GEOG 1300 - Regional Geography
Planning a Refugee Camp: Internally Displaced Persons - Hurricane Haiyan (Typhoon Yolanda)
By Alysha Lagaras
By Alysha Lagaras
I chose Hurricane Haiyan for my refugee project, because my family and heritage is Filipino. I wanted to do more research about my country, and the recent natural disaster they are still recovering from.
LOCATION OF REFUGEE CAMPS
The location is a tough one to choose, because there are so many islands. To travel to one another (especially the injured or ill) you would need to travel by plane or boat.
My initial island to choose would be Negros Island, because it is located in the center of all the damages by Hurricane Haiyan.
My initial island to choose would be Negros Island, because it is located in the center of all the damages by Hurricane Haiyan.
HIGHLIGHTS AND FACTS
AFFECTED PEOPLE: 11.8 Million
PEOPLE IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE: 2.5 Million
PEOPLE DISPLACED: 921,212
PEOPLE INJURED: 3,853
REPORTED DEATHS: 4,460
HOUSES COMPLETELY DESTROYED: 131,106
HOUSES PARTIALLY DAMAGED: 243,595
HEALTH ISSUES: Tetanus, acute respiratory infections, measles, leptospirosis, and typhoid fever
Estimated 4.8 million people were affected across nine regions and 36 provinces.
PEOPLE IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE: 2.5 Million
PEOPLE DISPLACED: 921,212
PEOPLE INJURED: 3,853
REPORTED DEATHS: 4,460
HOUSES COMPLETELY DESTROYED: 131,106
HOUSES PARTIALLY DAMAGED: 243,595
HEALTH ISSUES: Tetanus, acute respiratory infections, measles, leptospirosis, and typhoid fever
Estimated 4.8 million people were affected across nine regions and 36 provinces.
THE QUANTITY AND SUPPLIES NEEDED
A total of 2.5 Million people are in need for food assistance since there is a high number of people who are injured, you need to have a number of medical supplies. I would make sure to coordinate three separate medical hospitals in designated areas (I would choose nearby cities for quick access to nearby supplies, food, water, etc.) and five teams for each hospital to continuously look for Hurrican Haiyan victims nearby to transfer them to safety.
WASH facilities, measles vaccination campaigns and restoration of cold chain facilities are mandatory. (According to the ASDH - Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health)
The need for first aid kits (to cover basic health services/injuries) to cover at least 5,000 would need to be sent to each hospital, and medical teams. Including 300-400 advanced medical kits needed for temporary surgery until victim is reached to safer destinations. Ambulance vehicles will also be provided with generator sets, a cooler (or refrigerator) to store medicines, one delivery bed, and any personal hygiene kits.
To even make sure your workers are vaccinated themselves before going into service is an issue.
WASH facilities, measles vaccination campaigns and restoration of cold chain facilities are mandatory. (According to the ASDH - Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health)
The need for first aid kits (to cover basic health services/injuries) to cover at least 5,000 would need to be sent to each hospital, and medical teams. Including 300-400 advanced medical kits needed for temporary surgery until victim is reached to safer destinations. Ambulance vehicles will also be provided with generator sets, a cooler (or refrigerator) to store medicines, one delivery bed, and any personal hygiene kits.
To even make sure your workers are vaccinated themselves before going into service is an issue.
A PLAN FOR DISTRIBUTING THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES FAIRLY AND EFFICIENTLY
The main challenges for distributing supplies (food and water) and services fairly and efficiently would be the costs of transportation and the need for an emergency two-way communication platforms. Finding different way for a faster way to distribute food.
Needing as many as possible military/assessments teams to be deployed to Cebu, I would also distribute supplies to airports when teams or military volunteers arrive.
Medical teams would require a high amount of fuel for transportation, water, and safety from leaving the refugee camp sites and back.
The lack of communication, damaged infrastructure, blocked roads/routes, and power outages would make delivery and distributing very difficult.
Lack of communication in between camps/hospitals/personnel/dispatch would also make distributing limited.
Another factor would be that in the Philippines, the weather is very hot and humid. Therefore, most victims cannot walk on foot for too long without clean drinking water or they will suffer by dehydration and over exertion.
Also fixing water pumps for quicker release of drinkable water.
Needing as many as possible military/assessments teams to be deployed to Cebu, I would also distribute supplies to airports when teams or military volunteers arrive.
Medical teams would require a high amount of fuel for transportation, water, and safety from leaving the refugee camp sites and back.
The lack of communication, damaged infrastructure, blocked roads/routes, and power outages would make delivery and distributing very difficult.
Lack of communication in between camps/hospitals/personnel/dispatch would also make distributing limited.
Another factor would be that in the Philippines, the weather is very hot and humid. Therefore, most victims cannot walk on foot for too long without clean drinking water or they will suffer by dehydration and over exertion.
Also fixing water pumps for quicker release of drinkable water.
SPECIFIC PLANS FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS
First, a complete clearance of school age children in affected areas and the psycho-social support services for replacements and damages for the younger children.
There were an estimated 112,000 children (ages between 0 - 59 months) being displaced.
70,000 pregnant women who were also displaced and at-risk.
For the pregnant women, they would need nutrition assistance immediately. Any vitamins for iron or Vitamin A capsules. Also, children needing vaccinations for any possible sicknesses.
Power outages are also a protection risk for women and children at night.
Keeping two-way communication available for the women and children to help trace their families and missing relatives.
Complete water kits, tablets, filters, etc., for women and children.
High security for IDP and easing/understanding their stress and providing protection.
There were an estimated 112,000 children (ages between 0 - 59 months) being displaced.
70,000 pregnant women who were also displaced and at-risk.
For the pregnant women, they would need nutrition assistance immediately. Any vitamins for iron or Vitamin A capsules. Also, children needing vaccinations for any possible sicknesses.
Power outages are also a protection risk for women and children at night.
Keeping two-way communication available for the women and children to help trace their families and missing relatives.
Complete water kits, tablets, filters, etc., for women and children.
High security for IDP and easing/understanding their stress and providing protection.