Typhoon Haiyan

This article is about the 2013 typhoon. For other uses, see Typhoon Haiyan (disambiguation) and Haiyan (disambiguation).

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

Violent typhoon (JMA scale)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Haiyan approaching the Philippines on November 7, 2013
Formed	November 3, 2013 (2013-11-03)
Dissipated	November 11, 2013 (2013-11-11)
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) 1-minute sustained: 315 km/h (195 mph)
Lowest pressure	895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg (Estimated)
Fatalities	2,390 confirmed
Damage	$937.2 million (2013 USD) (Preliminary total)
Areas affected	Micronesia Philippines Southern China Vietnam
Part of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda) is the second-deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 2,357 people in the country alone. The thirtieth named storm of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Haiyan originated from an area of low pressure several hundred kilometers east-southeast of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia on November 2. Tracking generally westward, environmental conditions favored tropical cyclogenesis and the system developed into a tropical depression the following day. After becoming a tropical storm and attaining the name Haiyan at 0000 UTC on November 4, the system began a period of rapid intensification that brought it to typhoon intensity by 1800 UTC on November 5. By November 6, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed the system as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale; the storm passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau shortly after attaining this strength.

Thereafter, it continued to intensify; at 1200 UTC on November 7, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) upgraded the storm's maximum ten-minute sustained winds to 235 km/h (145 mph), the highest in relation to the cyclone. At 1800 UTC, the JTWC estimated the system's one-minute sustained winds to 315 km/h (195 mph), unofficially making Haiyan the fourth most intense tropical cyclone ever observed. Several hours later, the eye of the cyclone made its first landfall in the Philippines at Guiuan, Eastern Samar, without any change in intensity; if verified, this would make Haiyan the strongest tropical cyclone to make a landfall on record, surpassing the old record of 305 km/h (190 mph) set by Atlantic Hurricane Camille in 1969. Gradually weakening, the storm made five additional landfalls in the country before emerging over the South China Sea. Turning northwestward, the typhoon eventually struck northern Vietnam as a severe tropical storm on November 10. Haiyan was last noted as a tropical depression by the JMA the following day.

The cyclone caused catastrophic destruction in the central Philippines, particularly on Samar Island and Leyte, where the governor estimated that at least 10,000 people may have died in the city of Tacloban alone. According to UN officials, about 11 million people have been affected and many have been left homeless.

Meteorological history

Main article: Meteorological history of Typhoon Haiyan

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On November 2, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring a broad low-pressure area about 425 kilometers (265 miles) east-southeast of Pohnpei, one of the states in the Federated States of Micronesia. Moving through a region favoring tropical cyclogenesis, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the developing system as a tropical depression early on November 3. Subsequent intensification resulted in the JMA upgrading the system to a tropical storm and assigning it the name Haiyan (Chinese: 海燕; lit. 'petrel') at 0000 UTC on November 4. Tracking generally westward along the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge, rapid intensification ensued by November 5 as a central dense overcast with an embedded eye began developing; the JMA classified Haiyan as a typhoon later that day. By November 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigned the storm the local name Yolanda as it approached their area of responsibility. Intensification slowed somewhat during the day, though the JTWC estimated the storm to have attained Category 5-equivalent super typhoon status on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale around 1200 UTC. Later, the eye of the typhoon passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau. Around 1200 UTC on November 7, Haiyan attained its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 235 km/h (145 mph) and a barometric pressure of 895 mbar (hPa; 26.43 inHg). Six hours later, the JTWC estimated Haiyan to have attained one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph) and gusts up to 378 km/h (235 mph).

Doppler radar loop of Haiyan's landfall on Leyte Island. Tacloban City was struck by the northern eyewall, the most powerful part of the storm.

