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On the island of Bohol, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in October 2013 displaced 350,000 people, many of whom resisted going to shelters as Haiyan approached, fearing that they might collapse in an aftershock. [...]Haiyan, the country's most destructive typhoon was Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring) of 1991, which killed over 5,000 people in the Visayas region. Some Philippine leaders and political commentators argue that the U.S. military response to the disaster has strengthened the case for an enhanced U.S. military presence in the country, an issue that the two sides have been discussing intensively during the past few months (see U.S.- Philippines Relations, below).7 Some analysts opine that the response of the United States has significantly boosted its softpower in the Philippines and the region, particularly in comparison to that of China.8 On November 10, 2013, President Obama made a statement expressing sympathy and support to the people of the Philippines.9 On November 21, the Senate expedited the confirmation of the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg, so that he could help coordinate U.S. humanitarian assistance there.
SUMMARY
This report examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on November 8, 2013, and the U.S. and international response. Haiyan was one of the strongest typhoons to strike land on record. Over a 16 hour period, the "super typhoon," with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane and sustained winds of up to 195 mph, directly swept through six provinces in the central Philippines. The disaster quickly created a humanitarian crisis. In some of the hardest hit areas, particularly in coastal communities in Leyte province and the southern tip of Eastern Samar, the storm knocked out power, telecommunications, and water supplies. The humanitarian relief operation was initially hampered by a number of significant obstacles, including a general lack of transportation, extremely limited communications systems, damaged infrastructure, and seriously disrupted government services. Despite the physical and logistical challenges, regular relief activities reportedly reached most of the worst-stricken areas within two weeks of the storm. Two and a half months after the typhoon struck, United Nations (U.N.) agencies reported that 14.1 million people had been affected, with more than 4.1 million displaced. Estimates of the number killed had risen to 6,201 with more than 1,785 missing. The number of injured was unknown. In addition, assessments revealed that an estimated 1.1 million houses had been damaged or destroyed and nearly 5.6 million people required food assistance.
Ongoing humanitarian relief operations and recovery efforts are being led by the Philippine government. The United Nations, along with other partners, including the United States, remains at the forefront of the on-the-ground response. Apart from U.N. agencies, those responding to the crisis include international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Private Voluntary Agencies (PVOs), and bilateral and multilateral donors. As of January 31, 2014, international donors have contributed a total of $662.9 million to the relief efforts. U.S. assistance has included approximately $87 million in disaster aid and $59 million in private sector contributions, a massive U.S. military humanitarian effort, as well as diplomatic and legislative activity.
At its peak, 66 U.S. military aircraftand 12 naval vessels were involved in relief efforts and nearly 1,000 U.S. military personnel were deployed directly to the disaster areas. The USS George Washington naval task force as well as elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa formed the majority of Joint Task Force (JTF) 505, which coordinated and carried out U.S. military relief efforts (Operation Damayan) in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine government. U.S. military assistance included clearing roads, transporting aid workers, distributing 2,495 tons of relief supplies, and evacuating over 21,000 people.
More than two months after the storm, humanitarian assistance is still required in some affected areas, particularly food, clean water, shelter, and basic health care. The Philippine government launched an $8.2 billion, four-year plan, Reconstruction Assistance in Yolanda (RAY), which focuses on rebuilding areas affected by the typhoon and developing resilience to natural disasters. The U.N. Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), in partnership with U.N. organizations and non-governmental and international organizations, designed a Strategic Response Plan (SRP) to support the Philippines government's activities in meeting immediate humanitarian needs and reconstruction goals.
The United States and the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), a security alliance, and common strategic and economic interests. Other pillars of the bilateral relationship include shared democratic values and extensive people-topeople contacts. The involvement of U.S. military forces in Haiyan relief efforts bolstered support for enhanced U.S.-Philippine military cooperation, an issue that the two sides have been discussing intensively during the past several months. Congressional concerns related to the storm and its aftermath include the short-term U.S. and international humanitarian response, the long-term U.S. foreign aid strategy for the Philippines, and how the U.S. response to the disaster may impact the U.S.-Philippines relationship as well as regional geopolitical dynamics.
This report will be updated as events warrant. For background and information on the Philippines, see CRS Report RL33233, The Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests. For background on how the U.S. responds to international disasters, see CRS Report RL33769, International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms.
