Every Monday we pick a compelling photograph related to climate change, migration and displacement and tell the story behind it.
This photo was taken during the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, in the Philippines. It shows Gelian dela Cruz (age 11) standing amongst the rubble of her neighbourhood in Barangay Libertad, Bogo City, Cebu. The photo was taken by Pio Arce working for the European Commission. This is a photo we’ve used repeatedly before in stories about the Philippines, and specifically about typhoon Haiyan.
The displacement caused by the typhoon added another layer to complex patterns of migration and displacement that already exist in the Philippines.
Related: Climate change, displacement and The Philippines: stories of displacement and resilience
In 2009 nearly 10% of the citizens were living outside the Philippines. This overseas workforce has created a powerful flow of remittances into the Philippines which now accounts for over 11% of GDP. With increasing exposure to disasters at home, this flow of remittances from abroad has provided some financial stability for families affected by disasters. Internal displacement remains a key problem. This displacement has a number of causes including conflict and development projects. Three million people were internally displaced between 2000 – 2009 due to conflict and human rights abuses. But disasters are now the most significant factor driving internal displacement.
The relationship between climate change and typhoons is complex, and to some extent unclear. There is some evidence that warmer temperatures create more powerful typhoons. Sea surface temperature is one of the key factors effecting hurricane formation and warmer seas may provide more energy for hurricanes when they form. However there are other major factors currently influencing the frequency and intensity of hurricanes that may not be linked to climate change. Modelling suggests that globally the number of hurricanes may decrease or remain the same, but the intensity and the number of severe storms may increase. However predicting changes to hurricane activity in individual ocean basins is still difficult and uncertain.
Photo Credit Pio Arce/Genesis Photos – World Vision. Creative Commons on Flickr.
Alex Randall coordinates the UK Climate Change and Migration Coalition. He is author several reports on migration and climate change. He writes regularly on migration, displacement and climate change for a number of outlets.
