Building disaster-resilient communities through volunteering

02/06/2011 11:00:00

VSO Bahaginan is now more equipped to work with communities in mobilizing national and local volunteers for organizational development, community education and climate change adaptation.

Attending the recent Executive Course on International and National Humanitarian Interventions in Disaster Management hosted by Miriam College, VSO Bahaginan associates Jay Ancheta, Judah Aliposa and returned volunteer James Zamora are now engaging local community partners to champion projects on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable to climate change, particularly susceptible to multiple climate hazards like tropical cyclones, floods, sea level rise, landslides and drought. Over the last decade, the Philippines ranked 10th in the 2007 Global Climate Risk Index.

The course gave the participants an overview of the global and regional impact of climate change and an understanding of the geo-hazards in the Philippines including government's disaster preparedness and mitigation plans. It also touched on humanitarian standards, principles and health emergency management systems, best practices in addressing the needs of the marginalised and vulnerable, and strengthening disaster work with volunteers.

“The course was an opportunity for VSO Bahaginan to map out local resource and opportunities for partnerships, especially in areas where partners and national volunteers can work together to contribute to community disaster preparedness,” National Volunteering Programme Officer Jay Ancheta said.

Volunteers working with local agencies

VSO Bahaginan aims to organize groups that will provide community education and disaster-preparedness training to partners and communities. One of these partners is the Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA) in Surigao del Sur, Mindanao. LBDA is working with government and non-government organisations to develop an integrated municipal forest land-use plan that will allow standardised approach in managing natural resources of the seven municipalities facing the Pacific Ocean.

Another partner that stand to benefit from the training soon is the Matarinao Bay Management Council in Eastern Samar, Visayas which mobilises local volunteers working with key government agencies in conserving fisheries and aquatic resources, and empowering women and men for alternative livelihoods.

Jay added, “Volunteers are crucial in the work of partners in order to build disaster-resilient communities.”