CODE-NGO conducted a three-day training workshop on strengthening CSO DRR Hubs from March 10-12, 2020.

For the 6th year of the Advancing CSO Engagement on DRRM-CCA (ACED) Project, a blended learning approach for the CSO Hubs is being utilized. This learning approach is composed of an online self-paced learning and a three-day face-to-face learning using courses on Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s kayaconnect.org. At the end of the training workshop, the participants should be able to enhance their capacity in managing the regional hubs more effectively in carrying out the objectives that they were set out to do on assessment and response planning, communication, coordination, and resource mobilization.

On the first day of the training, the participants reviewed the functions, structure, and important elements of the Hubs, followed by a review on Core Humanitarian Standards led by Center for Humanitarian Learning and Innovation consultant Mark Cervantes. They also learned more about Safeguarding, Cash Transfer Programming and Psycho-social First Aid from resource persons Jing Pura of Christian Aid Philippines. Nora Nesola of Oxfam, and Edlyn Burgonio of ERDA Foundation, respectively.

The following day, the Cordillera, MiMaRoPa and NCR DRR Coordination Hubs exchanged notes on their good practices and challenges in Hub work. Dick Balderrama of PHILSSA ran through a hands-on exercise and role play on Emergency Response Planning process – from assessment to response planning and resource mobilization. All these by applying the lessons on CHS, Safeguarding, Cash Transfer Programming and Psychological First Aid the previous day.

The DRR Coordination Hubs were able to update their Hub Protocols and Emergency Response Fund Policies on the last day of the training. They used Lego Serious Play to envision the roles and functions of the Hubs given new developments and steps they will make to strengthen their groups. They plan to re-echo the training sessions to their provincial Hubs in the coming months until May 2020. They also discussed their roles in getting the right information about covid19 and in informing others in their communities on how to protect themselves.

ACED Year 6 is being supported by Christian Aid in the Philippines.