission including the fixed-wing C17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, and MV-22 Osprey, as well as HH-60 helicopters. 12 U.S. Navy vessels responded in all. The US also deployed the United States Agency for International Development and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance crisis response teams to oversee military operations, and coordinate the US government response with the government of the Philippines.	[198][199] [200][201][202][203][204]
Vietnam	7005100000000000000♠$100 thousand			[205][206]

Supranational bodies

Debris littering the streets of Tacloban City on November 14, nearly a week after the storm struck.

The United Nations said it was going to increase critical relief operations as a result of the devastation caused by the typhoon. Its Manila office issued a statement that read, "Access remains a key challenge as some areas are still cut off from relief operations. Unknown numbers of survivors do not have basic necessities such as food, water and medicines and remain inaccessible for relief operations, as roads, airports and bridges were destroyed or covered in wreckage."^[207] The United Nations also began relief operations by this time; however, the severe damage to infrastructure hampered efforts to distribute supplies.^[100] The UN activated the Cluster System, in which groups of humanitarian organizations (UN and non-UN) work to restore health, shelter, nutrition and economic activity.^[208]

The World Health Organization, which leads the Health Cluster, the largest one, has developed guidance on donations of medicine and healthcare equipment, so that the Philippines receives supplies appropriate for this emergency. According to WHO, many people suffered cuts, wounds, and broken bones during the disaster and others were injured in flooding that followed the typhoon.^[209] Interpol announced that they would send in Interpol officers from Lyon to help local law enforcement identify any of the corpses that are unidentified.^[210]

The World Health Organization has spearheaded initiatives among help workers, especially from the Department of Health (Philippines), in extending Psychological First Aid to people in typhoon-affected areas. WHO Representative in the country Dr Julie Hall foresees long-lasting effects from the typhoon. She calls for increased preparedness to give support to families and communities for the long-term, citing the need for more trained field workers.^[211]

Celebrities, companies, and NGOs

American band Journey donated $350,000 to help relief efforts in the Philippines, and its lead singer had a message for his homeland: "Don't Stop Believin'". Arnel Pineda (the band's Filipino vocalist) and the rest of the band announced the donation on November 15, 2013. It will go to the United Nations World Food Programme, which is providing Filipinos with food assistance. The donation should provide 1.4 million meals.^[212] Ikea, Walmart, Samsung, and HSBC are among those taking advantage of the event to donate to those in need.^[213][214] Northwestern Mutual announced they will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross.^[215] The Coca-Cola Company says they have donated $2.5 million of their advertising budget to the relief efforts as of November 25.^[216] By mid-December FIFA donated $1 million.^[217] DHL deployed its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Team to the disaster areas to provide on-the-ground logistics support to assist with the relief effort in the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan. Three rotating teams made up of volunteer employees from the Asia Pacific region were based at the Mactan Cebu Airport on Cebu island, providing support and assistance to the country's most affected areas west of Leyte Island, including Guiuan, Roxas, and Tacloban city.^[218] Many smaller initiatives were founded as well - e.g. to prepare by donating to children a typhoon-ready backpack as floating device.^[219]

U.S. Marines assisting in the Philippine disaster relief.

Major League Baseball donated $200,000 to UNICEF and the American Red Cross, with Commissioner Bud Selig encouraging fans to donate to the organizations.^[220] UNICEF delivered portable toilets and hygiene supplies to the region and also appealed for $34 million to help the four million children affected.^[221] The American Red Cross announced that they collected $11 million in donations for the Philippines Relief Fund.^[222] Mercy Corps dispatched a "emergency response" team to help with humanitarian efforts.^[223] MAP International launched medical relief efforts providing over $10 million in medicines and supplies to the Philippines.

Among the NGO responses, among the most comprehensive disaster response came from the Taiwan-based "Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation". , which organized a large-scale cash-for-work program in Tacloban from Nov 20 to Dec 8 with up to 31,000 participants per day, totaling nearly 300,000 day shifts. This operation not only helped clean out the thousands of tons of debris covering the city, but also kick-started the local economy. Tzu Chi also contributed emergency cash aid of 8000, 12000 or 15000 pesos depending on family size for over 60,000 families in the affected areas of Tacloban, Ormoc, Palo, Tanauan and Tunga, and has been providing free clinics, hot meals, and temporary class rooms for over 15 schools in the area. Doctors Without Borders is sending 200 tons of aid.^[205][224] The International Society for Krishna Consciousness's Food For Life Global, the world's largest vegan food relief organisation, raised money and provided vegan meals in the Philippines to Typhoon Haiyan survivors.^[225][226] Other NGOs run by faith-based organisations that raised money and/or aided in the disaster relief efforts of Typhoon Haiyan included Catholic Relief Services,^[227] Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB),^[227] Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA),^[227] LDS Philanthropies,^[228] American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC),^[227] Samaritan's Purse,^[227] Salvation Army,^[227] Christian Children's Fund of Canada,^[227] MAP International and World Vision.^[227]