TYPHOON HAIYAN AND ITS AFTERMATH
In the early morning of Friday, November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Yolanda), one of the strongest typhoons to strike land on record, slammed into the central Visayas region. Over a 16 hour period, the super typhoon or cyclone, with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane and clouds that covered two-thirds of the country, directly swept through six Philippine provinces and affected over 10% of the nation's population of 105 million people.1 Haiyan's estimated wind speeds were 195 mph at its peak and 155 mph as it weakened and moved west, with wind gusts of up to 235 mph.2 Several hundred thousand people reportedly had fled their homes in advance of Haiyan's arrival. Many of those displaced were moved to evacuation centers.3 (See Figure 1 and Figure 2.)
The speed of the storm as well as advance warning prevented greater flooding and may have saved many lives. However, in some of the hardest hit areas, particularly in coastal communities in eastern and western Leyte province and the southern tip of Eastern Samar, there appears to have been little defense against Haiyan's wrath. Between two-thirds and 90% of structures were heavily damaged or destroyed, including medical facilities. Downed trees and other debris blocked roads. Airports, vital links to the rest of the archipelagic country, were damaged. Furthermore, decentralized government authority, a shortage of available government workers, looting, and heavy rains delayed some relief efforts.
The typhoon was the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded in the Philippines. Within a few days of the typhoon, the Philippine government reported that an estimated 11.5 million people had been affected by the storm, with more than 540,000 displaced (of which roughly 380,000 were staying in 1,215 evacuation centers and 162,000 outside the centers). The government also reported that 792,000 people were evacuated in advance of the disaster. The city of Tacloban (population 220,000), capital of Leyte province, was one of the hardest hit places and the scene of the most concentrated destruction and death. Thousands of Tacloban residents reportedly drowned in a -two-storyhigh" storm surge, including people seeking safety in a sports stadium that served as a shelter.5 Many others were killed by flying debris. (See Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5.)
The estimated number of dead and missing is often fluid and subject to change in the days, weeks, and months following a natural disaster, particularly one on the scale of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Two and a half months after the typhoon struck, based on figures provided by the Philippine government, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 14.1 million people had been affected, with more than 4.1 million displaced (as of mid-January 2014, 26,000 were staying in evacuation centers). Estimates of the number killed had risen to 6,201 with more than 1,785 missing. The number of injured was unknown. In addition, assessments revealed that nearly 5.6 million people required food assistance and an estimated 1.1 million houses had been damaged or destroyed.6 All numbers remain subject to revision.
Steady population increases in disaster-prone areas, combined with a geography consisting of islands and poor infrastructure, makes the Philippines vulnerable to humanitarian crises. An average of 20 major storms batter the country each year. In 2012, Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) struck the southern island of Mindanao, leaving nearly 2,000 people dead or missing. On the island of Bohol, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in October 2013 displaced 350,000 people, many of whom resisted going to shelters as Haiyan approached, fearing that they might collapse in an aftershock. Until Haiyan, the country's most destructive typhoon was Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring) of 1991, which killed over 5,000 people in the Visayas region.
U.S. Government Response
According to many observers, U.S. support to the Philippines following the typhoon, including disaster assistance, expressions of sympathy, and a flurry of diplomatic activity, has bolstered the already strong bilateral relationship. Some Philippine leaders and political commentators argue that the U.S. military response to the disaster has strengthened the case for an enhanced U.S. military presence in the country, an issue that the two sides have been discussing intensively during the past few months (see U.S.- Philippines Relations, below).7 Some analysts opine that the response of the United States has significantly boosted its softpower in the Philippines and the region, particularly in comparison to that of China.8
On November 10, 2013, President Obama made a statement expressing sympathy and support to the people of the Philippines.9 On November 21, the Senate expedited the confirmation of the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg, so that he could help coordinate U.S. humanitarian assistance there. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travelled to the Philippines on December 17, 2013, where he met with President Benigno Aquino and visited the city of Tacloban. He announced $40 million in military assistance and $25 million in additional humanitarian aid (on top of roughly $60 million in disaster assistance already provided). Kerry had cancelled a trip to Manila in October 2013 due to tropical storm Nari.10
Members of Congress were among the first U.S. government officials to offer support. Representative Chris Smith led a congressional delegation to Leyte province on November 25, 2013.11 On November 19, the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a hearing entitled "Assessing the Response to Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.. The Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs conducted a hearing on the U.S. response on December 3. Members circulated "Dear Colleague. letters including those calling for assistance to remote areas affected by the disaster and protection for vulnerable Filipina women and children. U.S. legislators also sponsored resolutions expressing condolences, supporting assistance and charitable donations to the people of the Philippines, and urging the U.S. government to grant Temporary Protected Status to eligible Philippine nationals, which would allow them to stay and work in the United States and thereby support their families in storm-affected areas (see Textbox).
