Sulong aral: One La Salle Yolanda disaster rehabilitation and recovery project

• Main Author: Villarin, Nelca Leila B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Subjects: Disaster relief—Philippines—Samar Island; Humanitarian assistance—Philippines—Samar Island; Emergency management—Philippines—Samar Island; Emergency and Disaster Management; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/13292
• Institution: De La Salle University

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of disasters that struck the country have brought out the best and worst in our communities including our academic institutions. While in the past, majority of the members of the academic sector have concentrated their resources in disaster response, there have been efforts already to engage in more sustainable and high impact initiatives. The experiences in disaster response led the academe to reflect on better ways to respond to climate change. The recognition that disaster will be the new normal, prompted them to engage in disaster preparedness and mitigation and develop interventions that will help communities affected by disasters to rehabilitate and recover. The direction shifted from disaster relief towards building more resilient communities particularly the schools. The De La Salle Zobel School (DLSZ) together with the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) was among the first academic institution to respond in Guiuan, Eastern Samar after the landfall of Yolanda in November 2013. A team flew in from Manila to Cebu and Samar to facilitate the relief operation in the area as well as to conduct assessment particularly in affected schools. This paper hopes to provide an overview of the learning derived from the experiences of the team. The process of needs assessment was initially done by the team in the first three months. The data gathered provided basis for decision and subsequent plan for rehabilitation and recovery. Development of a clear framework of engagement and process of entry, implementation and exit in the identified school community was made a priority. The research also included validation of data among stakeholders on the needs and a participatory approach in planning was adopted. This paper attempts to provide an illustration of how academic institutions can build on their strengths and engage in a more sustainable effort in disaster management using the case of Trinidad, Tubabao Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.