Typhoon Haiyan

On 8 November 2013 one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded made landfall in the Philippines. In the early hours of the morning, typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) ripped through islands in the Visayas region, destroying millions of lives.

• Waves measured eight metres, carried by winds of up to 195 mph.
• The typhoon claimed the lives of 6,340 people, injured thousands and left 4.1 million people displaced.
• 4.1 million people were displaced.
• 1 million homes were damaged.

For large-scale emergencies like Haiyan, funds are always used strategically as the road to recovery can be a long and gruelling process and priorities change throughout.

In the case of the Philippines, it was important that we not only helped communities to recover, but to also equip them with the knowledge and skills to help them protect themselves against the changing climate.

• We reached more than 180,000 people in the immediate aftermath.
• Complex landscape and logistics made it difficult to reach more remote areas, but our partners were on the ground providing the most vulnerable communities with vital supplies including food, water, sleeping mats, blankets and shelter kits.
• We were also able to provide livelihoods training: we gave people the tools to help them rebuild their livelihoods, such as fishing boats, nets and seeds.
• Cash grants were also provided as part of cash for work schemes that helped rebuild the community.