This article is appropriately quoted in the “ Rant “ section.


Meteorologists will never know whether typhoon Haiyan was the strongest storm to make landfall, because reliable records only go back a few decades – but for sure it is one of them.


Our Filipino friends and loved ones have repeatedly thanked the international community for their generous donations .


It’s possible we could individually have sent money to contacts using Western Union ( who have temporarily waived transfer fees ) or other means. But expertise is needed in allocating the huge amounts of money and resources involved. This expertise does come at a cost ; and unfortunately with a degree of corruption.


Supposing the world had largely ignored this catastrophe in the Philippines ? We have a tiny sample of the “ rant “ which would have ensued, had other nations been as “ mean “ ( so far ) as China ! I hate to think how many more deaths there might have been, with epidemics to follow.


The Disaster Emergency Committee, countless other charities, United Nations, and World Health Organization are imperfect - what organization isn’t ? The “ endless chaos and confusion “ mentioned by the “ Mail “ journalist would have been dramatically and tragically worse without them !


He further recommends “ give money to any organization whose core activity is emergency work, which doesn’t spend huge sums on fund-raising, which doesn’t overpay its executives, and which is open about difficulties of delivery “. Then :- “ by using the internet, it is possible to donate directly to ( local organizations ) “. Finally :- “ give your money to those who’ll genuinely pass it on to the victims “. His evidence is lacking that these recommendations on their own would be more effective .


Haiyan’s victims have not ( yet ) received enough help. AFTER the need for food, clean water, and shelter ; poor sanitation, lack of medicines ( including antibiotics, vaccines, and surgical materials ), and stagnant water WILL pose further health threats.


The scale of this catastrophe WAS unusual, even in a country with high incidences of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and less ferocious typhoons. Obviously responding to this disaster is essential – if flawed, mainly because of its rapid and huge scale of devastation.


Already ( more ) lessons have been learned, just as well because the Philippines and the rest of the world need to prepare for the NEXT. Worldwide, there is no certain trend in frequency or intensity of tropical storms. Thankfully given the rarity of storms like Haiyan, it will take a long time for any trend to become apparent. Let’s hope it WILL be a very long time, if ever.



For the future, it’s not just a question of direct emergency relief and how best to provide it, but also how to build the Philippines’ resistance, such as by economic growth ( Leyte and Samar are among the poorest provinces ) providing more robust housing ; less endemic corruption ; and better early warning systems with safety drills.


EVERY member has been affected one way or another by this disaster. The international and Philippines national response may have been unavoidably imperfect … but could have been a whole lot worse.


It’s vital, in my opinion, to stay positive. Keep the cynicism to a minimum. This issue must surely rank among the most important to unite every Forum member .