Abstract for: The Dynamics of Disaster Economics: The Philippines' Recovery and Response to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) is the strongest storm ever recorded to date. It made landfall in the Philippines on November 8, 2013, with damages amounting to over PhP360 billion and leaving 6,155 dead while 1,785 are still reported missing. This study uses a system dynamics model to explore the aspect of recovery and response, especially due to the immense gap between the cost of damage and cost of assistance. The primary objective is to be able to meet the needs of the affected population, through effective information flow- from the recording of damages and casualties to the allocation and distribution of relief goods, supplies, personnel and medical teams. A causal loop diagram is formulated to show the relationship between variables and which ones dictate the efficiency of response efforts. A stock flow diagram translates these into a model ready to replicate the behavior of the actual system. This would then be used for scenario analysis, to test proposed programs like an Emergency Resiliency Fund, to see the influence of media in soliciting and monitoring relief supplies, and on social entropy- how communities sustain recovery and use it to prevent disasters from happening again.