Case Study

Strengthening disaster preparedness in the Philippines

The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to changes due to global warming’s erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels. This is why Alight is collaborating with local communities to ensure that people there can construct safer, more secure lives.

Alight Philippines

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Over the past decade, climate change has caused an annual average of 21.5 million displacements worldwide—more than twice the number resulting from conflict and violence. The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to these changes due to global warming’s erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels. Additionally, prevalent poverty restricts the population's ability to prevent or manage the consequences of these disasters.

Case in point, in 1990 Typhoon Ruping caused considerable damage to the infrastructure of Cebu City, including the destruction of approximately 60% of all its buildings. Then, in 2013, the effects of Typhoon Hayan led the government to place the city under a state of national calamity.

Alight

This is why Alight is collaborating with local communities in Cebu City and in remote and underserved areas to strengthen early warning systems, reduce risk, coordinate government efforts, and foster public education. We are working to:  

  • Establish disaster preparedness committees and community-based disaster management and risk reduction plans  
  • Advocate for legislation and policy development to strengthen disaster risk reduction policies and ensuring enforcement of its laws and regulations
  • Conduct training on disaster risk reduction, organizational management, agroecology, and establish self-help groups for women  
  • Assist in disaster risk management and enhancing climate-related geohazard maps and related tools  
  • Build the capacity of local partners to become self-sustainable

These projects are geared towards survivor and community-led responses, a way of working that recognizes that crisis-affected people are the first and last responders in any disaster.  

Alight

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We are paving the way for a more resilient future and ensuring that millions can construct safer, more secure lives in the face of a changing climate. By the end of 2026, we will have enhanced the capacity for climate resilience among the four million individuals in the most vulnerable communities, and these efforts will indirectly benefit approximately 12 million additional people in the surrounding areas.

Alight

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