IOM: Coastal population faces high risks in Philippine typhoon zone

Evacuation shelters have been critically needed in some of the most vulnerable parts of the Philippines, according to a report released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday. The lack of such shelters imposes high risks for the coastal population, said the report, launched prior to typhoon season this year. Ever since typhoon Haiyan made its first landfall on Nov. 8 last year, the report pointed out that only 8 percent of buildings designated by the government as safe evacuation shelters remained standing. The report warned that the damage to evacuation centers and the consequent limited options for evacuation adds to the heightened vulnerability resulting from extreme damage to housing. Additionally, the loss of millions of trees, which previously mitigated the effects of high winds, left more people exposed. Community recovery is also being hampered by the loss of livelihoods in many sectors.