Philippines: Pushing community-driven disaster risk reduction initiatives in Sorsogon - WFP

By Faizza Tanggol

Sorsogon is one of the most disaster-prone provinces in the Philippines. What is WFP doing to help address the effects of severe disasters and climate change in the province?

Natural disasters and the effects of extreme climate change increase the risk of hunger, especially to those who are already vulnerable. To address this, the World Food Programme (WFP) recommends strengthening disaster preparedness initiatives, supporting livelihood creation and diversification and implementing innovative social safety net mechanisms in the Philippines.

In partnership with the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), WFP is helping build resilience in disaster-prone provinces in the Philippines through its Disaster Preparedness and Response/Climate Change Adaptation (DPR/CCA) project.

Through the partnership, local governments, academe and non-government organizations plan for the disaster risk reduction activities suitable for their communities. More importantly, they also provide counterpart funding to support their own preparedness initiatives.

Sorsogon, the southernmost province of Luzon, is one of the partner provinces of the DPR/CCA project. Situated within the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, it is one of the provinces through which typhoons regularly pass.

Since 2011, WFP has partnered with Sorsogon Province and the municipalities of Casiguran, Irosin, Juban, Prieto Diaz, and Santa Magdalena to help build resilience in their communities. Here’s a list of what WFP has been doing in Sorsogon.

Preparedness for Effective Response

To better respond to incoming disasters, select local government units (LGUs) in Sorsogon were provided with emergency response trainings which encompass knowledge on first aid and basic water search and rescue. In the left photo, the emergency response team of the Municipality of Prieto Diaz conduct their first aid drill. The right photo shows the search and water rescue of the emergency response team of the Municipality of Juban.

LGUs were also provided with equipment to be used during emergencies such as patrol or rescue boats, spine boards, ropes, life vests, safety helmets, chainsaws, and lifebuoys. The above photos show the patrol boats, life vests and other rescue equipment of the Municipality of Santa Magdalena.

Disaster operations centres were also established where decision-makers and responders can meet and organize themselves during emergency operations. Evacuation centres were also built which will serve as temporary shelters for community members during the activation of their pre-evacuation protocols. The left photo shows the disaster operations centre in the Municipality of Irosin, while the right photo is the multipurpose evacuation centre and storage facility in Santa Magdalena.

Information Systems

Access to communications is one of the most vital needs during emergencies. WFP has helped put communications protocols in place to assist in the dissemination of information during emergencies by providing the Province of Sorsogon with communications equipment. In the left photo, the Province of Sorsogon showcases the base radio they use during emergencies, while in the right photo, Juban disaster risk reduction officer uses their handheld radio to communicate with their rescue personnel.

Assessments

Even before an emergency strikes, LGUs are equipped with assessment tools to help them identify and analyse the capacities and vulnerabilities within their community. Trainings and equipment necessary for Geographic Information Systems were established. With the hazard mapping in place, LGUs can effectively plan and prepare for vulnerabilities. In the above photos, Prieto Diaz mayor and disaster risk officer (left photo) and Casiguran disaster risk officer (right photo) demonstrate their ongoing hazard mapping initiatives.

Public Education

To increase the awareness of the hazards within the community, LGUs have prepared information, education and communication (IEC) materials for their constituents. IEC materials usually include information on the existing disaster risk in the community as well as how to properly prepare for it, such as those in the IEC materials of Santa Magdalena, illustrated above.

Aside from IEC materials, an innovative way to educate is through “education on wheels” such as those of Green Valley Development Program’s Van Aralan, pictured above. Through Van Aralan, students and out-of-school youth are educated about the different types of disasters, climate change, and how to cope with it. Almost 6,000 school children and out-of-school youth were reached by the Van Aralan project.

Addressing Risk Factors

To address a specific risks in the community, local governments are encouraged to come up with community-driven initiatives which reduces vulnerabilities in their area. In Casiguran, coastal communities have planted 9,000 mangrove propagules to protect their coastlines against extreme weather and erosion.

Adapting to Climate Change

To ensure food security in the region as well as to adapt to the changing climate, the local government of Irosin came up with the Climate Resilience Field School (CRFS), a non-formal education for farmers. Through the CRFS, more than a hundred farmers were trained on practical matters such as climate and weather forecasting to help them decide when to plant and fertilize their crops, which type of crop variety is best for their area, and analyse which insects are helpful or harmful for their crops.

Farmers in Casiguran also help reduce the impacts of climate change by producing and utilizing biochar. Biochar uses agricultural waste like rice husks (left photo), and converts it to charcoal (right photo) and smoked liquid. The finished product is used in a variety of ways in farming such as the improvement of soil fertility and crop yield, as well as other reported uses like reduction of animal dung stench and mosquito repellent.

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Since 2011, WFP has been helping build resilience in the Philippines with innovative, high-impact projects across 10 provinces, 40 municipalities, seven cities, and through partnerships with nine academic institutions and eight non-government organizations. The DPR/CCA Programme is supported by the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, private partner Yum! and in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Office of Civil Defense.

@FaizzaTanggol is the communications officer at the WFP Philippines' Manila country office.

All photos by WFP/Faizza Tanggol.