Filipinos, perhaps, are the most prepared and resilient people in the face of disasters. They are nonchalant and shrug off every calamity that come their way.
They cope with unfortunate events with their bahala na or fatalism attitude and accept unfortunate events as part life’s challenges.
Gustavo González, UN resident coordinator in the Philippines, is amazed at how Filipinos deal with disasters during his frequent visits to the country. He has concluded that the United Nations’ standard toolkit for humanitarian and development programming may not be the ideal model for disaster response.
Ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction last Sunday, Mr Gonzalez is learning that the affected people are in the best position to decide what they need and where the UN can add value in the aftermath of a disaster.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself recognized the resiliency of the Philippines during the opening of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction hosted by Manila.
“Much has been said of the resilience of the Filipino spirit. While nature has gifted us with natural wonders, it has reminded us of its formidable power. We are visited by more than 20 tropical cyclones in a year,” he said. “Still, we remain Asia’s engine of growth. We find ourselves at a critical juncture.”
Around 4,000 delegates from 70 countries gathered in Manila to stress the urgency of strengthening regional efforts to ensure a safer future for all.
Mr. Gonzalez, meanwhile, cannot help but notice the Filipino brand of resilience to natural disasters. He notes that the exposure to disasters and the vulnerability to climate change have compelled Filipinos to cultivate a unique sense of resilience.
The “saving lives” spirit is widely spread within local communities, UN News quoted him as saying. As Filipinos frequently say, “as long as there is life, there is hope.”
The Philippines is the most prone to natural hazards in the world and they are becoming more intense due to climate change.
The UN, in response, has been coordinating with the Philippines to prepare for a wide range of disasters.
“The Philippines, with its (7,100) islands and many coastal cities, has always been extremely vulnerable to intense weather events and natural hazards. Each year there are some 20 typhoons, and many can transform into super typhoons, which are very destructive extreme weather events,” says the UN coordinator.
But Filipinos have a simple set of priorities in preparing for and coping with disasters. Granting them small financial assistance to help them carry their valuable assets to evacuation centers and stock up on food is all they need before rebuilding their homes.
The Philippines ranks first globally in the World Risk Index that measures vulnerability and exposure to natural extreme events. That makes Filipinos inure to disasters, including volcano eruptions, earthquakes and the seasonal typhoons.
Mr. Gonzalez now realizes how the diverse geography of the Philippines influences the priorities and requirements of the Filipinos in coping with disasters.
“When I visited an area affected by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, I assumed that it would share the same cultural identity and political dynamics as other parts of the country, but this was far from the case,” he notes.
“Even on a tiny island you can be confronted with totally different socioeconomic realities, in locations just a few kilometers apart. While one community may ask for mobile phones to rapidly re-establish communications and put solidarity in motion, the neighboring community may require livelihood support or just some materials to start rebuilding their homes,” he says.
“I remember one inspirational local leader on Dinagat island who was very clear about the priorities of her community following a super typhoon. She respectfully questioned some of our standard and globally practiced humanitarian interventions. She argued that some items were superfluous, while highlighting gaps in other areas, and requested a customized response to improve the effectiveness of the response.”
Mr. Gonzalez surmised that incorporating the wealth of local knowledge into the humanitarian response is a paradigm shift away from the UN’s standard approach. “Portraying affected communities just as a combination of needs and vulnerabilities is oversimplifying a complex reality. Developing the humility to listen, discover and genuinely engage with communities is an absolute requirement,” he concluded.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
