INCREASE – RILHUB

Disasters and climate change disproportionately affect women more than men due to less access and control over resources and opportunities that can lead to more resilient lives and livelihoods. Social and cultural gender norms and expectations may also affect their level of participation in formal spaces where decisions are made on community disaster preparedness and management. (Robles et al., 2019)

Disaster risk management programs and interventions may also not address the gender-specific needs and capacities of the community, which may reinforce gender inequalities and increase the vulnerabilities of women. Increasing women’s participation and leadership in disaster risk planning and management ensures that their capacities are considered, and their needs are addressed.

One of the goals of the Philippines: Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards (INCREASE) project, is to strengthen the disaster preparedness and risk reduction capacities of communities through creating resilient livelihoods for poor female-headed households. It aims to help women gain social recognition and increase their involvement in decision-making processes in the community. The project is guided by CARE’s Gender Equality Framework (Figure 1) which posits that in order to improve gender equality, interventions should aim to build the agency of women, change the power relations through which they live their lives, and transform social, political, and economic structures that affect their lives. (CARE, 2020)

The INCREASE Project, led by CARE Philippines, was implemented with local partners Agri-Aqua Development Coalition Mindanao (AADC Mindanao), Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development, Inc. (ACCORD), Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (CorDis RDS), and Leyte Center for Development, Inc. (LCDE). INCREASE is also guided by the Integrated Risk Management (IRM) Framework which combines strategies from Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and Ecosystem Management and Restoration (EMR) to increase community resilience.

This research brief presents the INCREASE Project’s key strategies, challenges and lessons learned in promoting women’s meaningful participation and leadership in managing livelihoods and community resilience-building.]

Floods, typhoons, and other extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change and the deterioration of natural environments. These hazards can turn into disasters which have devastating impacts on at-risk communities especially those whose livelihoods are dependent on natural resources like those in the agriculture and fisheries sector (FAO, 2011).

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR, 2017) defines disaster as “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.”

Correspondingly, CARE determined that disaster risk depends on the likelihood and severity of the hazard, vulnerability of people and assets, and the capacity of individuals and communities (Figure 1) (Dulce et al., 2020). Disasters can reduce a community’s capabilities and assets to maintain their livelihoods by destroying their physical, human, financial, natural, and social capital. They often cause destruction of infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation facilities, and docks, that negatively affect economic activities. This is often exacerbated in poor communities where cheap and less durable construction materials, like recycled wood or corrugated galvanized iron sheets (yero), are used. Disasters also lead to decreased human capital through death, injury, and disease. (Jacobsen et al., 2011)

However, it is important to understand that not all hazards result in disaster. Hazards turn into disasters when:

On October 25th, the INCREASE Project, in collaboration with RILHUB, has officially held the last session of the Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building (CLPRB) from 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM.

Starting last July, the project had already previously already implemented three iterations covering topics such as navigating the Local Climate Change Adaptation Plan (LCCAP) for LGUs, conducting remote mock tabletop exercises, and gender mainstreaming in community resilience. CLPRB serves as the INCREASE Project’s commitment to cross-learning and knowledge sharing.

Following a workshop-consultation format, the session was attended by representatives and partners from project areas around the Philippines including the provinces of Cagayan, Surigao del Sur, Northern Samar, and Mountain Province. The activity gave a refresher on the project’s expected outcomes and an overview of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. It also elicited the insights of key partners on the actual process of how the project can be sustained. Moreover, the program highlighted both key messages and exit strategies as the project is closing this year.

INCREASE is currently conducting its last set of activities in coordination with partners such as ACCORD Incorporated, the Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao, the Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services, and the Leyte Center for Development, Inv.

INCREASE or “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance

Vulnerable groups – particularly women – suffer most from natural and man-made hazards. Now more than ever, there is a need to account for their needs and interests in public decision-making spaces to ensure that community-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) mechanisms and governance structures are effective, inclusive, and are sustainably adopted. Providing women with the opportunity and ability to actively participate in DRR planning and solutions not only amplifies their voice in decisions that affect their lives but also harnesses their potential in leading community DRR work.

