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Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

theguardian.com

11–20 of 153 posts

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#11

U.S. military will support typhoon recovery efforts in various ways. The U.S. military announced that Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed troops to support these humanitarian missions. That includes deploying aircraft for search-and-rescue missions, bringing in aid and providing logistical support. The U.S. force will be led by Marines out of Okinawa, Japan, according to two U.S. military officials. Other military ser…

It was clear days before landfall that this was a huge storm; the ships should have already been enroute, and other supplies staged in Guam and Okinawa.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#12
post #5

Wow, that's an insane death toll. To put this in perspective, last year, another super typhoon, Pablo, killed close to 2000 I believe. The year before that another devastating typhoon, Sendong, killed something like 1200. The Philippines regularly gets hit with 20 typhoons each year and the typhoon season isn't over. Each of the above mentioned typhoons hit in December. This has to be among the deadliest in Philippin…

Fortunately we missed it here in Manila also, this is very devastating for the country and it is going to be that way for some time. People without housing, food, water, and daily requirements.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#13
post #11

U.S. military will support typhoon recovery efforts in various ways. The U.S. military announced that Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed troops to support these humanitarian missions. That includes deploying aircraft for search-and-rescue missions, bringing in aid and providing logistical support. The U.S. force will be led by Marines out of Okinawa, Japan, according to two U.S. military officials. Other military ser…

It was clear days before landfall that this was a huge storm; the ships should have already been enroute, and other supplies staged in Guam and Okinawa.

I really hope they are better prepared next time, because there will definitely be another super storm typhoon like this. And I hope when they rebuild new structures in these coastal areas, they will be higher and stronger to withstand these things.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#14

Right now the important things needed are hospital ships, helicopters, medical supplies, drinking water, food and shelters... I feel so helpless donating just cash, so many lives need to be helped.

Nearly 480,000 people were displaced and 4.5 million "affected" by the typhoon in 36 provinces, the national disaster agency said, as relief agencies called for food, water, medicines and tarpaulins for the homeless.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/10/philippines-typhoon...

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#15

This could have clearly been avoided. See what India did with Phalin, with an early warning system and planned evacuation: http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/10/13/india-cyclone-phail... Less than 20 people died.

It is a credit to the states that could put 1 million people into shelters for Phalin, but we don't know all the circumstances so we should not unnecessarily criticize.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#16
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was clear days before landfall that this was a huge storm; the ships should have already been enroute, and other supplies staged in Guam and Okinawa.

I really hope they are better prepared next time, because there will definitely be another super storm typhoon like this. And I hope when they rebuild new structures in these coastal areas, they will be higher and stronger to withstand these things.

People there are always prepared, they know that it's typhoon season around this time of the year. But there's only so much preparation you can do with the money they have.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#17
post #2

I still don't get why the US Navy hasn't put an LHD or equivalent amphibious group into the relief effort -- it would be a great humanitarian thing, plus a show of strength for one of our key Pacific allies after the "pivot to Asia" -- a pretty clear implication that if we can put a battalion ashore to help hours after a hurricane, we can do similar things during a conflict. Extra points due to the huge number of USN…

It does not make sense for the government/Navy to have disaster relief ships on high alert (like the Marines are for example). The cost of maintaining that high alert status is high and the money would be much better spent nearly providing a lot more (but a little less timely) aid and support. I am sure the Navy will help, just maybe not today or tomorrow.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#18

Right now the important things needed are hospital ships, helicopters, medical supplies, drinking water, food and shelters... I feel so helpless donating just cash, so many lives need to be helped.

Regarding 'just cash', I would like to quote the Red Cross:

"The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation. Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site which avoids delays and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected area has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy."

http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/other-w...

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#19
post #3

US "news" is finally starting to cover this. I mean 10K, that is just beyond devastating, it should be front page news for months. We lost 1800 with Katrina.

The 2004 Tsunami killed 250,000 people, and that only managed to stay on the news for a few weeks.

Re: Typhoon Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines

#20
post #3

US "news" is finally starting to cover this. I mean 10K, that is just beyond devastating, it should be front page news for months. We lost 1800 with Katrina.

The 2004 Tsunami killed 250,000 people, and that only managed to stay on the news for a few weeks.

Oh my gosh I had no idea the final toll was that high.

That part of the world is being devastated.

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