[Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction] 1

[Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management]

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Module 017. Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

(DRRM)

Executive Summary:
Last week, we covered the key concepts, principles and elements of DRR and underscored its
importance in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families, the community, and
the nation in the face of hazard threats and disaster situations. For this week, we will tackle the
third and fourth objectives related to community based disaster risk reduction and
management and the key steps and processes involved to ensure the protection of lives and
property from the negative impacts of hazards.

At the end of the three parts’ module, you will be able to:
 discuss the key concepts, principles, and elements of DRR;
 recognize the importance of DRR on one’s life;
 discuss different community-based practices for managing disaster risk to specific
hazards;
 develop a community preparedness plan;
 prepare survival kits and materials for one’s family and for public information and
advocacy
We focus on the two highlighted learning objectives for this week.
What is community based disaster risk reduction and management?
Whether a disaster is major or minor or of national or local significance, people in the
communities are the ones adversely affected. To reduce the negative effects of a disaster, they
use coping and survival strategies that enable them to respond to the situation even before
outside help from the government and non-government organizations arrives. Having
experienced damage and loss, they are committed to protect themselves and undertake
community based disaster risk reduction and management (CBDRRM).

Previously referred to as community based disaster management (CBDM) and Community

Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), CBDRRM has been recognized in the Philippines as
a necessary approach to put communities out of harm’s way. Recognizing its benefits, the First
Philippine National Conference on Community Based Disaster Management held in January
2003 jointly organized by the government and non-government organizations called for the

Course Module
widespread replication of CBDM in the Philippines. Among the key benefits of CBDRM
highlighted were enhanced community preparedness, zero casualty during disaster events,
effective response, self-help, optimum use of resources, bayanihan, strengthened community
organizations, and enhanced coordination and networking.

Republic Act 10121 also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
of 2010 defines CBDRRM as “a process of disaster risk reduction and management in which at
risk communities are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, treatment, monitoring and
evaluation of disaster risks in order to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities,
and where the people are at the heart of decision-making and implementation of disaster risk
reduction and management activities.”

Key Steps in CBDRRM

Organizing the community for CBDRRM usually starts with an orientation or training on
CBDRRM. They should be able to participate in the following key steps in CBDRRM:

1. Community Risk Assessment

Community Risk Assessment (CRA) is a participatory process to identify and analyze the
disaster and climate risks faced by the community. Since various groups in the
community have various perceptions on their risks, the participatory risk assessment
involving them unites the community in a common understanding of their hazard
threats, exposed elements at risk, vulnerabilities and capacities. The components of
CRA are as follows:
a) Hazard Assessment - identifying the hazards threats and studying their nature
and behavior
b) Exposure Assessment - elements at risk (who, what, where, how many can be
damaged and suffer loss)
c) Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment - why the elements at risk will be
damaged and people’s coping strategies and resources available for
preparedness, prevention and mitigation, and emergency response.

As was discussed in the previous modules, participatory risk assessment tools are used
to gather risk information so that all can participate and there is also triangulation of
information.

2. Community Disaster Risk Reduction (Community Preparedness) Planning

Planning unites the community and its supporters in commitments and actions to
undertake to reduce disaster risk. The plan is usually called an action plan, a Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR) Plan, or Community Disaster Preparedness Plan. The DRR plan is a
guide in transforming at risk communities to become disaster resilient. It contains do-
 [Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction] 3
[Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management]

able risk reduction (prevention, mitigation, preparedness) solutions, measures or

interventions for the community to undertake in the short-, medium-, and long-term.
RA 10121 defines resilience as “the ability of a system, community or society exposed to
hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and
efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic
structures and functions.”

To review, look at the pictures below. Which depict prevention, mitigation and preparedness?
These are the types of measures contained in the Community DRR Plan or Community
Preparedness Plan.

Figure 1: Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness to Reduce Disaster Risk

Source of Illustration: DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual

Example of a Community Disaster Risk Reduction Plan

Activities Timeframe Resources Who is (or what Budget

Short Term 3- 6 months needed committee is
responsible)
1. Meeting members
of the family for
sharing of learning.
2.Validation of the
result of community
risk assessment
(CRA)
3.Training on

Course Module
 CBDRRM for other
areas and sectors
4.CRA for other
areas
5.Finalization of
plans and budget at
the barangay level
6. Training on Early
Warning
7.Public awareness
campaign
8. Drill or simulation

3. Community Managed Implementation

Risk reduction measures are implemented together with continuing capacity

development in various aspects of DRRM for the community DRRM organization and the
community.

Integral to plan implementation is monitoring and evaluation. The community DRRM

organization leads in the implementation of the action plan, DRR Plan or Community
Disaster Preparedness Plan. Aside from monitoring the progress of plan
implementation, the community DRRM organization continually motivates the
community in plan implementation. This group leads in necessary adjustments, when
necessary, to realize set objectives to reduce exposure and vulnerability.

Evaluation is concerned with the effects and impacts of the implementation of risk
reduction in the community. It mainly answers: “What difference has risk reduction
made in the lives of families, groups and sectors, and the community?” The significance
of building on and developing capacities is also analyzed.

