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Situated along the Agos River and lying at the foot of Sierra Madre Mountain, the two municipalities of Infanta and General Nakar in Quezon province, Philippines, have always been exposed to the threat of disaster, the most recent and most devastating of which occurred in November 2004. In response to the need to reduce the risk in these areas, the Social Action Center (SAC) in cooperation with Christian Aid and DFID, implements
the Community-Based Early Warning System (EWS) project in these two municipalities. The project aimed to mitigate the impact of disaster and develop preparedness measures in Infanta and General Nakar through the installation of a systematic communication and early warning system. It is designed to raise the awareness and build the capacity of the barangay officials and community leaders in sixteen (16) selected communities through the reactivation and strengthening of the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council.
The early warning system is community-based and people centered. The early warning system specifically uses radio communication technology capable of reaching the whole community, and is envisioned to improve the monitoring and forecasting of information to guide communities in their preparation in times of disaster. It is not only community-based and people-centered; it also reflects a new way of thinking about disaster preparedness, using a multi-hazard system that ensures environmental stability, and integrates local and indigenous wisdom and knowledge in identifying early signs related to changes in weather patterns such as animal behavior, bird migration, changes in rivers, vegetation and the like.
Aside from raising people's awareness regarding hazards and disasters, the EWS project has also provided a means and a system for people to identify when hazards (flash flood/flooding) may be damaging and when timely evacuation should take place, thereby altering their exposure to hazards and minimizing the impacts of impending disasters.
The project also enhances the adaptive capacity of the 16 vulnerable surrounding communities by:
Lessons Learned
2011-10-25 07:30:45
from ASEAN DRR Portal, Feb. 11, 2011
the Community-Based Early Warning System (EWS) project in these two municipalities. The project aimed to mitigate the impact of disaster and develop preparedness measures in Infanta and General Nakar through the installation of a systematic communication and early warning system. It is designed to raise the awareness and build the capacity of the barangay officials and community leaders in sixteen (16) selected communities through the reactivation and strengthening of the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council.
The early warning system is community-based and people centered. The early warning system specifically uses radio communication technology capable of reaching the whole community, and is envisioned to improve the monitoring and forecasting of information to guide communities in their preparation in times of disaster. It is not only community-based and people-centered; it also reflects a new way of thinking about disaster preparedness, using a multi-hazard system that ensures environmental stability, and integrates local and indigenous wisdom and knowledge in identifying early signs related to changes in weather patterns such as animal behavior, bird migration, changes in rivers, vegetation and the like.
Aside from raising people's awareness regarding hazards and disasters, the EWS project has also provided a means and a system for people to identify when hazards (flash flood/flooding) may be damaging and when timely evacuation should take place, thereby altering their exposure to hazards and minimizing the impacts of impending disasters.
The project also enhances the adaptive capacity of the 16 vulnerable surrounding communities by:
- Strengthening the risk management capacity of the communities along the Agos River by forming, training and strengthening response units and developing contingency plans.
- Installation and operation of an Early Warning System such as two way radio communication system, establishment of flood watch points and installation of manual rain gauges.
- Coordinating efforts with the MDCCs of Infanta and General Nakar, & other organizations and institutions to establish social support networks on disaster risk reduction.
- Linking with scientific agencies like PAGASA, Manila Observatory and UP-NIGS to receive accurate and scientific data of climate forecasting.
- Relay climate forecasts to the communities to prepare for farming anddetermine crops to be planted.
Lessons Learned
- Project implementation will run successfully if partnership with all the stakeholders in the locality is firmly established
- Vigorous involvement of the community raises the consciousness of the population and guarantees the efficiency of the project result.
- People's direct participation in project implementation develops their confidence and capacity to perform tasks beneficial for the whole community.
- Use of two-way radio is the most efficient means of transmitting message given the geographical condition of the area as cell phones are often unreliable in places without electricity and in locations where signal is difficult to obtain.
- A high-value project can be achieved and implemented with less investment by utilizing all available resources and establishing partnership and coordination with different sectors both local and outside the program area.
- The early warning system has a vital role on enhancing adaptive capacity to climate change. Climate forecasting by academic and scientific institutions that is brought to the local level can help agricultural communities in ensuring the security of their livelihoods and protection of local lives and assets.
- Local government units should be persuaded to establish additional preparedness and mitigation measures apart from the present emergency disaster plan to further minimize the negative impact of disasters
- Volunteers need to be effectively trained in the assessment and interpretation of data. Linkages with scientific and government agencies that can assist in the accurate interpretation of data must be established.
- A common, simple and defined system operational system for early warning can prevent panic that may lead to more damages.
- There is great value in combining indigenous wisdom / systems with scientific knowledge / systems in terms of cost effectiveness and instilling a sense of community contribution or participation.
