May 16 in Parallel Session 3E "Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods & More: Dealing with Natural Disasters". Presented by Mercedita Sombilla.

1. Coping Up with Disasters: The Case of
Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines
Mercedita A. Sombilla
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Staff
National Economic and Development Authority
Philippines
Building Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security
IFPRI 2020 Conference
15-17 May 2014 • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Philippines typhoons: Headline and Cover page,
earliest was in 1898 by an Australian broadsheet

3. Year-on-year occurrence of natural
disasters are no longer surprising…

4. Yolanda “Haiyan” hit the Central Philippines on
November 8, 2013 at 04:04

5. Yolanda Aftermath
US$13 billion in losses and
damages
12.2 million people affected
or 2.6 million families
6,000 people killed and still
counting
Shortcomings:
• Failure to mobilize officials
for forced evacuations;
• People not heeding the
warnings;
• National government’s
continued reactive response.

6. Relief Operations Ensued
But slow and uncoordinated…..
•Nature and extent of relief assistance
was scanty;
•Relief operation was very much
constrained;
•Breakdown of local functions

7. • Guide and coordinate the recovery
and reconstruction work;
• Restore economic and social
conditions
• Enhance disaster resiliency

8. RAY Implementation
Institutional arrangements that combine strong
central coordination and oversight with flexible
implementation at the local level;
Ensure that recovery and reconstruction addresses
inclusiveness and sustainable livelihoods ;
Incorporate gender into the design and
implementation of post-disaster interventions;
Phased, cumulative and flexible response;
Partnering with private sector.

9. 6 Key Lessons from Yolanda
 Defense against disaster starts with a plan;
 Science and technology and good statistics/data
should inform the plans;
 Manage risks rather than manage disasters;
 Understand natural disasters and the risks they
entail and learn how respond to emergencies;
 New investment to enhance resiliency and
readiness;
 Transparency in the implementation of relief and
recovery operations.
Need to work together as one community
and one nation.

10. Thank you!