Community Disaster Preparedness

The key contents of the Community Disaster Preparedness plan should be community and
family preparedness measures for relevant hazard threats such as risk assessment, early
warning, evacuation procedures, public awareness and other family preparedness measures
such as preparation of survival kit or go-bag.

1. Early warning
Early warning is the provision of timely and effective information, advisory, and warning to
individuals, families, communities, or populations on:
a) the existence of danger, and
b) what can be done to prevent, avoid, or minimize danger
 [Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction] 5
[Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management]

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR 2006) identified
four inter-related key elements of complete and people-centered early warning system as
follows:
a) Risk Knowledge: Systematically collect data and undertake risk assessment
 Are the hazards and the vulnerabilities well known?
 What are the patterns and trends in these factors?
 Are risk maps and data widely available?
b) Monitoring & Warning Services: Develop hazard monitoring and early warning
services
 Are the right parameters being monitored?
 Is there a sound scientific basis for making forecasts?
 Can accurate and timely warning to be generated?
c) Dissemination & Communication: Communicate risk information and early warnings
 Do warnings reach all of those at risk?
 Are risks and warning understood?
 Is the warning information clear and useable?
d) Response Capability: Build national and community response capabilities
 Are response plans up to date and tested?
 Are local capacities and knowledge made use of?
 Are people prepared and ready to react to warnings?

People-centered or inclusive early warning systems are effective if they meet the following
considerations:
a) Must be given quickly and ahead of time, e.g. before there is flood water in the
community
b) Symbols/signals and corresponding actions to undertake must be understood by all
c) Older people, children, women and persons with disabilities are among community
people who are included in designing, planning, implementing, and updating the
early warning system.
Sample of early warning system phases:
a) Warning Level #1: Standby Stage
b) Warning Level #2: Alert Stage
c) Warning Level #3: Preparatory Stage
d) Warning Level #4: Evacuation Stage

2. Evacuation
Evacuation is the process of moving persons or property from a dangerous or potentially
dangerous place, for reasons of safety and their protection. Evacuation is closely linked to
community risk assessment, early warning system, and public awareness.

Course Module
 General phases of evacuation:

a) Warning
b) Order to Move
c) Actual Evacuation
d) Evacuation Center Management
e) Return to homes or Resettlement to safer place

Plan for Actual Evacuation

a) Identify safe place for evacuation

b) Identify shortest and safest route
c) Identify and prepare alternative routes
d) Place “road signs” along evacuation routes (as necessary)
e) Prepare master list of evacuees and check at pick up points to ensure that all who
need to be evacuated are accounted for
f) Prepare evacuation schedules and groupings in case transportation will be used
g) Organize an Evacuation Committee among community members to manage the
Evacuation or Safety Shelters
h) Identify and prepare requirements during evacuation (arrangements with
transportation owners, gasoline, food, water, communication systems, etc.)

3. Public Awareness
Public Awareness is the process by which the community, especially those at risk, population
understand the nature and behavior of hazards, the potential damage to the elements at risk,
and the protective and safety actions and measures that should be undertaken by individuals,
families and communities.

Public awareness and disaster risk communication are sometimes used interchangeably.
Disaster risk communication is now associated with a broader, more systematic and multi-
stakeholder approach towards identifying, analyzing and treating the disaster risks. This
continuing dialogue among various stakeholders (example between expert and government
authorities with local communities) leads to positive changes in behavior and actions favoring
safety, disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention at the individual, household,
community and society levels.

Elements of Public Awareness:

1. The message
2. The audience
3. The means (Participatory Community Risk Assessment, Disaster Risk Reduction Action
Planning, house-to-house, posters, leaflets, radio, calendars, training workshop, disaster
safety day, etc.)
 [Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction] 7
[Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management]

4. Intended result.

Features of an Effective Public Awareness Program

1. Public awareness should be an ongoing and sustained process, not simply a one-off activity
producing a set of products of posters, leaflets, etc.
2. The target population should be actively involved in design and implementation of the
public awareness program and products in partnership with individuals who have the
communication, technology and art competencies.
3. Public awareness activities, forms and methods should be based on the needs and
characteristics of the target groups or population.
4. Public awareness should be hazard specific, not only informing of the damage or loss, which
can be incurred, but also on the precautionary and protective actions to undertake
5. Public Awareness should be part of the local community warning and response system.
6. Simple and easily understandable language

In 2014, the Department of Interior and Local Government as Vice Chair of Disaster
Preparedness in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council launched
OPERATION LISTO with three key components – (1) LISTONG Pamahalaan Lokal (LGU); LISTONG
Pamayanan (Community); and (3) LISTONG Pamilya (Family).

Figure 2: Gabay at Mapa para sa LIstong Pamilyang Pilipino

Course Module
References and Supplementary Materials
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, July 2008; Participant’s Workbook, 17th Regional
Learning Workshop on Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction, Bangkok, ADPC.

Congress of the Philippines, Republic Act 10121,

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10121_2010.html

DepEd, 2008, Department of Education, Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual,

Manila

Department of Interior and Local Government, Gabay at Mapa Para sa Pamilyang

Pilipino, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hzS-Th1MSE

UNISDR, 2006, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Geneva