An aerial image taken from a Philippine Air Force helicopter shows the devastation of the first landfall by typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), Monday Nov. 11, 2013 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar province, Central Philippines. (AP file photo)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� In commemoration of the 11th anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. stressed that the Philippines cannot be complacent about calamities.
His observation comes amid the country鈥檚 label as the most disaster-prone country in the world.
Based on the 2024 World Risk Report, the Philippines tops the list of countries facing hefty threats from natural disasters, followed by Indonesia, India, Colombia, and Mexico.
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鈥淎s the most disaster-prone country in the world, we cannot do otherwise. We do not have the luxury of ignorance, inaction, and complacency,鈥� Marcos said in a statement on Friday.
He then called on the public to 鈥渕itigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change and urgently abate our vulnerability to disasters.鈥�
鈥淲e must empower our communities and strengthen our local government units, who both comprise our first line of defense against calamities,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e must guarantee the speedy delivery of relief and aid to all those who may need it,鈥� the president added.
Marcos also noted that the recent onslaught of Typhoons Kristine and Leon serves as a reminder that the powerful lessons from Yolanda 鈥渟hould not be lost with the passage of time.鈥�
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鈥淗eeding these is the best way to honor the lives lost,鈥� he said.
Yolanda, the world鈥檚 strongest typhoon ever to hit land, left聽6,300 people dead, around 28,000 injured, more than a thousand missing, and over 3 million families affected.