Safety and resiliency through community-based learning materials in natural disaster preparedness

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the local knowledge and practices of the people in disaster-prone communities before, during, and after disasters, determine the levels of disaster preparedness, resiliency, and safety of the people, and develop community-based learning materials. Using simple random sampling based on pre-determined criteria, five municipalities were identified as study sites. A total of 366 respondents from the 12 participating secondary schools were sources of quantitative data while 63 participants in the focus group discussions and interviews were the sources of qualitative data. Findings of the study revealed that people in the communities shared local funds of knowledge founded on mutual trust or "confianza", thereby inculcating the spirit of "sama-sama" that they demonstrate when disasters strike their locale. The study revealed that actions and decisions taken in disaster-prone communities at the time of disaster were strongly influenced by the following local knowledge: strong faith in God saves, family is the priority, prior experiences are good learning avenues, beliefs had helped during disasters, and signals from nature are good warning signs. Students who were aware of and even practiced their local beliefs bring this knowledge to school. Based on their experiences, most of the communities were not prepared for the disasters. Panic, unavailability of emergency plans and emergency bags, and uncoordinated information system characterized the communities. Only few barangay were able to create their response teams and conducted information drive. "Bagting" and "banting" and "sulay" were the predominant pre-disaster practices. In relation to future disasters, the communities are now better prepared to face them. The study further revealed that teachers and students had moderately high level of disaster preparedness, safety, and resiliency. Exposure to multiple disasters, learning, awareness of DRR activities in their households and communities, preventive/mitigating measures learned from prior disaster experiences, and strong spirituality were the contributing factors. Hindering factors, on the other hand, were over-estimating beliefs, lack of drills at the barangay levels, and having no emergency plans and bags. The identified gaps/needs/barriers in relation to disaster preparedness of the communities were inadequate awareness of precautionary measures and knowledge about tsunami, landslide, typhoon, floods, and storm surge; inadequate awareness about science-based disaster preparedness practices; need for psychosocial interventions; need for more information materials about disasters; limited disaster trainings; and undermanned local DRRM offices. These gaps/needs/ barriers were addressed in the learning material titled "Choose to be safe: A Community-based Supplementary Booklet to Boost Disaster Preparedness".