Typhoon Haiyan Bares Shortcomings in Disaster Preparedness

Briefing 20-11-2013

Tropical Typhoon Haiyan may serve as a stress case for the global disaster preparedness system. It will take years for the Philippines to recover. The EU should step up its efforts to build resilience and evaluate the ways in which it allocates funds in crisis-prone countries. Access to food and drinking water are the biggest problems. An estimated 56 400 women are at risk of gender-related violence. The EU has made EUR 20 million available for humanitarian aid and recovery. Including EU Member States' assistance, the EU contribution amounts to EUR 102.8 million. The Philippines is better prepared for natural disasters than many other developing countries. Typhoon Haiyan nevertheless laid bare the insufficiency of disaster management mechanisms. In the ten days following the cyclone, 29 % of the assistance requested by the UN had been contributed. China’s initial reluctance to join international donors led to accusations that Beijing was influenced by its maritime dispute with the Philippines.