OVERALL STATUS OF THE RELIEF AND RECOVERY EFFORT
In general, experts divide relief operations into several phases: search and rescue; treatment and survival; relocation and rehabilitation; early recovery; and long-term reconstruction. As with any significant natural disaster that has many moving parts, it can take days and sometimes weeks to get a relief effort underway. Delays in transportation and congestion, lack of transportation infrastructure, bureaucratic problems, and lack of access all can cause bottlenecks at key points in the system. While timing is critical to save lives, a relief effort of this size requires the coordination of assessments and appropriate responses with the government, local communities, and the international community to function efficiently.
The humanitarian relief operation, led by the Philippine government, was initially hampered by a number of significant challenges, not unusual in a disaster of this magnitude, including a general lack of transportation, extremely limited communications systems, and damaged infrastructure. Although aid personnel and humanitarian supplies arrived within days in many of the affected areas, there were challenges getting food and relief commodities to some of the more remote locations. Despite the physical and logistical challenges facing the relief effort, regular relief activities reportedly reached most of the worst-stricken areas within two weeks of the storm. Indepth assessments, necessary to obtain a better understanding of the situation on the ground, were conducted and are ongoing. Overall aid delivery to affected areas has been mobilized and sustained.
By mid-December, a little more than one month after the typhoon struck, immediate, life-saving efforts in general began to shiftmore towards early recovery programming and the development of plans for longer-term recovery and reconstruction. However, affected areas were impacted by the heavy rains and strong winds associated with Tropical Depression Agaton from January 17- 20, 2014. The impact of the storm exposed ongoing vulnerabilities of those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
The Philippine government plans and administers disaster relief primarily through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Other agencies involved in relief efforts include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense, and the Department of Health. The NDRRMC oversees activities along with Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (LDRRMCs), the DSWD, DSWD field offices, local governments, and other agencies. The DSWD and its field offices coordinate relief efforts on the ground. The NDRRMC also collaborates with private sector disaster management networks. The Department of Foreign Affairs serves as the first point of contact for countries and international organizations wishing to provide assistance.
Taking the lead on the disaster response, the Philippine government formed a high-level national taskforce to ensure fast track transition from relief efforts to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of affected areas. President Aquino appointed Senator Ping Lacson as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, a cabinet-level position. In response to widespread fears about government corruption, the Aquino administration launched a web portal that allows the public to track international disaster funds, the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAITH).
The Philippine government launched a four-year Reconstruction Assistance in Yolanda (RAY) plan, on December 18, 2013. Requesting nearly $8.2 billion, RAY focuses on rebuilding areas affected by the typhoon and developing resilience to natural disasters. Three main activities include: $780 million for critical actions focused on shelter, education, agriculture, livelihoods and protection; $2 billion for short-term interventions through 2014; and $5.3 billion to address longer-term needs through 2017.
The government has launched an effort to provide temporary housing. 469 "bunkhouses. have been built or planned so far.for people living in tent cities, particularly for those who formerly lived closed to the sea and are not allowed to return due to the risk of future storm surges. Each bunkhouse consists of 24 rooms (one room per family) and common kitchen and bath areas. The homes lack electricity and running water. International aid agencies have criticized them for not meeting international standards. In January 2014, the government announced that it would build 60,000 permanent housing units over a two-year period.12
U.S. HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS 13
On November 9, 2013, U.S. Charge deAffaires Brian L. Goldbeck issued a disaster declaration, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), immediately authorized funds to be released for the initial implementation of an emergency response program. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel directed the U.S. Pacific Command to deploy rescue teams, dispatch helicopters for airlifts, and conduct other relief efforts. As of January 31, 2014, the United States has provided over $87 million in humanitarian assistance through USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense (DOD), and $59 million in private sector contributions.14
USAID
The U.S. government immediately set up an interagency task force to coordinate and facilitate the humanitarian response to the typhoon in the Philippines through the Washington, DC-based Response Management Team (RMT) headed by USAID through OFDA. It also deployed Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs). The RMT supports USAID/DART efforts, which are focused on assessing humanitarian needs, positioning emergency relief supplies, and coordinating assistance with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, the Philippine government, and the international community. On December 18, 2013, the DARTs transitioned to a field office as the emergency phase of the response began to shiftto early recovery. OFDA will maintain an ongoing presence in the Philippines for now to coordinate ongoing humanitarian activities.