The storm displayed some characteristics of an annular tropical cyclone, though a strong convective band remained present along the western side of the system. At 2040 UTC on November 7, Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar at peak intensity. Upon doing so, it became one of the strongest landfalling tropical cyclones on record. In terms of one-minute sustained winds from the JTWC, Haiyan was the most powerful storm to strike land on record. Interaction with land caused slight degradation of the storm's structure, though it remained an exceptionally powerful storm when it struck Tolosa, Leyte around 2300 UTC. The typhoon made four additional landfalls as it traversed the Visayas: Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, Concepcion, and Busuanga Island. A weakened Haiyan, with its core disrupted by interaction with the Philippines, emerged over the South China Sea late on November 8. Environmental conditions ahead of the storm soon became less favorable, as cool stable air began wrapping into the western side of the circulation. Continuing across the South China Sea, Haiyan turned more northwesterly late on November 9 and through November 10 as it moved around the southwestern edge of the subtropical ridge previously steering it westward. Rapid weakening ensued as Haiyan approached its final landfall in Vietnam, ultimately striking the country near Haiphong around 2100 UTC as a severe tropical storm. Once onshore, the storm quickly diminished and was last noted over Guangxi Province, China as a tropical depression on November 11.

Climate change

The disaster has highlighted the debate about climate change. During the 2013 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which was coincidentally held concurrent with the typhoon, Yeb Saño, the lead negotiator of the Philippines delegation received a standing ovation for announcing:

"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

Analyses with regards to this assertion were published as a result that showed a trend that positively correlates the increasing intensity of storms with the onset of global warming. As Saño continued to go on hunger strike, several delegates, like American delegate Collin Reese, joined him in fasting. Also, 60 people from Climate Action Network, an umbrella group of environmental non-governmental organisations, were also on hunger strike.

Preparations

Micronesia and Palau

Upon JTWC's declaration of Tropical Depression 31W on November 3, a tropical storm warning was issued for Chuuk Lagoon, Losap, and Poluwat in the Federated States of Micronesia. Further west, Faraulep, Satawal, and Woleai, were placed under a typhoon watch while Fananu and Ulul were placed under a tropical storm watch. The following day, the tropical storm warning expanded to include Satawal while a typhoon warning was issued for Woleai. Much of Yap State and the islands of Koror and Kayangel in Palau were placed under a typhoon watch. The government issued a mandatory evacuation for Kayangel, and although most residents ignored the warning, they all survived the storm. As Haiyan progressed westward, the easternmost advisories were gradually discontinued. As Haiyan intensified into a typhoon on November 5, warnings were raised across Palau and Yap State. Government offices in Melekeok were used as an evacuation building for Palau. Despite mandatory evacuation orders, most residents on Kayangel remained on the island and rode out the typhoon.

Philippines

File:YolandaPSWS.png

Highest Public Storm Warning Signals raised by PAGASA throughout the Philippines.

Shortly before Typhoon Haiyan entered the Philippine area of responsibility on November 6, PAGASA raised Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 1, the lowest of four levels, for much of the Visayas and Mindanao. As the storm continued to approach the country, warnings expanded into Luzon and increased in severity for eastern areas. By the evening of November 7, PSWS No. 4, the highest level of warning which indicates winds in excess of 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected, was raised for Biliran Island, Eastern Samar, Leyte, northern Cebu, Samar, and Southern Leyte. Through November 8, the coverage of PSWS No. 4 continued to expand, with areas in southern Luzon being included.

Officials placed police officers in the Bicol Region ahead of the storm. In the provinces of Samar and Leyte, classes were canceled, and residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas were required to evacuate. Some of the storm-threatened areas were affected by an earlier earthquake in Bohol. The Philippine President requested the military to deploy planes and helicopters to the region expected to be affected. As Haiyan was moving very fast, PAGASA issued warnings at different levels to about 60 of the 80 provinces, including the capital Metro Manila. On November 8, the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters was activated, providing widespread charitable satellite coverage to relief organizations.

Vietnam

As of November 9 the storm headed to Vietnam, where sustained wind speeds at landfall were forecast to be in the region of 120–130 km/h (75–80 mph), including gusts of up to 185 km/h (115 mph). 200,000 people were evacuated in central Vietnam. Schools were closed and people living in low-lying coastal areas moved to typhoon shelters on higher ground. Shipping was ordered back to port. Some 170,000 soldiers were mobilized to provide emergency relief. Shortly before, central Vietnam had suffered widespread damage from typhoons Wutip and Nari, but Haiyan was expected to be at least twice as powerful, and likely to cause much damage, particularly to houses to which makeshift repairs had been made after the earlier typhoons.

