“All three of our countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, and Laos—are affected by strong storms, heavy rains, and flooding.
- The Philippines and Indonesia experience powerful tropical storms and typhoons every year.
- Laos, though landlocked, faces severe river flooding and landslides during the rainy season.
- Climate change is making these hazards more intense and more unpredictable across the region.
Recent large disasters in our region include:
- Supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda (Philippines)
- Severe flooding from tropical storms in Indonesia
- Widespread Mekong River flooding in Laos
These hazards bring:
✔ Strong winds
✔ Heavy rain
✔ Floods
✔ Storm surges (for coastal areas)
✔ Landslides
But the real danger increases when barriers exist.
Barriers During Typhoons & Floods
For persons with disabilities and many vulnerable groups, these hazards expose:
- Evacuation centers on upper floors with no ramps
- Flooded streets without tactile guidance
- Narrow village pathways
- Audio-only warnings with no captions or visuals
- Noise, crowds, and chaos that overwhelm neurodivergent youth
Storms and floods show us an important truth:
Hazards become deadly when systems are not designed for everyone.


