July 10, 2023
A one-day seminar on Community-based Disaster Management (CBDM) was held for the members of each of the people’s organizations in the four areas in June and July 2023. It was held on June 18 for Sitio Wang Yu, June 23 for Sitio Nangka Ville, July 1 for Sitio Tierra Dulce and July 2 for Sitio Lawis.
Topics included definition of disaster, risk, vulnerability, and capacity, the different types of disasters, and the sectors vulnerable to the effects of disasters. A disaster is a sudden, catastrophic event that causes significant disruption to normal life, resulting in substantial damage, loss of life, injury, property damage, and economic and environmental impacts. Disasters can be natural (e.g., earthquakes, floods) or man-made (e.g., industrial accidents, fires). They often overwhelm the ability of communities or authorities to cope using their own resources.
A risk is the probability or likelihood of a disaster occurring and the potential impact it could have. It is a function of the hazard, the vulnerability of people and property, and the capacity to mitigate or manage the hazard. Vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of a community or system to the adverse effects of a disaster. Vulnerability is influenced by factors such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and social inequality. Capacity refers to the resources, skills, and abilities available to individuals, communities, or organizations to anticipate, cope with, and recover from the impacts of a disaster.
The last topic was an orientation about Community-based Disaster Management Program (CBDM), its history in the Philippines, objectives, characteristics and formation of Community Disaster Management Committee (CDMC) in each area.
The CBDM actively involves community members in all stages of disaster management, including identifying local risks, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It empowers communities to take ownership of disaster preparedness and response efforts, fostering local leadership and resilience.
By involving community members, the program builds local capacity and resilience, making communities better prepared for future disasters. Community participation fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more effective and sustained disaster management efforts.
The resource persons in the seminars stressed that community-based disaster management program should emphasize community involvement and capacity building to enhance overall resilience.
