Philippines+Climate+Adaptation+Plan

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html
-about climate terrain etc.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48936
-soup kitchen helping farmers whose crops are destroyed

**http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/countries/philippines/template/index.html**
-storms that happened and dates/how US has been helping

Travis Imboden Emily Harpold Nicole Gibble Victoria Smith
 * Group 3

Philippine Devastation

The Philippines is a tropical third world country; so by that simple description, it is underdeveloped and is financially and politically in a poor state (Lawson 44.). They are, as of now, an independent country and run similar to the U.S., however, have traces of dictatorships and communistic traits. They have been focusing a lot of their time, efforts, and money on rebuilding destroyed areas due to volcanic activity. This, however, leaves very little room for the rebuilding of farming villages that were destroyed due to flooding.

Farming runs most of the economy. Farming is their main source of income as well as tourism (Lawson 52.). This can become a major problem. Because of the increase in flood disasters, the large amount of farms is greatly impacted. For instance, when Typhoon Ketsana hit these peaceful islands, it was absolutely devastating. The average rainfall they typically receive in a month was poured on them in 24 hours. This is the worst, most severe flooding they have had in over 40 years (Nguyen.). Even the economic conditions of farms contribute to the destruction of storms. Since farms are economically depleted, farmer’s homes are typically thatched huts in the middle of fields (Lawson 54.). These fields are extremely flat and since they're on an island, often below sea level. Therefore, when a storm rolls in, fields as well as homes are swept away or covered completely with water. With the progression of global warming, a proven cycle of the Earth comes climate and severe weather change. And for the Philippines, this means they won't have as many storms a year, but the storms they do have will be much more extreme and cause a lot more damage( Fewer but More...). As one can easily gather, this greatly impacts the country and most of the Filipinos lively hood. One severe storm a summer could ruin the entire lives of thousands of people in this distressed country. It is evident that something needs to be done; our job is to figure out how.

A plan for the relief and rehabilitation of the Philippine Islands amidst the devastation caused by the storms includes building levees, constructing trenches to redirect water, placing buoys in the ocean, and building stronger structures with better foundations. This plan would require money and supplies. The Philippine government is not currently stable enough nor do they have enough money to provide the necessities for this plan. Therefore, industrialized countries such as the United States and China would be a vital part in administering the regeneration of the Philippine country. Because of the wealth and prosperity of industrialized countries, it is the responsibility and the duty of the citizens of these advanced countries to assist those who are less fortunate.

The people living in the Philippines do not receive help from their government. They get little assistance and the help they do receive is from people outside the country. They get most of their help from missionaries. They have received help from the Bureau For Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and the Office Of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). They have provided them with hygiene kits, bars of soap, and 10-liter collapsible water containers. They have deployed medical teams, transported food, blankets, kitchen sets, and vitamins (US Aid).

The first part of our plan, levees, would be very beneficial for protecting the Philippine island from typhoons and hurricanes. Levees are defined by dictionary.com as “an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river”. The Philippines need these levees along rivers and shorelines. These levees would aid in the cessation of the water during the horrific storms and hurricanes. The levees would barricade the water when rivers’ and oceans’ water level rise. When strong hurricanes and typhoons transpire, they can do devastating damage if water rushes on land. The levees would thwart the movement of water onto land thus preventing widespread destruction. Levees have been known to more than pay for themselves when looking at the amount of money saved from its protection from damage. (“Levee Statistics show…)

Second, irrigation systems would significantly improve the poverty-stricken lives of the Filipinos. To be able to raise crops, the appropriate amount of water needs to be applied to a plant. In the case of the Philippine islands, too much water caused by flooding is halting the growth and opulence of crops thus creating a food deficit. When plants acquire too much water, new leaves will no longer sprout. The preexisting leaves will convert into withered and undesirable waste. Algae will cover the plant and rotting and decomposition will deteriorate the stem. (“Plant Distress Signals”) Also, due to the lack of oxygen caused by a plethora of water, rotting will transform the roots into a mushy substance. The growth of a plant cannot occur unless the roots are in a healthy state. (Armstrong, Shari) The excess water needs to be ousted from the fields and transported to a stream, lake, or other water source in order for plants to prosper and the irrigation system would do just that. Trenches and piping would be utilized effectively in order to redirect the flood water. Because the Philippines are mainly a farming country, irrigation would have a huge impact on the amount of crops produced. The storms in the Philippines would no longer be as big as a threat to the lives of the Philippine people.

The third step to the plan would be positioning buoys in the ocean that could monitor and transmit information to someone about how voluminous a hurricane is predicted to be. The person receiving this information can then warn people in this hapless situation of the approaching hurricane. These people can than take the imperative precautions for obviating extirpation thus reducing costs for reconstruction and lowering the amount of buildings the storm demolishes.

Stronger building with better foundation is the last step to the rehabilitation plan for the Philippine islands. Most people in the Philippines reside in paltry huts. When storms materialize, these huts are washed away leaving many homeless and left to rebuild their house. If stronger foundations and houses were built, the storms would not be capable of wiping away the huts. The foundation of a house is the most essential part of the house. The huts in the Philippines do not even have a foundation most times other than the dirty ground. (Building House Foundation…) It would not be feasible to build a strong house for every family in the Philippines but it would be possible to build large community houses that have several families living together. These community houses would give Filipinos a refuge in the midst of the horrors of the storms. The Philippine people would have an ease of mind when they no longer have to worry about their house being demolished in flood waters.

In conclusion, the Philippines need assistance and a plan. A plan that would efficiently lead the country to recovery includes just four steps. The first is the building of levees. The second is building irrigation systems. Placing buoys in the ocean is the third step. Finally, building stronger buildings with better foundations is the last step. If this plan is implemented, the Philippine island can begin reconstruction as well as be prepared for the future.**