By now, you’ve probably heard about the Super Typhoon Haiyan that plowed through the Philippines earlier this week. While many people know that the typhoon occurred, we’ve come across a number of individuals who seem unaware of the details.
Maybe there has been so much information that you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you haven’t had the time to keep up with it. Or maybe you simply don’t have the heart to read into it. Whatever the reason, we’ve decided to compile a list of information regarding this tragic disaster to give you a glimpse of the aftermath.
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1. This is one of the strongest Typhoons in history.
With sustained winds of 195 mph and gusts of 235 mph, Typhoon Haiyan is the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded and possibly the strongest recorded typhoon to have ever hit land. According to The Guardian, this is the third and strongest Category 5 typhoon in the Philippines.
Haiyan is the third Category 5 “super typhoon” to hit the Philippines since 2010. “In 2010 Megi peaked at 180mph winds but killed only 35 people, and did $276m in damage. But Bopha, which hit the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on 3 December, 2012 , left 1,901 people dead and was the costliest natural disaster in Philippines history at the time,” said Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at US-based Weather Underground in his daily blog.
2. There are more than 10,000 estimated deaths.
An estimated 10,000 people have died in one city, Tacloban, alone. Adding on to the results of the Bohol earthquake of Oct. 15 2013, nearly 620,000 people have been displaced from their homes and communities.
3. Entire cities were destroyed.
ABC’s South-East Asia correspondent Zoe Daniel described scenes of destruction in Tacloban.
Even to walk down the road is extremely difficult. You’re climbing over cars and buses that have been tossed by the wind and swept in by the storm surge.
“There are still bodies littering the sides of the roads that have not been collected. People are sheltering under whatever they can find. There’s a real sense of frustration among people because they don’t have enough food, they don’t have enough water.
4. Citizens call for immediate action.
A climate negotiator from the Philippines makes a tearful speech at the UN climate talks in Warsaw asking the word to take immediate action.
5. Some people can be cruel.
A teacher in Canada posted this cruel status in regards to the large death toll from the Typhoon. Her profile was deleted after quite a bit of angry backlash.
CNN is also facing its share of angry comments for its remark that the Philippines was “privileged” to have experienced such a storm.
6. And another storm seems to be on its way.
The earthquake in October left nearly 350,000 people homeless. Typhoon Haiyan increased that number to 620,000 and had more than 10,000 casualties. Now, another storm is headed towards the already weakened Philippines. The tropical depression named Zoraida is the 25th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.
7. So here’s how you can help.
There are a number of organizations providing aid to the Philippines who are looking for help/donations .
Philippine Red Cross is sending rescue teams to affected areas of the country.
UN humanitarian response depot (UNHRD) have set up hubs with equipment to affected areas.
The UN’s World Food Program is providing food assistance to families and children.
UNHCR is providing emergency resources to the affected areas.
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Unicef‘s Philippine branch is trying to provide access to drinkable water, medical supplies, food and shelter
Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty, is accepting monetary donations as well as nonperishable goods such as children’s vitamins, rice, kitchen utensils and blankets.
A shipping company is delivering to the Philippines for free.
Candlelight Vigils are being held in various communities to raise relief funds.
