Given its geographical location, the Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that is most prone to disasters. In fact, the Philippines placed 5th as the most vulnerable country on disaster risk implications for development capacity on the 2015 Global Assessment Report of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction while consistently ranking in the top 4 among the countries in the world hit by the highest number of disasters for over 20 years. Recognizing the adverse impacts of disasters in the economy and human capital, the Philippine government has predicted a yearly PhP 177 billion losses due to disasters.
START Network defined disaster risk financing as an integration of the elements of science-based risk modeling, contingency planning, and pre-agreed financing to prompt humanitarian funding in situations that meet the threshold. Disaster risk financing also entails access to reliable funds whenever a crisis hits which can result in an improved timing, coverage, and design of humanitarian action, and at the same time, support improved emergency preparedness measures.
In terms of gender equality, the Philippines, as compared with other countries in the world, ranks medium to high based on Gender and Development Index, and Gender Gap Index. Despite these achievements, during the onslaught of both climate and disaster risks, women, men, and other gender identities still tend to remain vulnerable. Thus, in disaster risk financing, it is essential to consider gendered needs and the contexts of populations that benefit from it. START Network recognizes the importance of experiences as a learning mechanism to devise ways to help in improving disaster preparedness, access to information, and early action given the gendered needs of people.
Start Network started piloting disaster risk financing (DRF) approaches to move from reacting to crises, to proactively managing risks, so that we can ensure faster, more efficient, and more effective locally-led humanitarian action. Disaster risk financing as defined by START Network (2021) integrates the elements of science-based risk modeling, contingency planning, and pre-agreed financing to prompt humanitarian funding in situations that meet the threshold. This session was conducted with the aim of achieving the following objectives:
Introduce the DRF system build work for the Philippines;
Share the outputs of completed DRF research studies to a public audience; and
Ensure that START Network members, local CSO partners, and other stakeholders have a common understanding of the current baseline for the build-up of the DRF system in the Philippine context.
Background of the Sessions during the Webinar
Start Network supports inclusive locally-led structures to own, develop and implement financing strategies and systems in their contexts. In the Philippines, Start Network conducted studies to collect baseline information needed to establish a DRF system that is appropriate for the Philippine context. In this meeting, the outputs of three research studies on disaster risk management (DRM) financial flows, impact, vulnerability analysis, and gender mainstreaming will be shared to Start Network Members and local CSO partners in the Philippines.
Financing Disaster Risk Management in the Philippines: A Three-Year Snapshot, 2018-2020 This study by a research team from the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute mapped the flow of funding for DRM in the Philippines from 2018 to 2020 to determine the gaps that can be addressed by developing a DRF mechanism. This study identified financing gaps geographically and hazards-wise and explored the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on DRM funding. Tracking the sources of annual financing to deal with disaster risks, both ex-ante and ex-post, allows for a better understanding of the scope of actionable DRM strategies by both government and non-government actors, especially for anticipatory action.
‘What suits one may not suit the other’: A Vulnerability and Impact Analysis on flooding and severe winds caused by tropical cyclones START Network members in the Philippines have identified severe winds and flooding caused by tropical cyclones as the most impactful hazards that have hit the country. This Vulnerability and Impact Analysis by a team from the Research Institute for Mindanao Culture identified the following: (1) the geographic and socio-economic extent of impacts of severe winds and flooding due to tropical cyclones in the Philippines; (2) the vulnerability factors and cross-sectoral issues related to tropical cyclones and (3) the existing community-based coping mechanisms that the humanitarian sector can leverage on. Through their analysis, three vulnerable areas (one each in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) were selected as focus study areas where the DRF Project can potentially be piloted.
Mainstreaming Gender and DRF: Experiences of Marginalized Gender Identities in Disasters in Rural/Urban Communities in the Philippines
In developing DRF models, it is important to highlight the need to mainstream gender and other intersectional identities in the planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluation process. Ensuring gender equality in DRF requires looking into its gendered dimensions with respect to intersectional identities. This research report by Practical Action Consulting on mainstreaming gender and disaster risk financing (DRF) documents the lived experiences of women, men, and other gender identities on disasters and their intersectional impact on their access to information, preparedness, and early action. It delves deep into their marginalized status and how the existing disaster risk reduction measures reach them and how these could provide opportunities for disaster risk financing. In these gendered dimensions of disaster risk financing, the study identified entry points on opportunities where gender can be effectively mainstreamed.
Start Ready Start Ready is a new financial infrastructure recently launched by Start Network that will house a range of innovative crisis financing mechanisms, enabling faster, more efficient, and more effective global humanitarian action. Through risk pooling, it can provide predictable triggered funding at scale for foreseeable crises using innovative risk analysis, collective planning, scientific modeling, and pre-positioned financing.
Start Network is made up of more than 50 aid agencies across five continents, ranging from large international organizations to national NGOs. Together, our aim is to transform humanitarian action through innovation, fast funding, early action, and localization. Through the START Network, members and partners can quickly access funding for projects to save lives before a disaster strikes.
The need for disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures rises with more frequent and stronger disasters. Thus, disaster risk financing (DRF) systems should be prompt, adequate, and responsive to cater to the needs of the vulnerable sector, especially in the Philippines, being the ninth most vulnerable country in the world (Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft, 2020). However, disaster risk management (DRM) funding in the country is insufficient and unpredictable (Villacin, 2017), indicating deficiencies in the national DRF architecture. The development of a robust risk financing mechanism has been hampered by a lack of information on the nature, volume, and flows of funds from various sources.
This document showcases a three-year snapshot of Disaster Risk Financing in the Philippines.