State Department
The State Department set up a Crisis Response Task Force to help monitor developments, facilitate coordination with other agencies as needed, and respond to inquiries from concerned Americans. The U.S. Embassy in Manila provided a center for coordination and communication among other U.S. agencies, Philippine authorities, and private organizations and citizens. U.S.- based NGOs have played an active role in the relief and recovery effort.
Department of Defense15
DOD's initial response to Typhoon Haiyan was greatly facilitated by the advanced warning of the storm as well as naval, air, and Marine Corps assets either visiting or stationed in mainland Japan and the Japanese island of Okinawa. The USS George Washington naval task force as well as elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Okinawa formed the majority of Joint Task Force (JTF) 505, which was formed to conduct initial relief operations, dubbed Operation Damayan. Nearly 1,000 U.S. military personnel were deployed directly to the disaster area while the rest served on ships or provided support from bases around the world.
U.S. military aircraftprovided reconnaissance of the affected areas, lifted aid workers into the disaster zones, transported relief supplies, and evacuated those affected by the typhoon to various locations in the Philippines. Marines who were deployed ashore assisted with road clearance and with the distribution of humanitarian assistance. Once ground routes were improved, about 90% of relief supplies were then relegated to truck transportation. The Marines concentrated their efforts in the Guiuan, Eastern Samar, area which was the hub for supply transport and focused their remaining efforts south of Tacloban in the Leyte Gulf area. On November 24, 2013, DOD officials announced it would begin to transition all of its relief efforts to the Philippine government and that JTF 505 would stand down on December 1, 2013.16 The U.S. Embassy in Manila announced JTF 505's December 1st disestablishment, noting that at its peak, U.S. military efforts included more than 13,400 military personnel, 66 aircraftand 12 naval vessels. The U.S. military delivered more than 2,495 tons of relief supplies and evacuated over 21,000 people, including over 500 American citizens. Also, over 1,300 flights were completed in support of the relief efforts for Operation Damayan delivering to approximately 450 sites. 17
In addition to the United States, roughly 20 other nations and multilateral organizations, including Australia, Japan, NATO, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, contributed military assistance. This aid involved the use of military ships, transport planes, and helicopters. International military personnel provided disaster relief and helped distribute medical supplies, drinking water and food. China, which had been criticized for providing too little assistance and being slow to respond, sent a naval hospital ship, the Peace Ark, to the Philippines on November 21.
Department of Homeland Security18
Provisions exist in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to offer temporary protected status (TPS) or relief from removal under specified circumstances.19 TPS is blanket relief that may be granted under the following conditions: there is ongoing armed conflict posing serious threat to personal safety; a foreign state requests TPS because it temporarily cannot handle the return of nationals due to environmental disaster; or there are extraordinary and temporary conditions in a foreign state that prevent aliens from returning, provided that granting TPS is consistent with U.S. national interests.20 A foreign national who is granted TPS receives a registration document and an employment authorization for the duration of TPS. Within a few days of the typhoon, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a limited set of immigration relief measures that Filipinos impacted by the typhoon might be eligible for, but did not grant TPS.21 The government of the Philippines formally requested on December 16, 2013, that President Barack Obama designate TPS for Filipinos in the United States.22 Legislation that would grant TPS to Filipinos (H.R. 3602, the Filipino Temporary Protected Status Act of 2013) has been introduced in the 113th Congress.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
International Humanitarian Operations23
The international community typically provides significant humanitarian assistance in response to major disasters and their ongoing impact. Following Typhoon Haiyan, at the request of the Philippine government and in a supporting role, the United Nations established Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) teams. With the U.N. Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) already in place, OCHA is helping to coordinate actors on the ground and enlist donor support. Humanitarian relief sectors are typically established during humanitarian crises to enable the United Nations to coordinate partners, prioritize resources, and facilitate planning. In the Philippines, as with other disasters, response activities were organized into 12 relief sectors or -clusters" led by various agencies. The clusters currently include Camp Coordination and Camp Management; Coordination; Early Recovery and Livelihoods; Education; Emergency Shelter; Emergency Telecommunications; Food Security and Agriculture; Health; Logistics; Nutrition; Protection; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
The United Nations, along with other partners, including the United States, has a strong relationship with the Philippines, and remains at the forefront of the current on-the-ground response for humanitarian assistance and early recovery. International recovery efforts are typically complex because they require coordination among numerous actors and international entities. In the current crisis, apart from U.N. agencies, those responding to humanitarian crises include international organizations, NGOs, Private Voluntary Agencies (PVOs), and bilateral and multilateral donors.
