Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness

The Philippines is one of the top countries in the world at risk of climate-related disaster. For populations subsisting at poverty line in particular but also the nation as whole, daily lives and well being are routinely challenged. The Philippines government tales disaster risk seriously and has devoted significant resources to build disaster capacity and reduce population exposure and vulnerability, nationally and locally. This paper exposes the institutional mechanisms for disaster risk reduction management and research which have been conducted in the Philippines related to disaster preparedness, management and resilience.

The study draws on direct observation of and conversation with disaster management professionals, in addition to a review of what literature on resilience and disaster preparedness, in the Philippines. Numerous activities in community based resilience and DRR have been identified across the whole disaster continum, yet important gaps in research and practice remain.

The Philippines is a leading actor in disaster risk management. However, a full picture of who is doing what, how, when, and where on resilience and disaster preparedness does not waist.