Strongest Storm in History
Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the world, plowed across the central Philippines on November 8, 2013. The lethal combination of winds nearing 300 km/h and heavy rains brought unprecedented devastation.
An estimated 16.1 million people were affected, with 1.1 million damaged or destroyed homes and as many as 4.1 million people displaced - nearly four times as many as those left homeless by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least 6,300 people lost their lives and another 5.9 million workers lost their livelihoods and source of income to support their families.
In the immediate aftermath, CARE collaborated with the United Nations and some 40 other agencies to rapidly assess the situation and needs of people across nine provinces. Food, shelter and the restoration of livelihoods were the biggest priorities identified.
Despite severe logistical challenges due to flooding and blocked or destroyed roads, CARE began distributing food relief packages just eight days after the storm. As we continued to reach needy families with food supplied, CARE also mobilized our local partners to assist in providing survivors with shelter repair kits and initial cash transfers to support the recovery of livelihoods.