Approximately 600,000 people were evacuated ahead of Haiyan's arrival in Vietnam; however, there were complaints by many that the warnings came too late. On the small island of Cồn Cỏ, all residents were relocated to underground shelters with enough supplies for several days. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the country while schools were closed on November 11.

China

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters hoisted a level three emergency response in the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi. All fishing vessels were urged to return to ports by noon on November 9.

Under the combined effects of Haiyan and strong easterlies brought by the subtropical ridge, strong winds were recorded in Hong Kong from November 9, 2013. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Monsoon Signal at 19:10 HKT on November 9, 2013, and it was still in place on 13 November.

Impact

Micronesia and Palau

On Kayangel in Palau, a high storm surge damaged several houses, while strong winds downed trees. Despite residents' refusal to evacuate, no fatalities or major injuries took place on the island. Helicopters were flown to the island to survey damage and provide relief supplies. The government planned to evacuate those who were left homeless from the island. Koror, Babeldaob and Kayangel each lost access to water and power. In Koror, winds reaching as high as 120 km/h (75 mph) blew out rooftops and downed trees and power lines. A causeway linking an offshore hospital to the main island was temporarily shut down after being inundated by water. On the northern end of Babeldaob, Haiyan damaged schools and buildings. Lying closest to Haiyan at the time of the typhoon's passage, Kayangel was flooded in its entirety, and all homes were destroyed. Though no people were killed there, 69 others were displaced by the storm.

Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan caused catastrophic damage throughout much of Leyte and Samar islands, where cities and towns were largely destroyed. As of 6:00 a.m. local time on November 15, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed 2,360 fatalities across the country, 2,161 of those taking place in the Eastern Visayas. The full-scale of the disaster remains unclear, with the total loss of life estimated as low as 2,500 by President Benigno Aquino III to as high as 10,000 by various sources. 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.

In Surigao City, 281.9 mm (11.10 in) of rainfall was recorded, much of which fell in under 12 hours. Storm surges were also recorded in many places. In the island of Leyte and Samar, PAGASA measured 5–6 meter (15–19 ft) waves. 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. Along the airport, a storm surge of 4 m (13 ft) was estimated. Waves of 4.6 m (15 ft) were also estimated. On the western coast of Samar, the storm surge was not as significant.

Guiuan in Eastern Samar was the point of Haiyan's first landfall, and was severely affected due to the typhoon's impacts. Nearly all structures in the township suffered at least partial damage, many of which were completely flattened. For several days following Haiyan's first landfall, the damage situation in the fishing town remained unclear due to lack of communication. However, the damage could finally be assessed after Philippine Air Force staff arrived in Guiuan on November 10. As of November 13, 2013, the NDRRMC has confirmed 79 deaths and 500 injuries in Guiuan.

There was widespread devastation from the storm surge in Tacloban City, with many buildings being destroyed, trees knocked over or broken, and cars piled up. 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. City administrator Tecson John Lim stated that roughly 90 percent of the city had been destroyed. Journalists on the ground have described the devastation as, "off the scale, and apocalyptic". 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.

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. 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.

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." 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.

The storm crossed the Visayas region for almost a day, causing widespread flooding. In Cebu and Iloilo, struck by an earthquake two weeks before, cities were also severely devastated. 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 Iloilo to plan relief. 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.

Taiwan

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.

China

Typhoon Haiyan reached Hainan Province, where severe damage took place and six people were killed in various incidents. The hardest hit area was Qionghai, where roughly 3,500 people across 20 villages were isolated due to extensive flooding. Direct economic losses in Hainan amounted to ¥4.9 billion (US$803 million). In Guangxi Province to the north, heavy rains up to 380 mm (15 in) fell and wind gusts reached 100 km/h (60 mph). 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. Losses throughout Guangxi amounted to ¥275 million (US$45 million). 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. A cargo ship broke from its moorings at Sanya on November 8; three members of the crew drowned while four others went missing. One person also went missing off the coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

Vietnam

In neighboring Vietnam, Haiyan made landfall as a severe tropical storm and produced widespread heavy rain. Fourteen people were reported killed and 81 injured, mostly by accidents and health complications during preparation works. Four people are also listed as missing in Quang Ninh.