Strategic Response Plan
More than two months after the storm, humanitarian assistance is still required in some affected areas, particularly food, clean water, shelter, and basic health care. The HCT, in partnership with 14 U.N. organizations and 39 non-governmental and international organizations, designed a Strategic Response Plan (SRP) to support the government's activities in meeting immediate humanitarian needs, complement its reconstruction plan, and fill gaps identified by the government or through interagency assessments. The SRP covers 171 municipalities in 14 provinces and 4 regions, where it is estimated that over 14 million people were affected by the typhoon. The overall humanitarian and early recovery priorities and objectives identified by the HCT are listed below, but the implementation of the projects is expected be guided by location and caseload.
* Meeting basic food needs and nutritional requirements through community-based services and building food security through stimulation of markets and production. Activities include providing food assistance, nutritional support, and agricultural inputs for farmers.
* Attaining protective and sustainable shelter solutions for those families who were displaced or have homes that were destroyed or damaged. Shelter needs remain urgent and vary greatly by location. Activities include providing populations with shelter material, tools, cash for work, technical training, and site management in evacuation centers. Most of those displaced are in transitional shelters, such as bunkhouses or tarpaulins, or they have received shelter kits to rebuild their homes.
* Regaining self sufficiency of livelihoods in urban and rural areas through restoration of local economies, agriculture and fisheries. Recovery of livelihoods is critical to enable people to rebuild their homes and their lives.
* Sustaining access to water, sanitation, hygiene and the ongoing provision of health care in affected areas and evacuation centers. Activities include a focus on surveillance and early warning to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases. Activities also include restoring water systems and access to sanitation facilities in communities, schools and health care facilities.
* Establishing access to community and local government services, particularly for basic education in temporary learning spaces, social welfare, community support and a protective environment.
* Removing and recycling debris from public spaces for use in reconstruction and to improve access to homes.
* Undertaking these objectives with a view to enhancing resilience and preparedness for future disasters.
The SRP covers 12 months from the date of the disaster. The plan targets up to three million people under any one relief cluster. The government has identified three consecutive phases of the response: (1) critical humanitarian needs (to June 2014); (2) short-term investments (July to December 2014); and (3) medium-term, longer-term investments (January 2015-December 2017). The SRP covers the response through the first two phases. A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment is planned starting in early 2014 which will help inform the way forward on phases 2 and 3. It is expected that the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and European Union will work with the government in support of its plans. In addition, other selected ongoing activities include:
* The U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a plan for national authorities and humanitarian partners to provide assistance and protection support to more than 3 million women and girls affected by the disaster. The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and others are focused on identification, documentation, tracing, and reunification for unaccompanied and separated children. Trafficking among vulnerable populations has also been raised as a concern.
* An estimated 35,000 people have requested help from the Philippine Red Cross in tracing family members who are thought to have gone missing in connection with the typhoon.
* The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is supporting the Philippine Red Cross in its emergency humanitarian response, is also working with the Philippine authorities on the proper management of the dead.
International Humanitarian Funding
A number of international actors are providing relief to the Philippines, either through financial contributions to the government or aid organizations or by directly providing relief supplies and emergency personnel. On November 12, 2013, the HCT appealed for $301 million in the Haiyan Action Plan to provide life-saving assistance and early recovery support for a sixmonth period. On November 22, this plan increased to $348 million, based on assessments completed as partners gained better access to affected areas. Launched on December 27, 2013, the Strategic Response Plan (described above) replaces these earlier appeals and requests $788 million. Additional pledges and contributions have also been made outside the appeal. A number of countries, including the U.S. government, have provided assistance in the form of direct contributions of items such as food and tents, or through the operation of relief flights and logistics support. As of January 31, 2014, $662.9 million has been contributed to the overall Typhoon Haiyan response, and of that amount, $356.1 million has been contributed to the SRP. As of January 31, 2014, the U.N.'s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has made available approximately $25.3 million to the Plan.24
U.S.-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS 25
The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), a security alliance, extensive military cooperation, and common strategic and economic interests. Other pillars of the bilateral bond include shared democratic values and people-to-people contacts. Filipino Americans number approximately 4 million, making them the second-largest Asian American population, and comprise the largest foreign-born group in the U.S. Armed Forces. An estimated 150,000 Americans live in the Philippines.
