Enhancing Resilience through Disability-Inclusive Community-Based DRR

behind in the event of a calamity. Yet, the same study also shows that if given sufficient time, the number of Persons with Disabilities who could evacuate without difficulty doubles. This points to the importance of putting in place risk reduction measures which ensure that timely life-saving information reach all members of the community despite any barriers to mobility or communication, and that at-risk groups in particular are provided the means with which to act on such information. Despite this, the marginalization of Persons with Disabilities in disaster management remains apparent. In the Philippines, while there is an existing law advancing the welfare of Persons with Disabilities, i.e. the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons (RA 7277), the risks that they face, their roles, and their rights during disasters are not mentioned or addressed nor are there any provisions specified for Persons with Disabilities in cases of emergencies. Similarly, while the Philippine DRRM Law acknowledges the need to capacitate “vulnerable and marginalized” groups including the “differently-abled”, disability inclusion still needs to be operationalized in national and local DRR action plans. With this, the proposed project aims to build on the gains of Phase 1 in promoting a disability inclusive community-based disaster risk management (DI-CBDRM) in Haiyan-affected areas in adherence to the Dhaka Declaration and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which require that Persons with Disabilities benefit from and participate in DRRM processes and strategies. Building on the principles of participation, accessibility, and non-discrimination, this project seeks to strengthen capacities of Persons with Disabilities and other community sectors and municipal DRR actors in advancing DI-CBDRM. Using the purok system, an internationally renowned participatory whole-of-community approach to DRR developed in San Francisco Cebu, disability inclusion has already been integrated in community DRR initiatives in two pilot barangays in the 3rd class municipality of Tabogon in Northern Cebu. As a background, the northern part of Cebu Province was among those most badly hit by Haiyan with an estimated 1,680,000 people affected, with around 90% of infrastructure in typhoon-stricken areas totally destroyed. However, while humanitarian aid poured in for many of the Northern Municipalities of Cebu, Tabogon relatively received less attention due to its remoteness, located 86 kilometers Northeast of Cebu City off the National Highway. In the wake of Haiyan, Tabogon reported heavy damage across all its 25 barangays. A total of 9,782 families were affected and 7,393 houses were destroyed. Despite the substantial destruction experienced in the Municipality, humanitarian assistance was limited to relief goods (food and non-food), shelter materials, and some cash-for-work programs. In fact, only 12 out of the 25 barangays received housing materials from various donors such as Action Aid, Caritas Switzerland, RAFI, and other organizations and government agencies. What is painfully invisible in the post-Haiyan damage and needs assessment reports for the municipality, however, is the condition of Persons with Disabilities. Accounts of members of the local DPO called Tabogon Persons with Disabilities Association (TPWDA) describe how difficult it had been for them to evacuate from their homes when the typhoon struck, how evacuation centers were unable to cater to their particular needs, and how it was especially hard for them to reach relief distribution centers when transportation was not accessible to many. Moreover, according to an officer of TPWDA, post-disaster rehabilitation interventions providing support to Persons with Disabilities have been mainly limited to shelter assistance reaching only about 24 individuals, and only those below the age of 25 (provided by Norfil Foundation). This is alarming given that 2.2% of the population of Tabogon accounted for individuals with physical or mental disabilities (2010 National Census). This is exacerbated by the lack of institutional support in implementing R.A. 10121 that specifically addresses conditions of at-risk groups in DRR structures and processes. On the other hand, DPOs and many other at-risk groups do not have representation in the local councils, and there remains inadequate budget for Persons with Disabilities (Php 50,000/year or EUR 1,000). Despite these limitations, however, the LGU, the MSWDO, and the local DPO have expressed their willingness to support and participate in this project. Given this, opportunities for integrating disability inclusion in DRR are present as rehabilitation phases in post-disaster settings also provide a good entry point towards rebuilding not just better infrastructure, but also more inclusive and disability-sensitive communities, which are vital elements for resilience. A2D Project believes that resilience can only be attained if all members of the community, especially those most at risk and marginalized, are given the opportunities to participate and play an active role in development processes which includes disaster risk reduction. Thus, inclusion is not an option but a necessity. This project builds on the proponent’s existing work on DRR, climate change adaptation, and inclusive development. At present, A2D Project is implementing inclusive DRR projects, i.e., promoting child-centered DRM; and organizing at-risk groups to raise resilience as a means to prevent human trafficking in island communities. Lastly, this proposed project contributes to achieving the organization’s vision and commitment to create a society that is inclusive, democratic and just.