MIRA: Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment Philippines Typhoon Haiyan, November 2013

PRIORITY NEEDS

Immediate need to provide food and water assistance to all affected communities
Immediate food needs must be addressed to prevent rapid deterioration in nutritional status, health and well-being of the worst-affected people with precipitating factors such as a possible increase in water-borne disease and limited access to safe water. Early restoration of food security should be met through support to livelihoods and agricultural production, by re-establishing markets, re-planting fields, and re-enabling access to food sources.

Urgent and extensive shelter requirements
With 515,179 houses totally destroyed and 551,546 partially damaged in the affected areas, people need support to repair, reconstruct their houses, or build makeshift shelter on their existing plot of land including debris and rubble clearance. Loss of assets and possessions, decreased financial capacity and lack of functioning markets affect the self-recovery capacity of affected people. Loss of documents can lead to significant land and property rights issues.

Recovery of livelihoods, including farming, fishing and the service industry
With 45 per cent of sampled communities reporting farming as their primary source of income, the most urgent needs are to replant the damaged rice and corn fields during present planting season. Support is also required to repair fishing assets, 30 per cent of respondents indicated fishing to be a primary source of income. A priority need is to resume employment and livelihoods, clearing of debris and rehabilitation of public infrastructure including local markets in urban areas to ensure access.

Restoration of WASH, education, health, protective and other community services, and management of displacement
Restore full functionality of essential community services for water and sanitation, education, health and social welfare. Unattended needs in evacuation centers for those unable to return home, including WASH, should be addressed as a priority with 240,377 IDPs in 1,092 centres.