On 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan battered the Philippines and was marked as the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall in recorded history. The typhoon tore through the Central Visayas region with 300kph winds and heavy rain, triggering floods and mudslides and causing tsunami-like storm surges that destroyed coastal villages and towns.
Powerful winds, heavy rain, and tsunami-like storm surges caused by Haiyan wiped out entire coastal villages and inland towns, affecting more than 16 million people, forcing some four million away from their homes, and killing 6,300. More than 1.1 million families had their homes damaged or destroyed, while countless others had their crops, livestock, and belongings swept away. Hospitals and health facilities, schools and day care centres, water systems, power lines and telecommunications channels were torn apart. Roads, airports and seaports suffered heavy damage, cutting off entire communities from much-needed relief assistance.
The Philippine Red Cross’ response to Typhoon Haiyan was immediate, and with the international call for support from the Philippine government, the entire Red Cross Red Crescent Movement came together to further strengthen the National Society’s efforts. In the first four or so months following the typhoon, focus of the response was largely in fulfilling food, emergency shelter, healthcare and medical services, access to safe water, improved sanitation and essential household needs. With time, emphasis moved from emergency towards recovery efforts in support of those affected by the disaster.