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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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Project • CBA2019-09SY-Fernandez

Developing Capacity for Post-typhoon Disaster Waste Management in Coastal Cities in China, Fiji, and the Philippines

In recent years there had been several strong typhoons that caused heavy destruction in Asia and the Pacific, such as Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which affected the Philippines, Vietnam, Mainland China, and Taiwan; Cyclone Winston in 2016, which affected Fiji and other South Pacific nations; and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which affected the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. Strong winds from the typhoon tore roofs, windows, doors, and walls off houses; broke trees and other vegetation; and littered wooden, metallic, plastic, and glass debris and waste across a large area. In some cases, hazardous materials, including hospital and industrial wastes, were also among the scattered wastes that needed to be collected and properly treated. Typhoons often result to flooding that make post-disaster waste management even more complicated. Wastes can pose a serious threat to human health and safety. It is therefore necessary for coastal cities frequently affected by typhoons to have adequate capacity for post-disaster waste management. This project will contribute to this end via the provision of appropriate knowledge and training to government and non-government stakeholders. This proposed one-year project will be implemented in Lautoka City, Fiji and Makati City, Philippines with the support of four prominent universities (see list of collaborators).