Typhoon Yagi was more than just a storm; it was a catastrophe that shook Southeast Asia to its core. When it made landfall in September, Yagi unleashed fury unseen in decades—crashing through Southeast Asia, leaving a path of destruction that claimed over 700 lives and displaced millions more. Homes were swallowed by floodwaters, livelihoods vanished in an instant, and entire communities were left grappling with how to survive the aftermath.
This tragedy, however, is part of a larger, unsettling reality. As climate change intensifies, storms like Yagi will become more frequent and severe. Southeast Asia, despite contributing little to global emissions, finds itself at the frontlines of climate chaos. The question now is, how do these nations safeguard their people in the face of such devastation? The answer could lie in something both profound and practical: universal and adaptive social protection systems.
The Unseen Storm: Climate Risks and Social Inequalities
Beyond the winds and waves, Typhoon Yagi exposed the fragile social fabric that holds communities together, particularly among the region’s most vulnerable. Women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, the elderly, and the impoverished were hit hardest. Their struggles, though quieter, were no less brutal.
For many, there is no safety net. Picture this: A woman in rural Vietnam, already burdened with caregiving duties, now faces the impossible task of rebuilding her home with nothing but her bare hands. A farmer in Laos watches helplessly as his rice fields, his sole source of income, are submerged under murky floodwaters. Millions in the informal economy—those who don’t have access to health insurance, pensions, or unemployment benefits—find themselves on the precipice of ruin.
In Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, the storm didn’t just wreck infrastructure—it obliterated the livelihoods of millions of farmers, erasing years of hard work in mere hours. Without savings or financial cushions, these communities teeter on the edge, at risk of being pulled deeper into poverty.
Social Protection: A Lifeline, Not a Luxury
Now imagine a different scenario. Imagine that, in the wake of Typhoon Yagi, every affected household received emergency cash benefits, food vouchers, and access to long-term support—such as pensions, unemployment, health insurance,, and child benefits. These families wouldn’t just be surviving; they’d have a shot at recovery.
Social protection isn't merely a tool to alleviate poverty; it’s a lifeline, one that could allowfamilies to rebuild their homes, buy essential supplies, and access temporary shelter. It could help farmers and laborers get back on their feet, providing a buffer to recover from job losses and destroyed livelihoods. Rather than relying solely on short-term humanitarian aid, which can only go so far, a universal social protection system can act as a stabilizer—before, during, and after the storm.
The Urgent Need for Systemic Change
As climate shocks grow in intensity and frequency, social protection systems must evolve to meet these new realities. According to the ILO’s World Social Protection Report, universal and adaptive systems are essential for a just transition toward a greener economy. It’s not just about addressing immediate crises—these systems are crucial for building long-term resilience, reducing vulnerability, and ensuring communities are prepared for the next big storm.
But to get there, countries will need political will, sustainable financing, and equitable policies. It’s a daunting challenge, but one that governments, civil society, and international organizations must confront head-on.
A Call to Action
Typhoon Yagi serves as a grim reminder of the peril climate change poses. Yet, amid the devastation lies a critical opportunity to rethink how we protect our communities. Universal, adaptive social protection systems are no longer a distant ideal—they are a necessity.
As we look to rebuild, we must remember that our fight isn’t just against today's storm but the storms of tomorrow. The time to act is now. Investing in social protection today means investing in the resilience of millions, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind when the next disaster strikes.