Feared to be one of the disastrous storms of the century, storm Haiyan hit the central parts of Philippines. When the storm hit the residential areas on Friday morning, the wind blew with the speed of 379 kilometers per hour and waves rose with the height of 15 meters. These two dangerous elements filled many towns and cities with water, hundreds of houses collapsed and according to the initial reports, more than 100 people had died but according to the international welfare organizations, death toll may increase and it might have already crossed more than ten thousand deaths. Strong winds brought down hundreds of trees and debris of houses and fallen trees has blocked the main roads which are badly affecting the rescue work. Almost all the affected areas are without power and there is extreme shortage of food supplies and from some places, incidents of looting of food supplies have been reported. According to the reports, more than ten million people have been affected by this storm and consequent flooding and hundreds and thousands have been misplaced.
Environmental experts had warned about this storm which was approaching with a dangerous speed towards Philippines and after leaving behind its destructive signs in the country, it is approaching towards Vietnam where precautionary measures have already been taken. Same measures were taken in Philippines as well and hundreds and thousands of people were evacuated from different parts of the country and according to the government sources, these measures helped in keeping low the death toll.
It must be kept in mind that some of the affected areas were recovering from the disasters of last month’s earthquake which also left thousands of people dead in the country. Most of the relief work is being carried out by helicopters and planes of army while the ships and even the boats of sailors and fishermen have been stopped from movement due to the dangerous waves in the sea.
World Food Program spokesman Bettina Luescher said the UN group was gearing up its global resources to send enough food to feed 120,000 people.
She also added that the world body was sending IT teams and telecommunications equipment to help humanitarian groups coordinate their efforts once they reach the area.
She noted that much of the country’s infrastructure may have been destroyed or damaged and that the government could use help with logistics.
Luescher pleaded for financial support from the international community so that sufferings of affected people should be decreased.
On the other hand, more effective and coordinated efforts have been recommended for the rest of the countries coming on the way of this storm.