Aimed at increasing the resilience of small-scale farmers, fisherfolk – with focus given to female headed-households and women collectives in its partner communities, Project INCREASE sought to augment its women engagement activities and advocacy work through (1) piloting the Women Lead in Emergencies (WLiE) action research model in its activities, and (2) drawing insights from the Rapid Gender Analysis on Power (RGA-POW) conducted in nine crisis-affected barangays in Mapanas, and Palapag, Northern Samar, Philippines that are covered by the project.

This RGA-POW provides information about the different needs, capacities, and aspirations of women – with a focus on the structural and relational barriers to, and opportunities for women’s leadership and public participation during and after emergencies, as well as relevant information on the local context from previous studies (e.g. post-distribution monitoring reports, rapid gender analyses, etc.).

Apart from demonstrating that women do have power and exercise this with other women, the report also outlines underlying reasons for limited public voice and decision-making for different groups of women and identifies potential resistors and risks, as well as presents opportunities and actions that can address observed barriers. Thus, providing promising directions for WLiE in INCREASE.

The INCREASE Project has committed to holding four (4) learning exchanges engaging local implementing partners and partner communities across provinces to share DRR CCA / IRM good practices, ideas for sustainability and upscaling, innovations, and evidence from which these are based.

Similarly, the project has also committed to producing four (4) research briefs/communication materials, or case stories, from DRR CCA / IRM good practices and innovations documented to be published through RILHUB.

This partner-level learning exchange is the second part of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building Session 3. The learning questions raised to partners are the following:

The first part was a capacity-building session Gender Mainstreaming in Community Resilience on September 22 while the partner-level learning exchange on September 24 provided an avenue for partners to reflect and share best practices on the meaningful participation and decision-making of women in resilient livelihoods.

This session focuses on INCREASE’s learnings and experiences in increasing women’s participation and decision making in resilience building, as well as in ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in longer-term development plans. In support of integrated risk management principles focused on inclusion and participation, this session highlights how women-led activities in livelihoods and in preparedness activities not only build community resilience but also their individual and collective confidence, and more cohesive relations among peers and within formal and informal groups and actors in the community.

CLPRB is the manifestation of the project’s commitment to holding four (4) learning exchanges engaging local implementing partners and partner communities across provinces to share DRR-CCA and/or IRM good practices, ideas for sustainability and upscaling, innovations, and evidence from which these are based. Similarly, the project has also committed to producing four (4) research briefs or communication materials, or case stories, from DRR-CCA / IRM good practices and innovations that have been documented; these are to be published and disseminated through RILHUB.

The final installation of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building will be held in October 2021.

Early Warning Systems (EWS) equipment were officially turned over to the community members and barangay officials of Natonin and Barlig, Mt. Province last September 8 and 9, 2021.

EWS equipment includes basic emergency and first aid equipment such as generators, spine boards with strap, two-way radios, amplifiers, public awareness devices, bells, rope, sets of BP apparatus, first aid kits, among others. All of which were identified by community members who were actively engaged in community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops conducted as part of the INCREASE: Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards project. Along with the equipment, household-level flyers about the specific hazards in their community and the evacuation plan, and EWS signage containing warning signals and actions for community members were also handed over during the turnover ceremony.

In Barlig, barangay officials and representatives from INCREASE covered barangays, Kaleo, Chupac, Lunas, and Ogo-og, and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative were present during the turn-over ceremony. Female household heads who were the main participants of the Resilient Livelihood activities of INCREASE, also attended the ceremony and offered a song of appreciation to CARE Philippines and Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services representatives. In Natonin, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officer along with Barangay Balangao and Alonugan officials and female household heads received the equipment and IEC materials.

