3 years after Typhoon Haiyan, data reveals lessons in funding and rehabilitation

Three years ago, the strongest typhoon ever known to make landfall ravaged the Philippines and triggered one of the world’s biggest humanitarian catastrophes and relief and recovery operations. More than 16 million people were affected by Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda), approximately 7,350 people died, 4.1 million were displaced and 1 million homes were destroyed.

Losses were pegged at approximately $300 million. Because most of the affected area was extremely impoverished, 1 in 3 families were especially vulnerable to loss of income and shelter. The hardest hit areas, notably the Eastern Visayas region, experienced double-digit increases in poverty incidence.

In addition to the colossal damage, Haiyan was extraordinary because video of the event and aftermath were streamed into living rooms and offices worldwide. The dramatic storm surge — which caused the most devastation — was not predicted, but the typhoon’s direction and intensity was forecasted a couple days in advance, which allowed some media organizations to position themselves on the ground prior to the storm and share what they saw. Other distressing footage was captured and revealed on individual smartphones and devices.