Philippines marks one year anniversary of deadly Typhoon Haiyan
- 10 years ago
Exactly one year on, a memorial march and prayers have been held in Tacloban – the city in the central Philippines worst-hit by killer Typhoon Haiyan which wiped out or damaged practically everything in its path.
Before dawn on Saturday, more than 5,000 people holding white balloons and candles mournfully walked around the city, passing through areas flattened by Haiyan’s 250 kph winds and seven-metre high storm surge.
Some 7,000 people perished, many of them buried at a mass grave site where survivors came to pray and remember.
Around 90 percent of Tacloban was devastated and, with many people still homeless, frustration aimed at President Benigno Aquino has spilled over onto the streets amid claims that money is not being properly spent on rebuilding.
Hundreds in Tacloban burned an effigy of the president in protest.
“Our call is justice for the criminal negligence of our president and the government and we want him to step down,” said Efleda Bautista, a leader of People Surge, a group of typhoon survivors
Authorities defend their record but 12 months on some of those caught up in this disaster believe their lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.
Before dawn on Saturday, more than 5,000 people holding white balloons and candles mournfully walked around the city, passing through areas flattened by Haiyan’s 250 kph winds and seven-metre high storm surge.
Some 7,000 people perished, many of them buried at a mass grave site where survivors came to pray and remember.
Around 90 percent of Tacloban was devastated and, with many people still homeless, frustration aimed at President Benigno Aquino has spilled over onto the streets amid claims that money is not being properly spent on rebuilding.
Hundreds in Tacloban burned an effigy of the president in protest.
“Our call is justice for the criminal negligence of our president and the government and we want him to step down,” said Efleda Bautista, a leader of People Surge, a group of typhoon survivors
Authorities defend their record but 12 months on some of those caught up in this disaster believe their lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.