Typhoon Disaster Response amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Successive Typhoons in The Philippines in 2020

Abstract: The objective of this thesis is to analyze how typhoon response operations in the Philippines were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-hazard scenario is not a singular case, many places around the world have been exposed to similar dilemmas of natural hazards occurring simultaneously as the pandemic. This study was carried out with the intention of better understanding the interplay of concurrent hazards and the type of impact they can cause to society, creating new issues as well as exacerbated preexisting ones. The primary data used for this research consisted of twelve semi-structured interviews with informants from Philippine government and humanitarian organizations and the secondary data is based on existing literature. The results show that a concurrent hazard scenario brings significant challenges to response operations. The health safety regulations presented in order to curb the spread of the pandemic had to be incorporated into all parts of the typhoon response. Changes implemented ranged from the switch to remote working and increased reliance on digital technology; the use of PPE at all times; physical distancing, especially at the evacuation sites; to the restrictions on movements around the country. This study has shown that there is still a lot to learn with regards to this topic. It has also shown that there is a growing need to invest more in preparedness, as well as adopt a more holistic and flexible approach to planning when it comes to hazards in the future.