Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Super Typhoon Yolanda, left
the Philippines in a national state of calamity with at least 2 million
families in 44 provinces gravely affected, according to the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The world has united to help victims of the
disaster wrought by one of the strongest storms ever recorded. Various relief
efforts are helping to alleviate the dire situation. But long-term strategies
involving strategic mapping of urban and rural developments are needed more
than ever. Learning where and how to adapt to future storms, including surges, in
order to minimize the impact of such weather disturbances is key to
rebuilding lives, property and infrastructure in the damaged areas.