UNCLASSIFIED
3d MEB Report
Philippines HADR
Date:
Serial:
12 Nov 2013
PHLHADR-0001-13
Subject: General Atmospherics for Tacloban, Republic of the
Philippines
Date of information:
Location:
11 Nov 2013
Manila, PHL.
Summary: There is widespread devastation, loss of life and
rampant looting in Tacloban //MGRS: 51P RN 211 418//, Republic
of the Philippines (PHL) as a result of Typhoon Haiyan which
struck on 09 Nov 2013.
Text: 1. Structural Devastation. Virtually every building in
sight has been destroyed by the strong winds and water surges
from the typhoon. The streets are littered with structural
debris, trees and the bodies of the deceased. The littered
roads are completely impassable to vehicles.
2. Hospital situation. All of the local hospitals in the
vicinity of Tacloban are either destroyed or closed due to a
lack of medical supplies. Hospitals are completely out of
Tetanus shots and antibiotics, two items in particularly high
demand after the typhoon. Most of the hospital staff is from
the local area and have been affected by the typhoon; resulting
in many hospital employees not showing up to work as they
attempt to take care of their own destroyed homes and search for
loved ones. To avoid the danger of electrocution, hospitals cut
their power supplies which has resulted in degraded medical
capabilities and although the hospitals have backup generators,
these generators are either under water or destroyed by the
typhoon and inoperable. Local residents are able to go to the
Tacloban Airport where they can receive limited medical care
from the Philippine Air Force.
3. Looting. There is widespread looting where people are
breaking into stores and homes as they search for food, water
and supplies for their families. Many looters have also turned
to stealing non-food items such as money out of ATM machines and
other valuables in the almost-complete absence of law
enforcement personnel. To exacerbate the issue, the local jail
released all of its prisoners in an act of mercy so they would
not drown, locked in cells that were expected to flood.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
4. Purchasing Food Items. For the stores which have not been
looted or destroyed, there is a very limited police presence
which helps control the sale of food items. Armed Philippine
National Police (PNP) help keep the peace under threat of
violence. These stores try to make sure they have food for
everyone by rationing their products, either by limiting the
amount of Philippine Pesos (PHP) that can be spent per customer
or by limiting the number of food items that can be purchased
per customer.
5. Security for Relief Workers. Multiple evacuees from
Tacloban feel that local citizens will not pose a security
threat to U.S. personnel or other relief workers. These same
evacuees feel strongly that a larger military presence in
Tacloban will help restore peace and order which will facilitate
the relief efforts. In order of importance, the Tacloban
evacuees are requesting medical supplies and an increase in
military or other security forces to help restore order and
peace.
Actions Taken:
Field Dissem:
None.
None.
UNCLASSIFIED