U.S Military Presence in the Philippines
U.S. military forces are involved in several regular joint exercises and ongoing military missions in the Philippines. The two major ones are the Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder) exercises and the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) counterterrorism assistance, which involves a U.S. rotating presence on Mindanao Island and the Sulu archipelago. Both of these programs include large humanitarian components. Other annual joint exercises include the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) naval event and the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX). In addition, U.S. warships have made frequent port calls in the Philippines in the past year. DOD officials stated that the U.S. military had a -small footprint" of people and equipment in the Philippines at the time of Typhoon Haiyan. No injuries or damage to them were reported.26 Currently, there are about 500 U.S. military personnel from JSOTF-P conducting counterterrorism training for selected units of the Philippine military.27 Some members of JSOTFP supported Operation Damayan in Ormoc City, Leyte province. The involvement of U.S. military forces in relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan comes at a time of growing U.S.-Philippine security cooperation. The bilateral security relationship has gained prominence as a key link in the U.S. foreign policy "pivot. or "rebalancing. toward Asia. Since 2012, U.S. and Philippine officials have discussed increasing U.S. ship and aircraftaccess to Philippine military facilities, particularly at Subic Bay, site of the former U.S. naval base, and bolstering U.S. military facilities and forces in the country on a rotational or non-permanent basis. Since August 2013, the two sides have been negotiating a framework agreement for the increased U.S. military presence.
U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Philippines
The Philippines, regarded by Washington as a partner in maintaining regional security, is one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in Southeast Asia. U.S. assistance has focused upon poverty reduction, broadbased economic growth, and, increasingly, external security concerns. In the past decade, over half of U.S. assistance to the country supported development programs in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, where there has been a sustained Muslim insurgency, with the aim of reducing the attractiveness of radical or extremist ideologies and activities.28
For FY2014, the Obama Administration requested raising Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines by 75%, to $50 million. (See Table 1.) In 2010, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) approved a five-year, $434 million compact with the Philippine government that focused on poverty reduction, transportation, and the modernization of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
POSSIBLE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN 29
The Philippines is a lower middle income country with an estimated population of 105 million- Southeast Asia's second largest. Once one of the wealthiest nations in Southeast Asia, it had been considered one of the region's economic laggards since the 1970s, due in large part to widespread corruption and poor governance. However, in the past three years, the Philippines had emerged as one of Asia's strongest economies. The 7.6% GDP growth rate it posted in 2010 was the country's fastest annual growth rate in 30 years. The Philippines' overall growth represents a strong resurgence for a country that had been a recipient of IMF loans beginning in 1983, due to fiscal crises in the 1980s and the economic vulnerabilities exposed by the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s. Many Philippine observers felt it was symbolically important that the country became an IMF creditor in 2012, contributing to multilateral loans to Europe. Analysts note that the Philippines, like many Southeast Asian nations, has benefitted from substantial investment inflows over the past three years, but this raises the risks that the trend could reverse, with private capital outflows possibly arising from the typhoon or for other reasons, such as the possible tightening of U.S. monetary policy in the coming years. The areas damaged by Haiyan are some of the poorest parts of the Philippines, many of them dominated by agricultural and fishing industries, with some tourist destinations also severely harmed by the storm. Damage to other crops, such as sugar cane, coconut, and pineapple, are likely to have considerable impacts on livelihoods in the Visayas region. The Philippine government has sought temporary trade arrangements with export markets such as the United States that would allow duty-free access for a limited number of products coming from affected areas. According to some analysts, GDP growth is expected to continue to be strong despite the costs of Typhoon Haiyan, estimated at $13 billion. The Philippines' economy is forecast to expand by 6.7% in 2014, slightly less than the estimated 6.9% growth of 2013.30 Because the region affected by the storm is one of the country's least developed, impacts on the Philippines' manufacturing base and overall GDP may not be deep. Economists also note that once reconstruction efforts begin, construction spending is likely to spur growth. Furthermore, the storm's drag on the economy may be only slightly greater than the effects of other natural disasters in recent years.31 Many observers have been surprised the economy has fared so well. Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisikan reportedly called the performance -a remarkable turnaround."32 Nonetheless, although the affected areas are not the country's largest sources of rice, the damage to rice crops in the region may reverse the Philippines' trend in recent years towards rice self-sufficiency, and rice imports are likely to rise. One important issue for the Philippine economic recovery in the months and years ahead will be whether decentralized governance and corruption limits the efficiency of stimulus efforts. The Philippine central government's relative lack of control over decisions by regional governments has been one of the chief obstacles to Philippine economic development for decades, many observers say. While the World Bank rated the Philippines one of the world's 10 most improved business environments in an October 2013 survey, the strains arising from the typhoon's damage will be a test of whether the central government can effectively implement economic stimulus without running into the issues of corruption or poor local governance.
