There is a thin line between preparedness and vulnerability – this is probably the greatest thing I have learned from this catastrophe. At one point we were all acting complacent; the next instance, everything was out of our control. After this incident, it has come upon to my realization that disaster preparedness is indeed a crucial process that we must practice in order to reduce the risk brought by any foreseen or unforeseen calamity.
On the day before Typhoon Haiyan, there were preparations made in our place. Large trees near houses were cut down, an evacuation center was designated, and all were advised to stay home. In our household, we readied the flashlights and the radio and bought food stock, candles, batteries, and other essential things in preparation for the storm. On the evening, we watched the news to be updated of the storm’s track and the predicted time of landfall. We saw the image of the typhoon; it was very large that it could cover the entire country. The eye of the storm was visibly clear, and it was perfectly round – a sign that it was rotating with a high wind speed. Although I was aware that this typhoon would be much stronger than all the others I have experienced, I actually thought all those preparations were way excessive. I assumed the typhoon would simply happen without bringing serious damage just like all the other typical typhoons we experience.
The next morning, the typhoon arrived earlier than expected; the predicted time was 8 in the morning but it was felt as early as 4 am in our place. Electricity was out as soon as the storm came, and cellular phone signal was also gone some hours later. On the first few hours, we thought everything was manageable; but the next five hours was when Haiyan exceeded our expectations as it exhibited its unbelievable violence. Large trees and concrete posts were severed, and various types of debris were flying everywhere in just a matter of time. The situation was a chaos no one could have imagined.
In this case, we have dealt with a foreseen calamity – a typhoon. Unlike earthquakes - which are unprecedented, we have an early warning system for typhoons. When they enter our country’s area of responsibility, we are then notified through the news that there is an incoming storm. A week before, we were already informed about a colossal storm heading our way; however, the preparation by the people and the authorities were not sufficient enough to match the hazard that Haiyan would actually induce. It was an underestimated threat; and this was a great factor that worsened the impact of the disaster.
Although we're aware that no matter how extensive our preparations may be, there's no way to counter or cancel the storm's immense power; all we could do is to undertake preemptive measures to avoid the risk it brings. However, right now, it is very clear that our country's disaster risk reduction measures are highly inadequate and inefficient. It is evident in the number of casualties, injuries, and damages that we have suffered. Apart from preparation, our disaster response is also truly dissatisfying. In the storm's aftermath, the devastated regions were urgently in need of disaster relief and assistance. Yet, we could all agree that at that time, our government could not cater to the needs of the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost almost everything. If not because of the outpouring aid and support from the international community, we would have been in a state of desolation. The situation in the aftermath of this calamity was entirely disheartening; yet the more saddening truth is the inadequacy of effort by our own government and the agencies responsible. If this fault is not addressed, then we may be suffering greater consequences in the future.
We do know that it was the first time a typhoon slammed our country with a magnitude that went off the scale; yet we should also realize that it might be just the beginning of a series of more violent threats to come. According to experts in meteorology, as global temperature rises, we are expecting storms to be more destructive. This means that in the next few years, or even months, we would probably be facing another Typhoon Haiyan. It is truly frightening. But right now we should start focusing on what has to be done. With the rapidly changing and degrading condition of our world's climate, it is imperative that our disaster risk reduction measures also has to cope up and adapt to these changes.
These measures should not be limited to the short term preparations that we make weeks or days before an upcoming typhoon; but instead we should focus more on the long-term and real time preventive methods. One is the urgency for the people to be educated and oriented on disaster preparedness. All of us must be aware of its importance and its implications. Everyone is vulnerable during a disaster; but if people are guided enough on what to think and how to act in such situation, then risk will be reduced.
However, there are more things to improve on aside from mental preparedness. When we put into mind what has happened in Tacloban, we can identify major faults that worsened the disaster. Settlements near the coastlines were engulfed by the raging storm surge, wiping out countless lives. The designated evacuation center, which was also near the sea, was destroyed in the same way. If we really want to avoid mistakes of the past, the task is not only to rebuild, but to build better. Storms are only getting stronger, hence we should build more disaster-resilient houses and infrastructures. Where we build these structures also matters. For a given town or city, safe zones and unsafe zones should be demarcated. For instance, the areas prone to flood, storm surge, or landslide should be identified. Settling on unsafe zones, of course should be prohibited; thus there is a need for people living near rivers, or the sea to be relocated. Moreover, important infrastructures like hospitals and evacuation centers should be designated on the safest possible location to ensure the residents have access to safety and medical needs during typhoons or other calamities.
Haiyan did not only leave us with casualties and damages; but more importantly, we were left with lessons - lessons that would prepare us for the future, lessons that would help us avoid the mistakes of the past. I can only hope that these lessons will not just be left disregarded and forgotten. We shouldn't wait for another massive calamity to shaken our country just for us to learn. If we remain unresponsive and indifferent towards these matters, we will only jeopardize the lives of many, including our own.
