Typhoon Haiyan: the response so far and vital lessons for the Philippines recovery

This paper challenges the world to remember the Philippines long after the TV cameras have gone. It provides a snapshot of the humanitarian response’s initial successes and struggles. More importantly, it then sums up the challenges that the Philippines and the international community now face: (i) to fill the gaps in the immediate response; (ii) on the long road to recovery from Haiyan; and (ii) to plan for and cope with the future disasters (partly driven by climate change) that will hit hazard-prone communities in many countries in the future, calling on the Philippines authorities and the world to increase efforts to tackle poverty, and to reduce the growing risk of climate-related disasters that the Philippines and other countries will face.