The Post-Yolanda Relocation and Climate Emergency: The Case of Tacloban North

Following the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which decimated informal settlements along Tacloban City’s coastline, the government decided to relocate thousands of families to the previously undeveloped food basket of the city, Tacloban North. This chapter presents the results of a case study undertaken three years after Super Typhoon Haiyan. Primary data were collected via 20 key informant interviews and three focus group discussions (FGDs). Relocatees maintained that the dwelling units are poorly constructed/overcrowded and lacked water and sanitation facilities. Most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) faced severe socioeconomic challenges after relocation and these have affected their lives and compromised their ability to prepare for and respond to climate emergencies. Vulnerable populations are especially susceptible to a lack of access to resources in adapting during and after disaster events, making post-disaster mitigation a climate emergency. Poor communication between the local government and the affected communities further exacerbates the latter’s situation, becoming a concerning byproduct of disasters brought about by severe climate change. This chapter asserts that encouraging stronger communication lines and incorporating the voices of affected communities in forming disaster-resilient communities can help mitigate this aspect of climate emergency.