On the day before Typhoon Haiyan, there were preparations made in our place. Large trees near houses were cut down, an evacuation center was designated, and all were advised to stay home. In our household, we readied the flashlights and the radio and bought food stock, candles, batteries, and other essential things in preparation for the storm. On the evening, we watched the news to be updated of the storm’s track and the predicted time of landfall. We saw the image of the typhoon; it was very large that it could cover the entire country. The eye of the storm was visibly clear, and it was perfectly round – a sign that it was rotating with a high wind speed. Although I was aware that this typhoon would be much stronger than all the others I have experienced, I actually thought all those preparations were way excessive. I assumed the typhoon would simply happen without bringing serious damage just like all the other typical typhoons we experience.
The next morning, the typhoon arrived earlier than expected; the predicted time was 8 in the morning but it was felt as early as 4 am in our place. Electricity was out as soon as the storm came, and cellular phone signal was also gone some hours later. On the first few hours, we thought everything was manageable; but the next five hours was when Haiyan exceeded our expectations as it exhibited its unbelievable violence. Large trees and concrete posts were severed, and various types of debris were flying everywhere in just a matter of time. The situation was a chaos no one could have imagined.
In this case, we have dealt with a foreseen calamity – a typhoon. Unlike earthquakes - which are unprecedented, we have an early warning system for typhoons. When they enter our country’s area of responsibility, we are then notified through the news that there is an incoming storm. A week before, we were already informed about a colossal storm heading our way; however, the preparation by the people and the authorities were not sufficient enough to match the hazard that Haiyan would actually induce. It was an underestimated threat; and this was a great factor that worsened the impact of the disaster.
Although we're aware that no matter how extensive our preparations may be, there's no way to counter or cancel the storm's immense power; all we could do is to undertake preemptive measures to avoid the risk it brings. However, right now, it is very clear that our country's disaster risk reduction measures are highly inadequate and inefficient. It is evident in the number of casualties, injuries, and damages that we have suffered. Apart from preparation, our disaster response is also truly dissatisfying. In the storm's aftermath, the devastated regions were urgently in need of disaster relief and assistance. Yet, we could all agree that at that time, our government could not cater to the needs of the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost almost everything. If not because of the outpouring aid and support from the international community, we would have been in a state of desolation. The situation in the aftermath of this calamity was entirely disheartening; yet the more saddening truth is the inadequacy of effort by our own government and the agencies responsible. If this fault is not addressed, then we may be suffering greater consequences in the future.
We do know that it was the first time a typhoon slammed our country with a magnitude that went off the scale; yet we should also realize that it might be just the beginning of a series of more violent threats to come. According to experts in meteorology, as global temperature rises, we are expecting storms to be more destructive. This means that in the next few years, or even months, we would probably be facing another Typhoon Haiyan. It is truly frightening. But right now we should start focusing on what has to be done. With the rapidly changing and degrading condition of our world's climate, it is imperative that our disaster risk reduction measures also has to cope up and adapt to these changes.
These measures should not be limited to the short term preparations that we make weeks or days before an upcoming typhoon; but instead we should focus more on the long-term and real time preventive methods. One is the urgency for the people to be educated and oriented on disaster preparedness. All of us must be aware of its importance and its implications. Everyone is vulnerable during a disaster; but if people are guided enough on what to think and how to act in such situation, then risk will be reduced.
However, there are more things to improve on aside from mental preparedness. When we put into mind what has happened in Tacloban, we can identify major faults that worsened the disaster. Settlements near the coastlines were engulfed by the raging storm surge, wiping out countless lives. The designated evacuation center, which was also near the sea, was destroyed in the same way. If we really want to avoid mistakes of the past, the task is not only to rebuild, but to build better. Storms are only getting stronger, hence we should build more disaster-resilient houses and infrastructures. Where we build these structures also matters. For a given town or city, safe zones and unsafe zones should be demarcated. For instance, the areas prone to flood, storm surge, or landslide should be identified. Settling on unsafe zones, of course should be prohibited; thus there is a need for people living near rivers, or the sea to be relocated. Moreover, important infrastructures like hospitals and evacuation centers should be designated on the safest possible location to ensure the residents have access to safety and medical needs during typhoons or other calamities.
Haiyan did not only leave us with casualties and damages; but more importantly, we were left with lessons - lessons that would prepare us for the future, lessons that would help us avoid the mistakes of the past. I can only hope that these lessons will not just be left disregarded and forgotten. We shouldn't wait for another massive calamity to shaken our country just for us to learn. If we remain unresponsive and indifferent towards these matters, we will only jeopardize the lives of many, including our own.
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