COVID-19 remains to be an unfamiliar threat that currently has the world in distress. Despite the fact that the Philippines has amassed extensive experience and knowledge on reducing risks and building resilience amidst natural disasters, conflict, changing climate, and degraded ecosystems, communities and local authorities are still not adept in dealing with the risks of the nature and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic which include not only health and economic impacts, but social and environmental impacts as well. 

In the Philippines, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded amidst multiple humanitarian emergencies — compounding negative impacts and exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities of crisis-affected individuals particularly those from marginalized sectors. We know that emergencies and responses are not gender-neutral and that different groups of women, men, boys, and girls experience crises differently. The Rapid Gender Assessment (RGA) elevates these gendered experiences, needs, capacities, and coping strategies, to (1) shape and influence the response plans and operational guidelines of LGUs, CSOs, and other humanitarian actors responding to COVID19; and (2) strengthen existing interventions to ensure they are gender-responsive. 

This inter-agency RGA surfaces the voices of 145 individuals from the most marginalized communities — urban poor, barangay health workers, persons with disabilities, solo/young parents, the homeless, senior citizens, LGBTQI —  in six cities of Metro Manila. It was conducted within the first three months of enhanced quarantines when NCR was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, through phone interviews and online surveys organized by CARE, ACCORD, Plan, Oxfam, ASMAE, ChildHope, and Kanlungan sa Er-ma Ministry, Inc. It is part of a larger national Gender and Inclusion Assessment (GIA) that engaged 27 I/NGOs and 950 respondents across 11 target constituencies in six regions.

Read, view, and download the complete PDF version of the presentation deck here.

Routinely cleaning and disinfecting our homes has become much more of a necessity nowadays as it helps keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy even when we spend most of our time at home.

Did you know that cleaning and disinfecting are two different things? What steps should be taken to make sure our homes stay clean even when we come from outside?

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Learn more about CARE Philippines and its initiatives for COVID-19 through:

CARE Facebook Page

CARE Philippines Website

In the Philippines, a disaster can strike almost anytime. With a higher risk brought by pandemic, go bags or survival kits come in handy. While the usual inclusions of a go-bag should be prepared, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) materials and gender-inclusive items should also be considered to make sure no one gets left behind when a disaster hits your community.

Check out these social media cards produced during this year’s National Disaster Resilience Month which had the theme “Sama-samang Pagsulong Tungo sa Katatagan sa Gitna ng Bagong Normal“:

Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards (INCREASE) aims to increase the resilience of 45,000 women and men small-scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. It is implemented by CARE with support from the Skala Initiative and Phineo, in partnership with ACCORD Incorporated, Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services, Leyte Center for Development, Inc. , and Agri-Aqua Development Coalition (AADC).

Malabon City is in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is part of a sub-region called CAMANAVA (composed of the cities of CAloocan, MAlabon, NAvotas and VAlenzuela) located in the northern part of Metro Manila Bay and situated in the estuary of several river deltas. Malabon is one of the most densely populated cities in the country and its low-lying, flat terrain makes it prone to frequent flooding, especially during high tides, heavy rains and when river and dams overflow. The four
cities in CAMANAVA are commonly affected by interconnected rivers, one of which is the Tullahan River.

The river system used to be navigable and fishing was the major livelihood activity in the area. The river used to be wider, deeper, had better quality water, and was a regular source of different species of fish, which were an important food source for local residents. Also, trees and crops like palay (rice) and vegetables used to be grown along the riverbanks. However, these agricultural plots have been replaced by industrial yards, which also became home to thousands of informal settlers who built makeshift
dwellings without legal claim to the land.

In recent years, floods have worsened, occurring more frequently and reaching levels of several feet deep. Most affected are families in the communities that are along or near the riverbanks. The river has become narrower and shallower over the years, and its capacity to hold water has decreased. With more frequent, intense rains, the riverbanks flood regularly, and flooding reaches farther into low-lying and densely populated areas of the city.

View and download the full Inside Story from the Climate Knowledge & Development Network here. 

To extend the RILHUB’s reach, we launched the Resilience and Knowledge Exchange Series (RKES) last June 2020 – monthly webinars where stakeholders and key decision-makers can share experiences, best practices, lessons learned, ideas, and innovations. 

In this session entitled “Planning for Typhoons During a Pandemic: A Practical Guide”, we held discussions on gaps and challenges of existing Contingency Plans for Typhoons in light of the current pandemic as well as replicable typhoon response practices. We also formulated a practical guide that aims to help communities update their current contingency plans.

A contingency planning checklist was developed from the inputs of more than 600 registrants. The document below was the one used during a special session of the RILHUB Resilience Knowledge Exchange Series for National Disaster Resilience Month. A more detailed and comprehensive checklist will also be uploaded after completion to include additional inputs from attendees and partners.

View and download the full contingency planning checklist here.

Tangos is an urban coastal community located in the northern portion of Navotas City

On 25 July 2018, Tangos is divided into two barangays: Tangos North and Tangos South.

It is bordered by San Roque to the South, Tangos River and Barangay Tanza to the East, and Manila Bay to the West and North.

The factsheet below includes:

• Quick Figures
• Location and General Description of Community
• Economic Activities
• Educational Institutions
• Infrastructure
• Disasters

View and download the full factsheet here.

Navotas is a flat and narrow strip of highly urbanized coastal areas located in the extreme northwest shore of Metro Manila.

The total land area includes the reclaimed area currently being utilized by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.

It is bordered by:

• • Obando, Bulacan in the north;
  • a system of riverways comprised of the Binuangan River, Daang Cawayan River, Dampalit River, Batasan River, Navotas River, Bangkulasi channel, Malabon channel, and the Estero de Maypajo on the east
  • the city of Manila to the South
  • Manila Bay to the West

The facts sheet below includes the following information:

• Quick Figures
• Location and General Description
• Population and Housing
• Economic Activities
• Health
• Infrastructure
• Protective Services
• Environment
• Disasters
• Disaster Risk Reduction: Accomplished Activities (October 2017-September 2018)

View and download the full factsheet here.