From Priyan Mendis
Most of the thousands of deaths reported when typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines (16 November, p 6) were caused by building collapse and drowning. Between 70 and 80 per cent of buildings and homes in the storm’s path were destroyed.
However, we already have the technology and expertise to build typhoon-proof buildings, with some cheap solutions suitable for remote areas. Such buildings will sustain less damage during typhoons, saving lives and allowing rapid, inexpensive reconstruction.
We have made progress in managing disasters after the fact, but it is surprising that we still have not established global planning and design guidelines to avoid mass casualties. Very little funding is going towards implementing design rules to improve the built infrastructure, as these extreme events seem to be rapidly forgotten.
Melbourne, Australia
leader of the Advanced Protective Technology for Engineering Structures group, University of Melbourne
