Projects > Brief descriptions > Disaster Preparedness in the Eastern Visayas

Contact person

For further information please contact:
Dr Walter Salzer
Email: walter.salzer@gtz.de

Disaster Preparedness in the Eastern Visayas

Project description

Title: Programme on Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (Environmental sector programme) Component: Disaster Preparedness in the Eastern Visayas
Commissioned by: European Commission (Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid – DG ECHO); German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Philippines
Lead executing agency: Provincial governments and municipalities in four provinces of the Eastern Visayas region
Overall term: 2007 to 2010

Context

The Philippines are frequently devastated by natural disasters. Typhoons, for instance, are a regular phenomenon, accompanied by heavy rainfall that causes flooding, landslides and mudslides. These in turn destroy valuable agricultural land and settlements, and claim many lives every year. Other hazards exist in the form of eruptions of the Mayon or Mount Pinatubo volcanoes and, less frequently, earthquakes. The extent of the damage sustained every year amounts to 0.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Disaster preparedness is for the most part still seen as emergency management. A more encompassing approach that incorporates disaster preparedness and the integration of disaster risk management in other development activities is far from widespread. The local administrations run special disaster preparedness institutions known as disaster coordinating councils. A number of other government institutions deal with specific aspects of disaster risk management. Nevertheless, neither the population nor the majority of government agencies are adequately prepared to put preventive measures into action and to implement the right measures in the event of an emergency.

Objective

The population and local administrations are able to respond adequately to natural disasters. As a result, negative impacts of natural events are reduced and the living conditions of the population improved.

Approach

The project builds on disaster preparedness activities already in progress. It cooperates closely with the population affected, with local institutions, national authorities, local administrations and other organisations. The following results are being targeted:

Local administrations will apply measures to reduce and prevent risks.
Six flood early warning systems are to be fully installed and function reliably.
Tried and tested methods of disaster preparedness will be employed, such as flood-resistant rice varieties.
Knowledge and awareness of local natural hazards and risks will be increased.
Disaster risk management will be integrated in the local land-use and development planning process.

Examples of relevant activities include the drawing-up of hazard maps, the provision of equipment for and training in flood early warning systems, training for emergency situations, information campaigns, budgeting in the municipal budget and the integration of disaster preparedness in the school curriculum.

Systematic cooperation with the other components of the environmental sector programme guarantees optimum utilisation of resources, at the same time strengthening existing partnerships with local and international institutions in order to achieve the common goals.

Results achieved so far

A regional map that identifies natural hazards has highlighted and impressed the situation upon policy-makers and the population at risk. A manual on earthquake-resistant construction techniques is aiding builders and property owners. Villages have been given assistance in drawing up emergency plans and analysing risks. Two of the six flood early warning systems planned have been in operation since April 2009. The remaining four systems will enter service in the coming months. The initial test phase for integration of disaster preparedness into local school curricula has been completed.

Following the large landslide in Suedleyte in February 2006, in which more than 1,000 people lost their lives, GTZ has provided substantial support for emergency and rescue measures.