Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) that struck the Philippines on 8 November 2013 was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded; it caused massive damage across the Visayas and killed over six thousand people. Over four million people were displaced and over one million homes were damaged/destroyed. Livelihoods were severely affected with some 33 million coconut trees damaged and around 30 000 fishing boats damaged and/or destroyed.
The response of the member agencies of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the Humanitarian Coalition (HC) to date has been good. Faced with large logistical challenges agencies have on the whole been effective and efficient in their response, providing timely essential assistance such as food, shelter and essential non-food items (NFIs).
