On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, struck the Philippines with unprecedented force. The storm, one of the strongest ever recorded, brought winds exceeding 195 mph and massive storm surges that devastated coastal communities.
The impact was catastrophic. Thousands of lives were lost, and entire towns were flattened. The city of Tacloban was particularly hard-hit, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes. The humanitarian response to the disaster was immediate, with international aid pouring in from various countries and organizations.
Relief efforts were led by the Philippine government, alongside global agencies such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. Despite the challenges of delivering aid to affected areas, efforts focused on providing emergency shelter, food, and medical care to survivors.
The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities to extreme weather events and underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience. The recovery process involved rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and addressing long-term impacts on affected populations.