Philippines: Reconstructing after Yolanda - Potential gaps and stumbling blocks

Calling to 'bounce forward' - not 'back', Kristoffer B. Berse takes a critical look at the funding gap, planning challenges, 'disaster capitalism', disaster debt and monitoring progress of the Philippine recovery and reconstruction following Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in his opinion piece for Rappler.

He says, "while the contributions of these actors are welcome, there is always the possibility that disaster risk reduction considerations will take a backseat in the name of profit. On the other hand, there is the expectation that since these big businesses will stand to lose in the event of another major disaster, as is the trend in the latest Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction published by the UNISDR in 2013, they will be more concerned with disaster risk reduction in order to protect their business interests."

Kristoffer B. Berse, PhD, is a full-time faculty of the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG). This think piece is based on a talk he delivered at the “Forum on Coordinating Recovery: Reflecting on Gains and Gaps after Yolanda” organized by Save the Children and Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Political Science last June 30, 2014. Mr. Berse is also a consultant to UNISDR.