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ProAct spearheads ‘New Normal’ Disaster Community Drill in Davao de Oro

Representatives for Barangay Anitapan on stand-by at evacuation camp stations while waiting for ‘evacuees’ of the landslide simulation last July 28, 2021 | Barangay Anitapan, Mabini, Davao de Oro (Photo by Vina Menez for Action Against Hunger)

MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO — In order to increase community awareness on disaster risks, our ProAct Project team initiated an activity entitled, “Community Drill Towards a Resilient Disaster Governance in the New Normal” last July 28 and 30, 2021. This was conducted in partnership with the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) and Municipal Social Welfare Department (MSWD) of the Municipality of Mabini, Davao de Oro.

Community members of Barangay Anitapan participate in the landslide simulation during the community drill last July 28, 2021 | Anitapan, Mabini, Davao De Oro (Photo by Mark Dalin-as for Action Against Hunger)

Community residents of Barangays Anitapan, and San Antonio actively participated in the simulation exercises focusing on landslides and flooding.

MDRRMO representatives demonstrate emergency response through a simulation during the community drill at San Antonio, Mabini, Davao De Oro | July 30, 2021 (Photo by Nino Diez for Action Against Hunger)

COVID-related scenarios and standard health protocols were also included in the drill to test BDRRMC’s capacity in handling multiple hazards. The early warning actions, evacuation camp and management protocols, and community responses had been assessed and evaluated using pre-designed criteria identified in the contingency plans.

Health volunteer in full PPE during the ProACT community drill at Anitapan, Mabini, Davao De Oro | July 28, 2021 (Photo by Vina Menez for Action Against Hunger)

The activities were also held in observance of National Disaster Resilience Month 2021, putting more emphasis on strengthening the capacities of local communities for effective response, and adhering to in-depth rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the midst of a pandemic.

Simulation of emergency rescue operations during the community drill at Anitapan, Mabini, Davao De Oro | July 28, 2021 (Photo by Vina Menez for Action Against Hunger)

Advancing Climate and Disaster Resilience Transformation in the Provinces of Agusan Del Sur, Surigao Del Sur, And Davao De Oro orProACT‘ is a consortium project implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines and Fundacion CODESPA, with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

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USAID-funded DRR Project Strengthens Community Resilience by Empowering Women

We recognize gender inequality as both a cause and effect of hunger. Until now, there are communities where women have less access and control over resources while also having limited participation or representation in decision-making, therefore putting them at risk.

This is why one key strategy of our USAID-funded Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is empowering these women to strengthen their barangay’s resilience through community savings groups (CSG). The main goal of CSGs is to encourage and create a saving culture in the community while offering a unique financial opportunity for participating households.

Photo by Michael Ryan Queman for Action Against Hunger

Last month, 30 women from Barangay Gawang of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao participated in the Community Savings Group Orientation held by Action Against Hunger on June 16, 2021.  Because CSGs provide a level of financial security even without any access to formal banking services, all women gave their commitment to creating a savings group for the barangay. Once established, the collective savings can offer a safety net for the members’ households in times of disasters and other emergency situations.

A community savings group (CSG) is a community-based program where a group of vulnerable and at-risk persons in a community agrees to save a certain amount periodically and depositing the savings in a group account. Savings groups are a way for people without access to formal banking services to access some financial security. Savings groups are owned, managed, and operated by the members, using a simple, transparent method where groups accumulate and convert small amounts of cash into savings that can be used in times of crisis. This way, economic security is increased and financial services are brought closer to communities for promoting secure investment with savings.

The group can further decide to focus on savings or invest in personal or collective livelihood activities to improve household income. In most cases, the group also engages in giving loans. Moreover, not only does the CSG provide potentially better financial opportunities for families but also empowers the participants—in this case, the women of Barangay Gawang—as they engage in financial planning, decision-making, and active community involvement.

Photo by Michael Ryan Queman for Action Against Hunger

‘Strengthening Local Resilience and Building Capacities in Areas at High Risk of Natural Hazards in BARMM, Mindanao’ is a disaster risk reduction (DRR) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) and implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines with the support of local government units and partner stakeholders.

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Department of Social Welfare and Development and MOVE UP consortium sign Memorandum of Understanding to promote disaster resilience


11 December 2020, Manila — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Moving Urban Poor Communities Towards Resilience (MOVE UP) project signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to jointly promote and strengthen resilience, disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation strategies in communities and all levels of governance.

Ceremonial Signing MOU with Move Up Consortium and MOA with NAPC

Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DSWD and Move Up Consortium, and Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DSWD and NAPC, December 11, 2020, DSWD Auditorium Malasakit Building.

Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo!
#DSWDMayMalasakit

Posted by Department of Social Welfare and Development on Thursday, December 10, 2020

The MOVE UP project, funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU-ECHO), is an urban resilience project that aims to help in institutionalizing urban resilience and disaster preparedness mechanisms for urban poor communities across the Philippines. The project is implemented by a consortium of international non-government organizations lead by Action Against Hunger Philippines, with Plan International Philippines, and CARE Philippines, and its local partner ACCORD.

“Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU between DSWD and the MOVE UP consortium on collaboration to promote and strengthen resilience, disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation is a testament of our commitment to support the most vulnerable especially during these trying times,” said DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista.

Specifically, the MOU will facilitate the partnership between the consortium and the DSWD- Sustainable Livelihood Program in developing disaster-resilient livelihoods and to DSWD – Disaster Response Management Bureau in developing Alternative Temporary Shelter (ATS) to safeguard the rights of the internally displaced population (IDP).

“While it is important to sustain resilience building in the LGUs, aligning with the programs of and building partnerships with key institutions is equally, if not, more important. Leading the way, of course, is the DSWD and Sustainable Livelihood Program and also the Disaster Response and Management Bureau,” said Suresh Murugesu, Action Against Hunger Philippines Deputy Country Director.

 

“From the start, we saw the potential for synergy — particularly in our shared vision on ensuring the protection of IDPs through Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM),” Sindhy Obias, ACCORD Executive Director, added.

Implementing since 2016, the MOVE UP project has already documented significant learnings in promoting disaster resilience in the communities, which has been vital in its efforts to contribute to the updating of national-level policies and plans.

“From lessons and successes with partner communities and LGUs, MOVE UP had the opportunity of contributing to the provisions in the recently updated National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (2020-2030),” said CARE Philippines Country Director David Gazashvili.

Through this partnership, the MOVE UP project hopes to reach more people and amplify its efforts in its goal to achieve urban resilience.

“We, in the civil society sector, are very much willing to extend our expertise in helping DSWD perform its mandate and achieve its vision. It’s our pleasure to work with you, co-create knowledge, and collaborate to strengthen our dedication to shared principles, and expand our ability to improve the lives of poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors,” said Chrisnobel Cruz, Plan International Philippines OIC-Country Program Manager.

 

Authored by:
Claudine Complativo
Communications and Advocacy Specialist
MOVE UP Project
Email: [email protected]

Action Against Hunger Unites Local Resilience Efforts with Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Agrarian Reform in BARMM

Photo courtesy of MAFAR-BARMM

Action Against Hunger Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) on July 23, 2020, at the MAFAR Regional Office in Cotabato City, Maguindanao. The objective of the collaboration is to unite efforts in strengthening local resilience and within areas in the region that are greatly susceptible to natural hazards.


“Action Against Hunger’s mandate is to fight and to address food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, so I do believe that this MOU with MAFAR is key for us to jointly address issues that are affecting the most vulnerable in the BARMM Region in a collaborative and coordinated manner”
Thierry Laurent-Badin, Action Against Hunger Philippines Country Director


During the online ceremonial signing, Thierry Laurent-Badin, Country Director of Action Against Hunger Philippines, talked about the importance of the established partnership in promoting the organization’s advocacy. “Action Against Hunger’s mandate is to fight and to address food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, so I do believe that this MOU with MAFAR is key for us to jointly address issues that are affecting the most vulnerable in the BARMM Region in a collaborative and coordinated manner,” said the country director.
 
Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob, Minister of MAFAR-BARMM, on the other hand, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating “I am happy to see this partnership, for me, it is a process of long engagement in the community and I am very grateful to continue the aspirations. I express my thanks to Action Against Hunger and we hope and pray that this is the beginning of a fruitful partnership.”

“I am happy to see this partnership, for me it is a process of long engagement in the community and I am very grateful to continue the aspirations. I express my thanks to Action Against Hunger and we hope and pray that this is the beginning of a fruitful partnership.”Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob, Minister of MAFAR-BARMM


Delilah Chua (Head of Cotabato Base) hosted the ceremony alongside Genaro Sanchez (Head of Project) and Gay Marie Aban (Human Resources Officer). Virtually present to witness the signing were Melinda Buensuceso (Operations Coordinator) and Jasper Llanderal (Head of Iligan Base).

Photo by Rhea Poliquin for Action Against Hunger

‘Strengthening Local Resilience and Building Capacities in Areas at High Risk of Natural Hazards in BARMM, Mindanao’ is a disaster risk reduction (DRR) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) and implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines with the support of local government units.

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