PH, EU launch disaster risk reduction and management program to enhance LGUs readiness capacities

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program Launched to Enhance Local Government Units Readiness Capacities

Introduction

The Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the European Union (EU), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group have launched a disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) program in the Philippines. The program aims to enhance the readiness capacities of local government units (LGUs) and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Program Objectives

The Disaster Risk Reduction Enhancement at the Local Level Technical Assistance (DRREALL TA) Program, co-funded by the EU and AFD, aims to support the DILG in reinforcing LGUs’ capabilities in key DRRM aspects. The program will focus on addressing critical gaps such as risk-informed planning, integrated capacity development strategies, effective utilization of local DRRM funds, and gender-sensitive and socially inclusive disaster response. It also aims to facilitate high-level policy dialogue among government and non-government stakeholders to foster co-ownership and accountability.

Program Details

The DRREALL TA Program, implemented by Expertise France, will run from 2024 to 2027 in close partnership with DILG, LGUs, partner national agencies, and French institutions. The program has a budget of EUR4.28 million or PHP256 million and accompanies a programmatic policy-based loan of EUR250 million from the French government to the Government of the Philippines in 2021.

Importance of the Program

The DRREALL Program is a fitting solution to the Philippines’ ongoing battle against climate change. Given the country’s archipelagic nature, each locality faces its own unique set of challenges and vulnerabilities. The program empowers LGUs to develop climate projects and programs tailored to their specific needs, ensuring sensitivity to localities and increasing the likelihood of achieving positive impacts for the people.

Statements from Stakeholders

• Secretary Ralph G. Recto from the DOF: “This [DRREALL Program] will allow us to empower our local government units as we develop climate projects and programs uniquely tailored to their specific needs. By doing so, we ensure sensitivity to localities and increase the likelihood of achieving the greatest positive impact for our people.”
• EU Ambassador Luc Véron: “This project responds fully to the Government’s objective to address Climate Change in a more effective and coordinated manner, and should help to take practical steps and support LGUs to move from plans to action.”
• DILG Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan: “The strengthening of LGUs in delivering devolved services will always be at the forefront of our vision for a climate resilient Philippines. We encourage all stakeholders identified in the implementation of the DRREALL TA activities to pledge their active engagement, valuable knowledge, and technical expertise for the successful implementation of the Program.”
• AFD Executive Director of All Countries’ Operation Philippe Orliange: “Through a EUR250 million policy-based operation in 2021, AFD demonstrated its commitment to a long-term partnership with the Philippines on a territorial approach to enhance adaptation capacities to climate change.”

Panel Discussion and Program Impact

A panel discussion on the Philippines’ disaster risk management followed the launch of the DRREALL TA Program. The panel included representatives from DILG, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), AFD, and Expertise France. The program aims to address the country’s high disaster risk ranking and multiple exposures to natural hazards such as flooding, storm surges, typhoons, and landslides. The Philippines experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year, causing significant loss of life and economic damages.

Conclusion

The DRREALL TA Program is a significant step towards enhancing the readiness capacities of LGUs in the Philippines. By addressing critical gaps in disaster risk reduction and management, the program aligns with the SDGs and contributes to the country’s efforts in climate adaptation and resilience improvement.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
   • Indicator 11.5.2: Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP).

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
   • Indicator 17.14.1: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article discusses the launch of a disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) program in the Philippines, which is connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:

• Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 11.5.2: Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP).
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 13.1.2: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies.
• Indicator 17.14.1: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development.

The article mentions the need to reduce the number of deaths, people affected, and economic losses caused by disasters, which aligns with the indicators 11.5.1 and 11.5.2 under SDG 11. It also highlights the importance of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, which relates to indicators 13.1.1 and 13.1.2 under SDG 13. Additionally, the article emphasizes the need for partnerships and policy coherence for sustainable development, which corresponds to indicator 17.14.1 under SDG 17.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: eeas.europa.eu

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.