Hanoi - On the 10th anniversary of super typhoon Haiyan, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasized the urgent need to integrate climate change into national policies. The commemoration event, held in Tacloban city on November 8, highlighted the importance of building resilient communities in the face of unpredictable climate impacts.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the Philippines must prioritize the strengthening of communities to better withstand the effects of climate change. The event was attended by members of the Philippine Cabinet, foreign diplomats, and survivors of the devastating storm.

Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, hit the Philippines with winds reaching up to 315 kilometers per hour, causing tsunami-like waves. The storm severely affected the central islands of the archipelago nation, leading to about 6,300 deaths and over 1,000 missing persons. The catastrophe also left more than 4 million people homeless.

Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province, faced the most severe impact of Haiyan, experiencing near-total destruction due to five-meter-high storm surges that ravaged coastal communities. The city's recovery from the storm has been a testament to the resilience of its people and a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by coastal regions.

The Philippines, which encounters more than 20 major storms annually, is at the forefront of climate-related challenges. Scientists have warned that the intensity and destructive power of such storms are likely to increase due to climate change, posing significant risks to vulnerable regions.

This commemoration serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of natural disasters and underscores the urgency of addressing climate change at both national and global levels.