A Chronic Problem In Disaster Zones: No Fuel
In the wake of any natural disaster, there are almost always shortages of fuel. Even in the United States, gas stations shut down during blackouts because there's no electricity to run their pumps.
It was no different in the Philippines, where practically no fuel was available after Typhoon Haiyan struck. Aid agencies said the lack of gasoline was a major impediment to relief efforts.
One small American nonprofit called the Fuel Relief Fund is trying to change that.
Immediately after Haiyan hit, all the gas stations in Tacloban were shut, along with everything else. Many of the stations were damaged; none had electricity. The storm had caused so much destruction that fuel wasn't even available on the black market.
So when a couple of gas stations opened almost a week later, people waited in long lines to fill jerrycans, plastic containers, Coke bottles and motorbikes with gasoline.
Enlarge image i