The BDRC Learning Circle

Training on Emergency Assessment and Response Planning

Rigorous Module Preparation for DRR Course

10-day Intensive DRR Course for Community Practitioners

Engagement with government-lead agencies and negotiators on climate risks and climate change.

Collaboration on Climate Risk Assessments

Policy Advocacy (SNAP and the DRM Bill)

Collaboration in the Pilot Project Implementation (Case of SAM Ipil and PhilRice)

Background

•Came about as response to need expressed by partners working with disaster-stricken communities

•Mounting demand for disaster response and preparedness as a result of more frequent and more intense disasters

•Non-DMP partners having no choice but to respond


Evolution of the BDRC Learning Circle

I. Meeting of Christian Aid Partners working in Disaster-Prone Areas

Practical and humble intentions:
–Compare notes and learn from each other
–Create mutual support mechanism: joint rapid disaster assessment teams

Identification of further knowledge and skills gaps

Process led to recognition of need to link up with scientific/research/technology institutions


II. Community-Based Organizations Meet Scientific and Research Organizations on Disaster

Leveling-off understanding on disaster risk reduction

Validation of information

Sharing each others needs

Identification of policy issues

Planning joint activities


III. Regular BDRC Learning Circle Sessions

The Learning Circle meets at least twice a year. However, because of jointly planned activities, they are actually able to meet more often.

Now formed clusters for deepening exchange and learning around specialized DRR issues: urban, coastal.

Investing Partnerships for Disaster Resilience

In the Philippines, the program engaged Christian Aid partners in a participatory and collaborative process leading to the preparation of the BDRC strategic plan in the Philippines.

The plan includes the formation of the learning circles, the conduct of an intensive DRR course, community-based capacities and vulnerabilities analyses, the preparation of DRR plans and the piloting of DRR projects.

Together with other stakeholders, BDRC strategies, methods and learning experiences will be documented and shared through DRR field schools.Following the planning process is the organization of a Learning Circle that aims to facilitate the learning exchange among and between CA partners, academic and research institutions and other stakeholders in the conduct of a DRR intensive course, community-based capacities and vulnerability analyses, preparation of institutional DRR plans.

Currently, it is composed of representatives from CA, CA partners and academic and research institutions. The learning circle is a recommendatory body to the BDRC. Among the members of the said learning circle are Manila Observatory, some scientists from the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, UP Los Banos, UP in the Visayas, the UP College of Social Work and Community Development and CA partners like the Social Action Center (prelature of Infanta), Coastal Core Sorsogon, COPE Bicol, PhilNet-Visayas, Unlad Kabayan, CERD Samar, FORGE, MUCAARD, Social Action Ministry (Ipil), CARD Davao, MAHAL in Mindoro and MACEC in Marinduque. The first output of the partnership was the preparation for and the conduct of the intensive DRR course from 14-26 October 2007.