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), the largest indigenous Christian church based in the Philippines held series of massive relief distributions and medical and dental missions to affected population of the storm to different parts of Visayas.^[229] The humanitarian mission was done under the "Lingap sa Mamamayan" (Aid for Humanity) project in cooperation with the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation Inc., the INC’s charitable arm.^[230][231] The church conducted the largest walk for a cause in the world (walkathon) on February 15, 2014, dubbed as 'Iglesia Ni Cristo World Wide Walk for Those Affected by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan'.^[232][233] The walk for a cause raised millions of money to help the victims of the super typhoon for the construction of their houses and shelters. The aim of the activity is to make the world understand that Haiyan survivors are still in dare need of help and financial assistance. Indeed, the worldwide walk caught the attention of the world when it breaks two Guinness world records as the largest charity walk in a single venue (Manila, Philippines) with 175,000 participants, and largest charity walk in 24 hours for multiple venues (from Christchurch, New Zealand to Hawaii, USA) in 13 time zones, 54 countries, 24 hours with 519, 521 participants.^[234][235]

Celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham,^[236] Stephen Colbert,^[237] Kim Kardashian,^[238] David Guetta,^[239] and The X Factor contributed to the fundraisng.^[240] On November 26, iTunes released a compilation album entitled Songs for the Philippines featuring different artists, including Katy Perry, Madonna, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles.^[241] All proceeds will go to the Philippine Red Cross.^[241] One Republic donated $100,000 on November 30, 2013.^[242] Other celebrities that offered their support included Linkin Park, The Offspring,^[243] Alicia Keys,^[244] and Justin Bieber.^[245]

On the day of his death, actor Paul Walker attended a charity event for his organization, Reach Out Worldwide, for the victims of the typhoon that was held right before his accident.^[246]

On March 11, 2014, a benefit concert called The Pinoy Relief Benefit Concert was held at Madison Square Garden in New York, City. Jennifer Hudson, Pentatonix, A Great Big World, Plain White T's, Jessica Sanchez, Charice and REO Brothers performed. Special guests also included Dr. Oz, Dante Basco, Bobby Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Apl.de.ap. 100% of proceeds raised directly went to the Typhoon Haiyan survivors.^[247] Pinoy Relief was created to help survivors and focus on three specific areas: restoring livelihoods, building classrooms and providing shelter in partnership with local NGOs, Habitat for Humanity Philippines and Operation Blessing Philippines.^[248]

Politics involving aid relief

First UK-funded humanitarian flight arrives at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The island of Binuluanguan overflown by a helicopter from HMS Daring.

The aid contributions of China and the United States were given focus with regards to their involvement in the politics of the Philippines.^[249] Apart from having the two largest economies in the world, both countries are involved in a complex relationship with the island country. China is currently disputing the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea with the Philippines while the United States used to be an occupying power and currently has a mutual defense treaty with the islands.^[250]

China was initially criticized for its meager contribution of US $100,000 cash each from the government and the Chinese Red Cross to the typhoon victims, which led to commentary about its disputes with the Philippines.^[251] Earlier in 2013, the Philippines sued China over the nine-dotted line. Commentators attribute this low amount to China's intentions to isolate the Philippines while strengthening its ties with the rest of Southeast Asia.^[252] The move had mixed reactions from the public of China with some commending its decision while others, such as The Global Times, insisted that China should be a responsible power. China later increased its contributions by US$1.64 million in supplies ^[131][253] and sent its naval hospital ship Peace Ark for disaster relief."^[132]

The contributions of the United States was in contrast to that of China. It gave the Philippines an amount of US$51.9 million worth of aid apart and deployed the United States Marines, United States Navy and United States Air Force in order to assist with the humanitarian operations.^[254] This was seen by observers as part of the Asia pivot that the United States government had previously announced. The Philippine government had been discussing with the U.S. plans regarding the deployment of U.S. military troops within the country. Aid contributions of the U.S. was seen as a sign of goodwill in order to further strengthen relations.^[255]

Vietnam

Following Typhoon Haiyan's landfall in Vietnam, widespread search and rescue missions took place in the affected provinces. Damage assessments were also conducted in 13 provinces to determine what aid was needed. The IFRC began distribution of relief supplies and assisted residents in returning home by November 12. Operations regarding the aftermath of Typhoon Wutip were temporarily suspended due to Haiyan.^[48]

Climate change

Political leaders and climate scientists connected the typhoon to climate change, both at the time and subsequently.^[256] The 2013 United Nations Climate Change Conference was coincidentally in progress when the typhoon struck and Yeb Saño, the lead negotiator of the Philippines delegation, received a standing ovation at the conference when he declared a hunger strike.

In solidarity with my countrymen who are struggling to find food back home, I will now commence a voluntary fasting for the climate; this means I will voluntarily refrain from eating food during this COP, until a meaningful outcome is in sight.

