The Philippines declare a state of emergency after the passage of typhoon Rai

The declaration of a state of emergency will speed up the relief and reconstruction efforts of both the government and the private sector, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday.

 

The tropical storm that swept through the archipelago late last week affected some 2.4 million people, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Some 684,000 people were displaced and 139,000 homes damaged, according to estimates.

 

Rai' made landfall last Thursday with winds of 195 km/h, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Many buildings were destroyed while crops and harvesting were severely damaged. The storm also damaged several airports. On Saturday, the tropical storm - known locally as 'Odette' - continued its path towards Vietnam, passing through the western island of Palawan.

 

The Philippines is hit by nearly 20 typhoons each year. In 2013, super typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6,300 people and displaced 4 million.