GTZ 2010 Calendar

FLOODS PREPARE

FOR

THE

Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Environment and Rural Development Program, Disaster Risk Management Component 2nd Floor PDCP Bank Centre Building, Rufino corner Leviste Street Makati City 1227, Philippines Tel.: 0063 2 812 3165 Email: gtz-philippinen@gtz.de Web: www.gtz.de

Floods Happen The Philippine archipelago is plagued by natural disasters. Typhoons are the most common phenomena, with their attendant floods, landslides and mud flows destroying valuable farmland and settlements and taking human lives every year. Additional hazards include devastating volcanic eruptions (Mt. Mayon, Pinatubo) and occasional earthquakes.

The country has institutions and protection plans in place, a positive asset. However, it is primarily the local and regional institutions, municipal authorities and the populations affected that are under-prepared for such natural hazards. Disaster risk management is altogether insufficient, with the response often coming too late or inadequately.

Everyone however can prepare for floods and reduce the magnitude of their impact.

Europe Cares Development policy is at the heart of Europena Union (EU) external actions, focusing on the primary goal of poverty reduction.

The EU provides 55% of world development aid and is a major donor in Asia.

The European Commission’s humanitarian aid department (ECHO) provides rapid and effective support to the victims of disasters beyond the European Union’s borders. On average, approximately 16% of ECHO humanitarian relief is a response to sudden-onset natural disasters. The importance of disaster preparedness is clearly recognised in ECHO’s mandate and in 1996 ECHO launched a specific programme, DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO) dedicated to disaster preparedness.

ECHO’s humanitarian mandate prescribes a focus on saving lives, providing relief and thus assisting the most vulnerable groups. ECHO has therefore been very supportive of recent global efforts to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction efforts, which includes disaster preparedness measures. Due to its humanitarian mandate, ECHO prioritizes ‘people-oriented’ preparedness measures.

GTZ Works Activities of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in the Philippines currently focus on the following priority areas: economic reform, environment, conflict prevention and peace promotion, promotion of democracy and devolution, water and sanitation, and solid waste management.

Within the Environment and Rural Development Program, the disaster preparedness component supports the people affected and local authorities to react appropriately to the most frequently occurring natural disasters. Negative consequences of disasters are thus mitigated and the people’s living conditions improved.

Examples of concrete activities within the component include the establishment of flood early warning systems, compilation of hazard area maps, training and continuing education measures, disaster response training, information campaigns and the integration of disaster risk management into community budgeting.

The flood early warning systems are located in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. They work with local volunteers trained in reading rain and river level gauges, operations centers for decision making and warning dissemination, and a communication chain to each household in flood-prone areas. The first flooding events proved that the system provided good forecasts and timely warnings to the population, resulting in reduced damage.

BMZ Supports The development policy of the Federal Republic of Germany is an independent area of German foreign policy.

It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community, with Germany making effective and high-profile contributions. Germany has pledged to take an active part in realising the goals set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. The interdepartmental Program of Action 2015 is the German government’s principal instrument for implementing this pledge.

Published by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Environment and Rural Development Program, Disaster Risk Management Component 2nd Floor PDCP Bank Centre Building Rufino corner Leviste Street Makati City 1227, Philippines Phone: 0063 2 812 3165 Email: gtz-philippinen@gtz.de Web: www.gtz.de Program Director and Principal Advisor: Dr. Walter Salzer DRM Consultant/Calendar Concept: Olaf Neussner Layout: Nanie Gonzales Photography: Charlie David Martinez Printed by: Gemini Phils. Graphic Arts Corp.

Know the warning levels

There are three warning levels in a Flood Early Warning System.

The advice on what to do for each level might differ slightly in each local system, but they are essentially the same. They are released by a competent local authority. They may be communicated by radio, TV, bells, megaphones, lights, sirens or other technical means.

Alert/Stand by: a flood may come, start with slow activities like bringing furniture or harvest to safe places.

Preparation: the flood is coming, prepare to leave your house, get essential things you can carry (e.g. food, blanket) Evacuation: The flood is very near, evacuate your house and go to assigned evacuation centers.

