Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability and Impact Analysis Philippines Primer

Start Network members in the Philippines have identified severe winds and flooding caused by tropical cyclones as the most impactful hazards that have hit the country. This study identifies the geographic and socio-economic extent of impacts of these hazards, the vulnerability factors and cross-sectoral issues related to tropical cyclones, and the existing community-based coping mechanisms that the humanitarian sector can leverage on.

In a short survey conducted with the members of Start Network in the Philippines, the shared experience of the network identifies severe winds and flooding caused by tropical cyclones as having the most impactful hazards that hit the country. Given the likelihood and severity of these hazards, the present study identified the following, first, the geographic and socio-economic extent of impacts of severe winds and flooding due to tropical cyclones in the Philippines; second, the vulnerability factors and cross-sectoral issues related to tropical cyclones, and third, the existing community-based coping mechanisms that the humanitarian sector can leverage on.

This research used two tiers to come up with the three components, namely impact, vulnerability, and coping mechanisms. Component one made use of Hazard Characterization and Impact documentation, and Components two and three utilized the case study method using the key informant interview (KII) technique. KIIs were conducted through online platforms and phone interviews.