Learning from Tacloban, Philippines, 2016
An interdisciplinary workshop reflecting on the reconstruction process after Typhoon Yolanda to improve future disaster recovery efforts.
On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan devastated the central region of the Philippines, killing thousands and displacing over four million people. In Tacloban alone, nearly 30,000 houses were destroyed. In response, Tacloban embarked on a massive rebuilding project, resettling thousands of families from high-risk coastal areas. From November 18–20, 2015, the Learning from Tacloban workshop was held to bring together experts from local and national governments, NGOs, the private sector, and development practitioners. Over three days, participants with firsthand experience in reconstruction reflected on the processes to date, aiming to apply findings to ongoing recovery efforts. Sessions included site visits, presentations and discussions on strategies for relocating the city, engaging communities in the resettlement process, and the role of the private sector. Recognizing that such calamities are likely to occur with increasing frequency, the workshop embodied an interdisciplinary approach essential for addressing the complex challenges of post-disaster reconstruction.
