CODE-NGO jumpstarts DRRM-CCA Training for its member networks

CODE-NGO, with Christian Aid’s support, jumpstarted its capacity building training and workshop on disaster risk reduction and management – climate change adaptation (DRRM-CCA) for its member networks in the project titled, “Advancing CSO Engagement in DRRM-CCA or ACED Project , last January 27-31, 2014, at the Institute of Social Order (ISO) Ateneo de Manila University.

Prior to the training workshop, from July to December 2013, representatives from twelve (12) member networks of CODE-NGO worked on developing a DRRM-CCA module that contains basic concepts and principles, mainstreaming DRRM-CCA into the organization’s plans and programs/projects, participatory community-based DRRM, positioning of DRRM-CCA in governance and local planning, and humanitarian emergency response concepts and principles. 

More than Your Cup of Disaster Preparedness

The ACED training aimed to level-off and strengthen the DRRM-CCA capacities of CODE-NGO’s member networks on the roles of CSOs in DRRM-CCA, particularly in planning, implementation and evaluation of plans, and emphasize integration of humanitarian standards in emergency response and interventions to protect the rights and welfare of vulnerable sectors.

One of the participants, Mr. Jonathan Castillo from MINCODE, commented that, “Mainstreaming DRRM in the work place hasn’t been done yet in other offices. It is important to replicate the training to the community level.” He added that, “The training should result in being able to make concrete contingency plans with the participation of communities and LGUs.” 

DRRM-CCA CSO CHAMPIONS

Twenty eight (28) DRRM-CCA participants from CODE-NGO’s 12 member networks, member base organizations and secretariat were trained in the first batch of the ACED training. The trainers and mentors, coming from those who participated in the module development, together with the participants constitute the community of DRRM-CCA champions within their respective networks and the CODE-NGO network. Following the training, the CSO champions are expected to implement their re-entry action plans, mainstream DRRM-CCA into their organization plans and their LGU engagements. They are set to meet again for a learning exchange/community of practice sharing in the second quarter of 2014.

Mr. Marlon Perilla from CENVISNET, summarizes the end of the training learning quite nicely by saying, “When we empower communities on disaster risk reduction management, we don’t just impart knowledge to them but more importantly, we provide communities with hope.” – Carissa Galla, Project Assistant, ACED