Disasters are on the rise. In the past two decades, more than 200 million people have been affected, on average, every year by disasters. Storms, floods, and earthquakes are the top three disaster events worldwide that have claimed a considerable amount of lives and properties.
This book aims to educate children about disasters, particularly storms, floods, and earthquakes, and what they can do about them. This is aimed at children between the ages of 6 and 10. This book features different activities to make learning a lot more fun for them. The Citizens ‘Disaster Response Center (CDRC) advises parents, guardians, and teachers to assist the children using this activity book.
This book is produced by the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center for the MICRODIS Project under the Sixth Framework Program of the European Commission.
To access a soft copy of this resource, please click here.
by Ashley Venerable, INCREASE Project
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.
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 2. The learning questions raised to partners are the following:
What risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures have the FHH/farmers adopted during the project period?
What are the indigenous and modern farming practices that you have adopted throughout the years, and which among these do you plan to continue?
How does livelihood diversification help individuals and communities reduce risks and reduce negative coping mechanisms?
What factors drive women and men farmers’ and fishers’ adoption of climate-informed practice, and resilient livelihood strategies?
What encourages incentivises them to be flexible to change, and become more open to becoming part of forward-looking assessments?
To access a soft copy of this presentation deck, please click here.
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.
The first week of July marked the implementation of the first session of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building, an initiative that aims to bridge the gap among INCREASE partners and knowledge-sharing, particularly because of the restrictions brought about by the pandemic.
Climate change and ecosystem degradation place new demands on disaster risk reduction approaches. Philippines: Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards (INCREASE) Project, leveraging on the decade-worth of learnings from the PfR programme and other projects implemented by CARE and partners, advocates to mainstream Integrated Risk Management (IRM) as an enhanced, holistic approach to increase community resilience by integrating disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and ecosystem management and restoration.
Following INCREASE’s commitment to place at-risk and vulnerable communities at the center of resilience building, we aim to engage our partner communities not only in the design and development of early warning systems, early action protocols, and emergency procedures in the process of developing their contingency plans, but more importantly, in working with their local DRR committee members, as they jointly test these actions and systems through community drills, among other simulation exercises.
Conducting community drills have been proven effective in testing whether community members are able to interpret early warning information correctly and duly execute operational procedures for evacuation and protection of their households and livelihoods. Further, DRR committee members are also tested whether they are able to work closely with community members, provide timely information, evacuate and rescue affected persons, and consider targeted support for vulnerable persons, following different scenarios (e.g. worst case, amid a pandemic, etc.)
However, the feasibility of conducting community drills amid a public health emergency where social distancing protocols are enforced, as well as in conflict-affected areas with mobilisation restrictions, still remain to be seen and are presently put on hold in many areas.
Thus, considering alternative approaches to conducting drills through mixed modalities (i.e. virtual, face-to-face, or a hybrid of both), and how effectiveness can be strengthened with other activities (i.e. household- and community-level IEC campaigns) is a forward-looking approach DRR practitioners can look into.
This session was aimed at achieving the following objectives:
Reviewing key characteristics of an effective tabletop exercise (conducted in lieu / or in support to community drills);
Going through the three main phases conducting remote tabletop exercises, referring back to main steps discussed in Part 1
Conducting a sample simulation exercise testing the capacity of INCREASE barangay / municipal DRR committee partner participants
Demonstrating participants’ familiarity of a contingency plan (based on the sample CP) and how it translates to actual actions
Gathering feedback on participants’ experience from the simulation exercise, and identifying areas that need further localization and adoption
Sharing key learnings on community inclusion and participation in DRR activities
With over 90 participants from Cagayan, Mt. Province, Surigao del Sur, and Northern Samar, INCREASE conducted the first virtual, Remote [Mock] Tabletop Exercise or RTTX which is an adaptive measure to ensuring the continuation of resilience- and capacity-building for DRRM in lieu of face-to-face community drills. Some attending partners participated in the session through mixed modalities, facilitators virtually present while the participatns from the same local government attended as a group.
The Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building is set for three more sessions until October.
In the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of the resilience- and capacity-building efforts of different organizations and programs have been hampered by existing and constantly changing logistical restrictions and health protocols such as travel and face-to-face meeting prohibitions.
In lieu of earthquake drills, in what other ways can we simulate unprecedented risks in our community? In what ways can we continue incapacitating our local governments, our leaders, and our community members to be able to efficiently and aptly respond to emerging risks and disasters?
Tabletop exercises are one way that CARE and ACCORD projects have been training their stakeholders. To learn more about how to conduct this exercise remotely as an adaptive measure to the pandemic, you may check out the Remote Mock Tabletop Exercises brief introduction below.
To access a soft copy of the said material, please click this link.
INCREASE recognizes the key role that local communities play in preparing for disastrous events. Hence, it conducts community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) training sessions to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen people’s capacity to cope with hazards. As a supplementary material, this tarpaulin was created to remind local communities of the features of CBDRM.
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.
INCREASE conducts contingency planning workshops along with local actors and vulnerable sectors to enable timely, effective, and appropriate response in the event of a disaster. The characteristics of a good contingency plan were summarized in this IEC material so community members and leaders can recall the concepts and apply them accordingly.
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.
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.
EWS 
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. 
INCREASE recognizes the key role that local communities play in preparing for disastrous events. Hence, it conducts community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) training sessions to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen people’s capacity to cope with hazards. As a supplementary material, this tarpaulin was created to remind local communities of the features of CBDRM.
INCREASE conducts contingency planning workshops along with local actors and vulnerable sectors to enable timely, effective, and appropriate response in the event of a disaster. The characteristics of a good contingency plan were summarized in this IEC material so community members and leaders can recall the concepts and apply them accordingly.