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Disasters are increasing on a global scale

20–25 typhoons will impact The Philippines every year. Photo: Caroline Gluck/Oxfam
When Super Typhoon Haiyan hit The Philippines in November 2013, the devastation it left made the headlines — but it was not a one-off event. 20-25 typhoons hit The Philippines every year.

Three months after Typhoon Haiyan, Tropical Cyclone Lingling killed 70 people and caused $40 million worth of damage. In 2014, Typhoon Hagupit killed 27 people and caused more than a million others to evacuate their homes.

As natural disasters increase globally in both frequency and impact, your support in countries like The Philippines has become even more critical. People already living in poverty are now spending their lives recovering from one disaster — while trying to survive the next. 

Thanks to people like you, Oxfam can work with these communities to help prepare them for disaster and reduce the impact once disaster has hit. Severe weather warnings, early evacuation and essential supplies of water and food can help save lives in a disaster. 

But even a small typhoon can mean flash floods and landslides that destroy crops, livestock and income. This unpredictable and increasingly frequent weather has taken a toll on families who rely on farming to survive. Traditional farming techniques are ineffective — leaving many families without a source of food or income.

To keep hunger at bay, you’re helping us train people to produce their own natural fertilisers and adapt their crops to fast-changing weather patterns. We encourage people in the community to train one another to grow food in their backyard and community garden — which not only feeds their families — but generates an income when sold at market.

By donating today, you’re also helping to save recovery costs in the future. Every dollar invested in preparing for natural disasters today can save seven dollars in recovery costs (World Bank).