JANUARY SUN

MON

TUE

2010 WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

8

9

New Year’s Day

3

4

5

6

7

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Do I live in a flood-prone area?

Ask local government officials for flood hazard maps and find out whether your house is in the danger zone.

Ask neighbors if they experienced floods before in this area, BUT the next flood might be higher than what has been experienced before.

FEBRUARY SUN

7

2010

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Use submergence-tolerant rice

Most rice varieties in the Philippines can withstand flooding for 2 to 3 days. A flood may stay longer than that.

Recently the Department of Agriculture recommended new submergence-tolerant rice varieties developed by the International Rice Research Institute. These varieties may be under water for two weeks without damage.

Ask the Department of Agriculture where to get this rice and how/when to plant it.

MARCH SUN

7

2010

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Plant bamboo for river bank stabilization

The roots of bamboo and many trees stabilize soil on river banks and reduce the erosion in times of high water and strong currents.

APRIL SUN

MON

2010 TUE

WED

THU

1

Trees absorb water and increase the water retention capacity of an area. This reduces floods.

Maundy Thursday

4

5

6

7

8

FRI

SAT

2

3

9

10

Good Friday

Araw ng Kagitingan

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Participate in drills

It is important to exercise and rehearse what to do in case of an emergency.

MAY SUN

MON

2010 TUE

WED

THU

FRI

Join evacuation drills as a resident or be part of the organizing team.

Include the old, young and handicapped in the drill.

SAT

1

Labor Day

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Build your house on stilts

If your house is located in a flood-prone area, it is safer to build it elevated.

JUNE SUN

MON

The best solution are stilts.

You can also build two stories.

The upper floor will (most likely) be safe from the water.

Building your house like this may be a considerable cost, but in view of the savings from heavy damage not happening, this is a wise investment.

6

7

2010 TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

8

9

10 11 12

Independence Day

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Improve evacuation centers

Help to make evacuation centers more comfortable.

They should have provisions for cooking and sufficient toilets.

JULY SUN

MON

2010 TUE

WED

Assist as a volunteer to improve the centers.

4

5

6

7

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

8

9

10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Build your house sturdy enough to withstand strong flood waters

Floods may have strong currents, especially if your house is built near a river.

The foundation and the walls should be sturdy.

Follow advice on how to design and construct a robust house.

AUGUST

2010

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 National Heroes’ Day

Household safety

Survival items to have at hand: a. Portable radio with extra batteries b. First aid kit, including specific medicines for household members c. Flashlight with extra batteries or flashlights not requiring batteries d. Bottled water, sufficient for all household members for one week (7 liters/person/day) e. Canned or dried food, sufficient for all household members for one week f. Portable stove with fuel/charcoal g. Matches and candles h. Telephone numbers of police, rescue service, fire station, clinic/doctor

SEPTEMBER SUN

5

MON

6

TUE

7

2010

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

8

9

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Help elderly, children and handicapped during a flood

There are many persons who find it difficult to get themselves to safety.

OCTOBER SUN

MON

TUE

2010 WED

THU

They may be slow in moving to higher ground or in walking longer distances.

Help children, elderly and handicapped. Organize transportation for them if needed.

3

4

5

6

7

FRI

SAT

1

2

8

9

Make sure evacuation centers are prepared for their needs.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Some vulnerable persons might play an active role like doing some communication.

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Recognize the acoustic warning signals

Flood Early Warning Systems usually send out three different kinds of acoustic warning signals.

NOVEMBER SUN

Make sure you can recognize them.

One short sound, a long break, another short sound, a long break, and so on: Warning Level 1: Alert, Stand-by Two short sounds, a long break, two short sounds, a long break, and so on: Warning Level 2: Preparation Continuous short sounds: Warning Level 3: Evacuation

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10 11 12 13

All Saints’ Day

7

2010

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Bonifacio Day

What to do after a flood

Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Stay away from downed power lines.

Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.

Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters.

DECEMBER SUN

5

MON

6

TUE

7

2010

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

8

9

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Christmas Day

26 27 28 29 30 31 Rizal Day