— Yeb Saño^[257]

Several delegates, including American delegate Collin Reese, joined him in fasting. Sixty people from Climate Action Network, an umbrella group of environmental non-governmental organisations, also joined the hunger strike.^[258]

The correlation between the increasing intensity of storms and the progression of climate change was discussed by climate scientists. "Typhoons, hurricanes and all tropical storms draw their vast energy from the warmth of the sea. We know sea-surface temperatures are warming pretty much around the planet, so that's a pretty direct influence of climate change on the nature of the storm," said Will Steffen, director of the Australian National University climate change institute.^[259] Myles Allen, head of the climate dynamics group at the University of Oxford, said that "The current consensus is that climate change is not making the risk of hurricanes any greater, but there are physical arguments and evidence that there is a risk of more intense hurricanes."^[259] The Huffington Post made the point that the 70% deforestation of the Philippines since 1900, as reported by the national Forest Management Bureau, made far more lethal flooding from cyclones like Haiyan more likely.^[260] More cautiously, the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report had stated in September of the same year that "Time series of cyclone indices such as power dissipation, an aggregate compound of tropical cyclone frequency, duration, and intensity that measures total wind energy by tropical cyclones, show upward trends in the North Atlantic and weaker upward trends in the western North Pacific since the late 1970s."^[259]

In popular media

A detailed analysis of Typhoon Haiyan and its destruction in the Philippines was featured in a documentary called Megastorm: World's Biggest Typhoon. It aired on December 30, 2013 on Discovery Channel.^[261]

See also

• 2013 Bohol earthquake – rocked Leyte's neighboring islands of Bohol and Cebu less than a month before Haiyan struck
• Typhoons in the Philippines
  • Typhoon Bopha (Pablo, 2012)
  • Typhoon Son-Tinh (Ofel, 2012)
  • Typhoon Megi (Juan, 2010)
  • Typhoon Parma (Pepeng, 2009)
  • Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy, 2009)
  • Typhoon Fengshen (Frank, 2008)
  • Typhoon Durian (Reming, 2006)
  • Typhoon Xangsane (Milenyo, 2006)
  • Typhoon Angela (Rosing, 1995)
  • Typhoon Zeb (Iliang, 1998)
  • Typhoon Nina (Sisang, 1987)
  • Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring; 1991) – second deadliest Philippine tropical cyclone^[262][263]
  • Typhoon Mike (Ruping; 1990)

Other most intense tropical cyclones

• Typhoon Tip (Warling, 1979) – strongest tropical cyclone based on pressure in recorded history
• Hurricane Patricia – strongest tropical cyclone based on reliably measured maximum sustained winds in recorded history.
• Typhoon Nancy
• Typhoon Nora (Luming, 1973)
• Typhoon Gay (1992)

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Typhoon Haiyan (2013).

General information about the typhoon

• JMA General Information of Typhoon Haiyan (1330) from Digital Typhoon
• Super Typhoon Haiyan from Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies
• Past Positions and Intensities of Typhoon Haiyan (as of 20:00 HKT on November 11, 2013) from the Hong Kong Observatory
• Compilation of satellite imagery and mapping products, pre- and post-disaster from UN-SPIDER
• Severe Weather Bulletin for Typhoon YOLANDA (HAIYAN) by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

General information about the response operation in the Philippines

• Assessing the Response to Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan: Hearing before the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, November 19, 2013
• Latest humanitarian response information via ReliefWeb
• Response to the crisis via FAO in emergencies

Media coverage of Typhoon Haiyan's destruction in the Philippines

• MULTIMEDIA REPORT: 'The Sea Washed it Away': On the Ground After Typhoon Haiyan by The Weather Channel
• IMAGES: Haiyan before and after the storm by BBC
• Typhoon Haiyan coverage by CBS News
• Typhoon Yolanda updates and coverage by Rappler

Relief operations of the Government of the Philippines

• Updates: Typhoon Yolanda by the Government of the Philippines
• Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH) — Transparency portal by the Government of the Philippines

Others

• Typhoon Yolanda Person Finder by Google

Tropical cyclones of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season Timeline STS Sonamu TD Bising TS Shanshan TD TD TD TD TS Yagi TD TD TS Leepi TS Bebinca STS Rumbia TY Soulik TS Cimaron TD TD STS Jebi TS Mangkhut TY Utor TD TD STS Trami TD 13W STS Pewa TS Unala TD 03C STS Kong-rey TD TD TD TD TS Yutu STS Toraji TD TD TD TD TY Man-yi TY Usagi TD 18W STS Pabuk TD TD TY Wutip TS Sepat TY Fitow TY Danas TD TD TD Phailin TY Nari TY Wipha TY Francisco TD 27W TY Lekima TY Krosa TD Wilma TY Haiyan (history) TS Podul TD TD TD Lehar TD 33W Book Category Portal WikiProject Commons