A2D Project Partners with UNICEF in Promoting Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction in Haiyan-Affected Northern Cebu

Cebu City, Philippines – In line with its advocacy of promoting disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in vulnerable communities, A2D Project – Research Group for Alternatives to Development Inc. recently launched a project funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) entitled “Strengthening Capacities for a Child-centered Disaster Risk Reduction in the Municipalities of Bantayan and Daanbantayan in the Aftermath of Haiyan” or S3CDRRM.

S3CDRRM is a community-based initiative that recognizes the important role of children in the furtherance of risk reduction efforts. In particular, the project seeks to capacitate children and other community and municipal DRRM actors in advancing child-centered disaster risk reduction and management (CC-DRRM) at the municipal and barangay levels. In 12 months, S3CDRRM will undertake institutional capacity development on Child-Centered DRRM for the Local Government Units of Bantayan and Daanbantayan, two of the hardest hit municipalities during the onslaught of super typhoon Haiyan. In addition, In order to establish good practices in community-based child-centered DRRM, the project operates in two pilot barangays namely, Barangay Patao in Bantayan and Barangay Poblacion in Daan Bantayan. Other activities include the advocacy for the promotion of safer schools and the mobilization of informal community structures particularly youth volunteers for disaster risk reduction.

Since the project’s commencement in September 2014, the project has not only engaged different stakeholders in conducting trainings and planning, it has also facilitated building relationships with other international and local NGOs who are also working in these Haiyan-affected areas. From municipal planning workshops to basic DRR trainings to children’s dialogues to school safety audits done by children, the project hopes to slowly contribute to the dream of achieving disaster resilience.

This initiative is undertaken in partnership with Young Heroes for Cebu and Bisdak Pride.