CODE-NGO launches its Blended Learning Approach to Strengthening DRRM (BLAST DRRM) e-learning modules and the Center for Humanitarian Learning and Innovation in partnership with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) is a global learning initiative created to enable people to prepare for and respond to crises in their own countries. It has an established presence in East Africa, Philippines, and Bangladesh and have assessed local needs and worked with partners to develop learning, training and knowledge packages tailored to the context. Its Philippines Academy Centre have succeeded in the scaling out of the Business Continuity Planning/Management to different audiences, piloting of innovative approach for civil society capacity development on Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, reaching 4,254 registered users of Kaya connect Philippines and 2,494 active Kaya learners community.

As an active supporter and advocate for localization agenda, it will continue its operations locally where they are present by partnering with local organizations as affiliates.  This means HLA local operations will be delivered through existing local partners with an established presence, ensuring that they put the localisation agenda into practice.

Here in the Philippines, HLA decided that the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) is the best organization to continue the work of the Academy and meet the needs of learners in the Philippines. Grounded on this partnership, CODE-NGO and HLA launched the CODE-NGO’s Center for Humanitarian Innovation and Learning, as HLA’s exclusive affiliate in the Philippines, during the Social Development Celebration (SDC) and 27^th General Assembly on December 06, 2018. The Center promotes both organizations’ desire to remain relevant and create a network of networks that serve the needs of local audiences by growing the reach of both their programs and services.

Also launched during the SDC were the learning modules for the Blended Learning Approach to Strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (BLAST DRRM). BLAST is a timely, relevant, and innovative learning approach that features a combination of lectures and games, making the learning process interactive and not boring. Its human-centered training design became an experience for participants to enjoy learning. BLAST aims to build resilient communities through fun activities and encouraging people to take advantage of new technologies and methods to learn DRRM. CODE-NGO’s BLAST DRRM online course is accessible here.

This is an exciting time for localization of aid. CODE-NGO and HLA both see that through the launch of BLAST and creating the Center it can be ensured that both organizations’ program and services related to disaster preparedness and humanitarian learning remain relevant, effective and impactful for the Philippines and even beyond.