People-Centered EWS

EWS is an adaptive measure for climate change, using integrated communication systems to help communities prepare for hazardous climate-related events. This means that through EWS, community members receive relevant and timely information in a systematic way prior to a disaster in order to make informed decisions and take action. A successful EWS can save lives and livelihood. To be effective, EWS needs to actively involve the communities at risk, facilitate public education and awareness of risks, effectively disseminate messages and warnings and ensure there is a constant state of preparedness.

During INCREASE workshops, risk information and the necessary equipment to relay warning signals were identified. This information was identified by the community members and barangay officials and was documented and translated into IEC materials to make sure that warnings are understandable by all members of the community.

The Need for EWS Equipment

Typhoon Rosita hit our area, we thought it was the end. The experience awakened our community. We exhausted every means to prepare for the next disaster. Thanks to INCREASE Project, we were able to identify early warning devices needed in our area to better respond to natural hazards,” shared Brgy. Balangao Chairperson Conrado Limangan, upon receiving the EWS equipment.

Recalling the worst typhoon in their memory, community members mentioned that since they had no equipment back then, members of the Barangay DRRM Council would only be shouting to instruct community members to evacuate their homes. Power and communication lines were interrupted then, hence they identified a generator as one of the main EWS equipment needed in their area. Natonin Municipal DRRM Officer Soledad Nasudman recognizes this and shared, “Thank you for bringing the project nearer to us. Even if the BDRRMC officials are capacitated, if equipment is not available, response and preparedness would not be as effective.”

nowledge that they need to find a funding source for the purchase and installment of EWS. Barangay Chupac Chairperson, Benedicto Nabunat shared, “We express our deepest appreciation to the INCREASE team for the equipment because we know that our barangay’s budget can’t afford to provide these. We are thankful because it’s rare that a project reaches an isolated area like ours.” In addition to these equipment, risk maps plotting the community facilities, houses, forests, and farmlands, their level of susceptibility to several hazards that can affect them will be put up. To test the early actions and preparedness capacities of the officials and community members, a drill will also be conducted as part of the INCREASE Project.

Natonin and Barlig are both prone to typhoons and landslides. During their community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops, community members shared that they experience at least 3 to 4 typhoons in a year. One barangay was also named as the “Home of Rain” since rain is nonstop in the area for almost the whole year. While community members recognize the need for EWS equipment and IEC materials, they also ack

INCREASE aims to increase the resilience of 45,000 women and men small-scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. It is present in 4 provinces, 8 municipalities, and 33 barangays. CARE Philippines and CorDis RDS lead its implementation in Mt. Province.

Women and men farmers in INCREASE areas were capacitated to build communal and household-level resilient livelihoods. Among these livelihoods is swine production. This manual was created in particular, as a supplementary to the training sessions held in the communities to further boost the knowledge, skills, and attitude of the participants in organic agriculture production in accordance with the industry standards. The manual contains useful tips in the designing of pigpens, preparation of organic feeds, fermentation of feeds, beddings, and silage for raising organic hogs.

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In celebration of #WorldHumanitarianDay (WHD) last August 19th, the INCREASE project held another virtual iteration of the Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building (CLPRB) today. This is the second overall CLPRB, following the first session on remote tabletop exercises last June.

This session focused on the capacity-building of INCREASE partners and relevant municipal local government staff in navigating the Local Climate Change Action Plan or LCCAP and its updating. By the end of the event, participants shared how their learnings and reflections include the importance of advocacy and CDRA, the process of the LCCAP, and that tools and templates are available for utilization.

This year’s WHD is focused on highlighting and emphasizing the urgency and gravity of the climate crisis. Many organizations and projects, including RILHUB and its partners, echo the call for commitment to climate adaptation and mitigation in line with keeping the global warming threshold at 1.5 °C. In addition to this call, INCREASE and RILHUB aim to continue providing avenues for cross-learning and capacity building on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem management and restoration.

This partner-level learning exchange is the second part of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building Session 2. The learning questions raised to partners are the following:

INCREASE or “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance.