CSOs call for building national resilience in light of Yolanda/Haiyan
After the inexplicable wrath brought about by tropical storm Yolanda/Haiyan, it is but necessary to plan and be equipped in order to save more lives and assets during disasters. Civil society organizations (CSOs) convened in a Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA) Summit to exchange learnings and look into ways to help communities build back better. Ten key statements were formed to capture the recommendations and proposed actions in developing national resilience. Participants of the Summit were 110 individuals representing 82 CSOs across the Philippines. The DRR-CCA Summit was held in Cebu City last March 26-27, 2014.
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The threat of extreme weather events is a reality for the Philippines. In addition, climate models suggest that higher storm surges and increasingly intense storms in Asia may become the norm, not the exception. Haiyan is yet another deadly warning of what much of the world can expect unless we can reduce disaster risks and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
This most recent disaster will increase poverty in affected areas where poverty levels are already some of the highest in the Philippines, especially among poor women, subsistence farmers and fishers, elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors. Their vulnerability coupled with further exposure to hazards will put at risk more lives and assets if left unaddressed. This has prompted civil society organizations (CSOs) across the country to come together in a Summit and through their shared learning, challenges, experiences, and expertise, explore solutions to help affected communities get back on their feet and provide input on how the country as a whole should improve its disaster preparedness and management capacities.
These CSOs believe that disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) work must be done with a long-term perspective, alongside and in partnership with communities, the private sector, and local governments, and CSOs.
The Haiyan recovery and rehabilitation efforts provide an opportunity to take stock of the gains and areas for improvement. The CSO Summit has come up with 10 key statements to encapsulate recommendations and proposed actions in building national resilience, with Haiyan-devastated areas as springboards for transformative change.
– THE DRR-CCA CSO Summit, 26-27 March 2014, Cebu City