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On 8 November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) struck central Philippines, killing more than 6,200 people and displacing 14.1 million. The Category 5 typhoon, one of the strongest ever to make landfall, was devastating, with strong winds and storm surges destroying lives and livelihoods. The agricultural and fisheries sectors were severely damaged, with the Philippine Department of Agriculture reporting a loss of 1.1 million tonnes of crops and 600,000 hectares of farmland affected. Total agricultural losses were estimated at USD 724 million. FAO ensured that affected rice farmers were able to plant in time for the December/January rice planting season, providing 75 percent of the rice seed assistance required by the government. Once harvested in March/April 2014, rice production packages provided to 44,000 affected families will be enough to feed more than 800,000 people for more than a year. FAO’s emergency response, which cost about USD 5 million, is expected to produce about USD 84 million worth of rice, providing real value for money for the donor.
Fight for rice
The typhoon struck between planting seasons, severely damaging crops that were about to be harvested, already harvested and newly planted. Time was of the essence and FAO made supporting the affected farmers a top priority and responded to the Philippine Government’s direct request for assistance.
Farmers need to clear and replant their fields before the December/January planting season to ensure the first harvest of 2014. Missing this year’s harvest would mean virtually no harvest for the entire year, with devastating consequences for food security and livelihoods.
Within days of the typhoon, a Level 3 emergency response was activated across the United Nations (a first for FAO), and FAO immediately deployed a multidisciplinary team of experts to support the government’s recovery efforts.
Filling the gap
FAO filled the gap in rice seed needs reported by the government, providing 75 percent of the total rice seed needs. Overall, FAO distributed certified high-quality rice seeds to some 44,000 farmers. When harvested in March/April 2014, these seeds are expected to produce enough to feed more than 800,000 people for more than a year.
This emergency assistance, costing approximately US$5 million, is expected to generate US$84 million worth of rice by March/April 2014, providing real value for donors. Each household is given a 40 kg bag of rice seed, enough to feed a family of five for a whole year and enable them to generate vital income from surplus rice.
FAO complemented the rice seed distribution carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners with more than 80,000 bags of fertilizer and farming tools to ensure farmers have access to a complete production package.
Fully restore livelihoods
Rice farmers were not the only rural livelihoods severely affected by the typhoon. An estimated 30,000 fishing boats were damaged or destroyed, with losses affecting the entire fisheries value chain, from catching to marketing. The psychological impact of the typhoon was also severe, with mortality rates particularly high in coastal communities.
Coconut farmers have suffered devastating losses, with 33 million trees destroyed or damaged in one region alone, affecting more than a million coconut farmers. Coconut farmers are among the most land-poor and poorest in the country, with about 60% living in poverty. About 50% of the damaged coconut trees cannot be recovered and are being replanted, but it will take 6 to 8 years for these trees to fully mature and return to full production.
FAO is providing alternative livelihoods for affected coconut farmers, supporting livestock rearing activities, assisting in the restoration of upland agroforestry and ensuring full recovery of fishing communities.
FAO is committed to long-term support for fishermen and farmers affected by the typhoon in the Philippines and is implementing a large-scale support program as part of the UN Strategic Response Plan. Promoting resilience, ensuring full recovery and building back better are at the core of FAO’s support program in the Philippines. Overall, FAO aims to support the 138,000 households most affected by the disaster.
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