LOOKING AHEAD: POLICY ISSUES
The impact of Typhoon Haiyan is of significant interest to the United States. As the extent of the disaster becomes clearer, other issues may emerge for Congress as it considers the ongoing U.S. response. These fall into several possible categories:
* The initial humanitarian relief period: Congressional interest and support is likely to focus on the humanitarian impact of the disaster, the U.S. and international response, and ongoing humanitarian developments.
* Ongoing oversight: Congress may exercise its oversight authority in the ongoing provision of U.S. humanitarian assistance. It may consider how USAID and DOD responses to the Haiyan disaster mesh with overall and existing U.S. foreign aid programs, contributions by other governments, and overall global humanitarian priorities.
* Longer-term assistance strategy: Given the extensive damage to the central Philippines' economy and infrastructure, Congress may consider broad, longterm U.S. assistance strategies in the Philippines, including policies to boost Philippine exports from storm-affected areas. Lessons learned from the response to the Philippines typhoon may influence future U.S. global disaster assistance strategies and the provision of food aid.
* Strategic questions: Congress may consider how the U.S. disaster response may impact the U.S.-Philippines relationship as well as regional geopolitical dynamics, and how existing and ongoing U.S. military activities in the Philippines may be affected by DOD's role in disaster relief.
* This is an edited, reformatted and augmented version of a Congressional Research Service publication, No. R43309, dated February 10, 2014.
End Notes
1 The tropical storm made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar Province; Tolosa, Leyte Province; Daanbantayan and Bantayan Island, Cebu Province; Concepcion, Iloilo Province (Panay Island); and Palawan Island.
2 By contrast, Hurricane Katrina had wind speeds of 140 mph at landfall.
3 Rick Gladstone, "Top U.N. Relief Official Flies to Philippines to Help Coordinate Aid Efforts,. New York Times, November 11, 2013.
4 Max Fisher, "47 Statistics That Explain Typhoon Haiyan,. Washington Post, November 12, 2013; Sunshine de Leon and Alexandra Zavis, "Philippines Typhoon Leaves Millions in Need of Food, Water, Shelter,. Los Angeles Times, November 11, 2013.
5 Keith Bradshear, "Struggle for Survival in Philippines City Shattered by Typhoon,. New York Times, November 11, 2013.
6 USAID, Philippines.Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, Fact Sheet #19, Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, December 13, 2013.
7 Babe Romualdez, "Babees Eye View: Thank God for the United States!. The Philippines Star, November 17, 2013; Tarra Quismundo, "Storm Showed We Need US-Del Rosario,. Philippines Daily Inquirer, November 26, 2013.
8 China donated $1.6 million in relief and sent a hospital ship, the Peace Ark, to the Leyte Gulf. China and the Philippines are engaged in an ongoing dispute over maritime territory.
9 President Obama on Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english /texttrans/2013/11/ 20131110286218.html#axzz2sHzfcOGU
10 Marvin Sy, "Kerry to Visit Phl Next Month,. Philippine Star, October 21, 2013. President Obama cancelled a trip to Southeast Asia in October 2013 due to the partial U.S. government shutdown. Obamaes travel was to include the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Indonesia, the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Brunei, as well as Malaysia and the Philippines.
11 The delegation also included Representatives Trent Franks and Al Green.
12 "60,000 Houses for Yolanda Survivors,. Manila Bulletin, January 16, 2014; "In Typhoon- Slammed Philippines, Controversy over Unsanitary Housing, Christian Science Monitor, January 13, 2014; Chico, Harlan, "After Typhoon, Philippines Faces One of the Most Profound Resettlement Crises in Decades,. Washington Post, January 4, 2014; "DPWH to Build 247 More Bunkhouses in Eastern Visayas,. Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 17, 2014.
13 For background information on overall U.S. humanitarian assistance, see CRS Report RL33769, International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms, by Rhoda Margesson.