Aftermath

Philippines

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

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. Additionally, approximately ₱30.6 million (US$700,000) had been allocated in relief assistance by the NDRRMC. Local and national agencies deployed a collective 13,519 personnel, 811 vehicles, 40 seagoing vessels, and 24 aircraft for various operations.

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. 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." 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.

On November 14, a correspondent from the BBC reported Tacloban to be a "war zone," with tanks and armed military personnel entering the city. Safety concerns prompted several relief agencies to back out of the operation, and some United Nations staff were pulled out safety reasons. A message circulating among the agencies urged them to not go into Tacloban for this reason. 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.

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," 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.

Looting and violence

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. Security checkpoints have since been set up all over Tacloban and a curfew was imposed on residents to prevent more attacks. 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. President Benigno Aquino III considered declaring martial law in hopes of restoring order in affected areas.

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. 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. 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.

International response

United Nations and NGOs

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." The United Nations also began relief operations by this time; however, the severe damage to infrastructure hampered efforts to distribute supplies. Doctors Without Borders is sending 200 tons of aid. Major League Baseball donated $200,000 to UNICEF and American Red Cross, with Commissioner Bud Selig encouraging fans to donate to the organizations.

Americas

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

Hospital ship USNS Mercy

U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his sadness and support for the Philippines. The U.S. is contributing $20 million in aid, including aid in food and relief goods. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the Pacific Command to deploy vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) and its carrier strike group, to the region and aircraft for search and rescue missions as well as to deliver relief supplies. The hospital ship USNS Mercy (pictured) was also ordered to activate, and is expected to arrive at the Philippines in December 2013.

Canada has announced $5 million in immediate aid, as well as matching any contributions Canadians would make until December 8. Members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team were also deployed (using a Royal Canadian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III) to conduct search and rescue operations in affected areas. The government of Colombia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed its lament toward the dramatic consequences caused by typhoon Haiyan and offered to collaborate in any way possible at the request of the Philippine government. A plan was also implemented to aid its affected nationals and anyone in general with ties to Colombia through its consulate general in Manila. Chile also pledged to send humanitarian aid. Mexico donated $1,000,000.

Asia

China, one of the typhoon-affected countries, donated $200,000 to the Philippine relief effort. Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung expressed his deepest sympathies for the typhoon victims. There is a call to postpone the proposed economic sanctions on the Philippines as a result of the poor handling of the Manila hostage crisis three years before. Taiwan pledged $200,000 in relief funding. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida, expressed sympathy and condolences for the loss of lives due to the typhoon. Japan has offered humanitarian assistance and sent an assessment team of two people from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team to the typhoon-affected areas.

Russia offered to send a rescue team of 200 people to calamity-affected areas in the Philippines. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) opened up a hotline for its citizens to keep themselves updated with details about the typhoon and to share information about Russians in the Philippines who may have been affected by the calamity. EMERCOM personnel and Il-76 planes have been deployed to assist in relief and medical efforts after requests were made from Manila to Moscow, which was officially announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavarov. South Korea made a move to send an aid amounting $5 million to the Philippines. An emergency relief team composing of at least 34 people will be also sent by the South Korean government. Likewise, South Korean conglomerate Samsung has committed $1 million as financial aid to the Philippines.

On November 11, Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein contacted Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to determine the aid required. Despite that, the Malaysian Filipino community has started collecting relief items to be sent to the country. Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has expressed his and the people of Brunei's deepest sympathies to President Aquino over the situation along with the sending of an emergency team from his country. On November 13, the Malaysian government stated it will contribute $1 million along with the sending of essential items such as food and medicines worth 1.00 million MYR using the RMAF Charlie C-130 aircraft while Brunei would set up a humanitarian fund for the victims of the typhoon. Malaysian major commercial bank, Maybank also contributed to donate $330,000 to the Philippine Red Cross. The Singapore Red Cross received S$145,000 in donations from members of the public and S$200,000 from the Singapore government for humanitarian aid. Singapore has also deployed C-130 aircraft from its Air Force to transport relief supplies to Tacloban. Other ASEAN countries providing aid are Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia with the Vietnam Red Cross currently collecting donations.