14 USAID, Philippines.Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, Fact Sheet #20, Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, January 24, 2014; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, http://ccc.uschamber.com /typhoon-haiyan. Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola plan to help more than 2,000 small stores rebuild, restock, and reopen in storm-affected areas. Josephine Cuneta, "Philippines Storm Damage Nears $13 Billion . Government Details Rebuilding Costs as U.S. Offers More Aid,. Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2013.
15 Contributed by Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces, Congressional Research Service.
16 Information in this section was taken from "DOD Transitions to Next Phase of Aid in Philippines,. American Forces Press Service, November 25, 2013.
17 U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines, Press Release "JTF 505 Disestablished,. December 1, 2013.
18 Contributed by Ruth Ellen Wasem, Specialist in Immigration Policy, Domestic Social Policy Division.
19 CRS Report RS20844, Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues, by Ruth Ellen Wasem and Karma Ester.
20 Section 244 of INA (8 U.S.C. 1254a).
21 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "USCIS Reminds Filipino Nationals Impacted by Typhoon Haiyan of Available Immigration Relief Measures,. press release, November 15, 2013, http://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscisreminds-filipino-nationals-impacted-typhoonhaiyan- available-immigration-relief-measures.
22 Embassy of the Philippines, Washington DC, "PH Seeks Additional Immigration Relief for Pinoys in US,. press release, December 16, 2013, http://www.philippineembassyusa. org/news/3774/300/PH-SEEKS-ADDITIONALIMMIGRATION-RELIEF-FORPINOYS- IN-US/d,phildet/.
23 Information drawn from various reports available at http://www.reliefweb.int and news articles. See also, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Philippines: Typhoon- Haiyan, Situation Report No. 33 (as of 20 January 2014); Philippines Humanitarian Country Team, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): Strategic Response Plan, December 27, 2013. USAID, Philippines.Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, Fact Sheet #19, Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, December 31, 2013; and USAID, Philippines.Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, Fact Sheet #20, Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, January 24, 2014.
24 See U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Philippines: Typhoon-Haiyan, Situation Report No. 33 (as of 20 January 2014).
25 For background information, see CRS Report RL33233, The Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests, by Thomas Lum.
26 Karen Parrish, "DOD Ready to Assist as Philippines Face Monster Strom,. American Forces Press Service, November 8, 2013.
27 "The Army as of October 31,. Army Times, November 11, 2013, p. 5.
28 In 2012, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an armed Islamic separatist group, reached a settlement on the creation of an autonomous region for Muslims in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
29 Contributed by Ben Dolven, Specialist in Asian Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Divison.
30 Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Report: Philippines, January 23, 2014.
31 Some experts argue that Haiyan reduced GDP growth by an estimated 1%, while typhoons typically decrease growth by 0.8% annually in the Philippines. "Philippines Economy on Track, Despite Human Cost of Typhoon Haiyan,. Reuters, November 12, 2013.
32 "Typhoon Haiyan Hits Philippine Growth in Fourth Quarter,. Financial Times, January 30, 2014.
33 Contributed by Susan Chesser, Information Research Specialist, Knowledge Services Group, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division.
34 Contributed by Susan Chesser, Information Research Specialist, Knowledge Services Group, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division.
35 Contributed by Susan Chesser, Information Research Specialist, Knowledge Services Group, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division.
36 Information in this section is drawn from CRS Report RL33769, International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms, by Rhoda Margesson.
37 Contributed by Sarah A. Lister, Specialist in Public Health and Epidemiology, Domestic Social Policy Division. Information in this section is drawn from PAHO, WHO, and ICRC, Management of Dead Bodies After Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders, Morgan, Oliver, ed., Washington, DC, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as Field Manual), http://www.paho.org/disasters/, under "Response Guidelines.; and Morgan, Oliver W. et al., "Mass Fatality Management Following the South Asian Tsunami Disaster,. PLOS Medicine, vol. 3, no. 6 (June 2006), pp. 809-815, http://www.plosmedicine.org.
38 Persons who directly handle human remains may be at risk of contracting certain infections such as HIV and hepatitis, and should take appropriate preventive measures. Management of fatalities that result from epidemics of infectious disease may require additional measures to protect the public. See PAHO, "Risk of Dead Bodies Associated with an Epidemic," undated, http://www.paho.org/disasters/, under "Response Guidelines."
39 Field Manual, p. 5.
(ProQuest: Appendix omitted.)
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