Middle Eastern countries, where about 2 million Filipinos work, also pledged their aid. Israel promised to send medical and search and rescue teams after a six-man consisting of personnel from the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Defense Forces' Home Command would survey and assess the situation. Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz pledged $100,000 from the kingdom. Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally gave his condolences to President Aquino and donated $10,000,000. The Iranian Red Crescent Society announced in November 12 that it would offer humanitarian assistance. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham expressed her government's and people's deep sympathies to the victims. Iran's president Hassan Rouhani also echoed the previous Iranian calls of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart on November 12.

India has pledged immediate supply of 15 tonnes of relief material. India will be following it up by sending a ship with relief material to the affected areas. Australia has pledged $10 million in relief aid. New Zealand has committed $1.78 million in relief aid.

Europe

First UK-funded humanitarian flight arrives in Cebu City, Philippines.

The European Union has offered $4.2 million, and Australia $10 million. Germany is transporting 23 tons of aid as well as supplying rescue teams. The United Kingdom has offered a support package worth more than £10 million along with HMS Illustrious, HMS Daring and a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The Government of Norway has provided 65 million NOK (US$10.6 million) in aid that will be dispersed through Red Cross and UN for actions in the Philippines. Additionally, 70 tonnes of advanced communication equipment was dispatched.

Norwegians supported various aid agencies, such as the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian branch of Save the Children, with donations through texting reaching 20 million NOK (US$3.2 million). The Norwegian Shipowners' Association sent its training vessel into the affected areas, becoming the first civilian ship to take part in the rescue efforts. The ship departed Manila for Tacloban with 100 tonnes of food and medical equipment and personnel. The Vatican announced that it will donate $150,000. Pope Francis expressed his sympathy and asked for people to pray in solidarity for the victims. The Irish government dispatched around 100 tonnes of emergency supplies from its UN humanitarian aid stocks which are being distributed by Plan Ireland, along with €1 million already pledged by the government.

Politics involving aid relief

The aid contributions of China and the United States were given focus with regards to their involvement in the politics of the Philippines. 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.

China was initially criticized for its meager contribution of US $100,000 to the typhoon victims which lead to commentary about its disputes with the Philippines Earlier in 2013, the Philippines sued China over the nine-dotted line. Commentators attribute this low amount to China's intentions to isolate the Philippines while strengthening its ties with the rest of Southeast Asia. The move had mixed reactions from the public of China with some commending its decision while others, such as The Global Times, insisted that China should be a responsible power. China later increased its contributions to US$ 1.4 million.

The contributions of the United States was in contrast to that of China. It gave the Philippines an amount of US$ 20 million worth of aid apart from deploying the United States Marines in order to assist with the humanitarian operations. 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 improve relations.

Criticism of government response

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. 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. 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. 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.

See also

• Typhoons in the Philippines
  • Typhoon Angela (Rosing; 1995) – swept through the Philippines at an intensity similar to Haiyan
  • Typhoon Mike (Ruping; 1990) – one of the worst typhoons in Central Philippine history
  • Typhoon Bopha (Pablo; 2012) – most destructive Philippine typhoon
  • Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring; 1991) – deadliest Philippine tropical cyclone
• Typhoon Tip – strongest tropical cyclone based on pressure in recorded history

External links

• Tropical Cyclone Information of TY 1330 (Haiyan) from the Japan Meteorological Agency
• Tropical Cyclone Information from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
• General information of Typhoon 201330 (Haiyan) from Digital Typhoon
• Super Typhoon Haiyan from the CIMSS Satellite Blog
• Animated sequence from the Hong Kong Observatory
• Compilation of satellite imagery and mapping products, pre- and post-disaster from UN-SPIDER
• Latest humanitarian response information via ReliefWeb
• Response to the crisis via FAO in emergencies
• IMAGES: Haiyan: Before and after the storm BBC 12 November 2013
• Typhoon Haiyan coverage by CBSnews