Youth Actions in DRR by United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth

YOUTH ACTIONS IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION May 2017 Cancun, Mexico

Integrated Participatory and Collaborative Digital Mapping to Enhance Disaster Resilience P. Khadka (Center for Social Development and Research, Nepal), S. Dugar (Practical Action Nepal), W. Liu (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis), G. Thapa (Kathmandu Living Labs) and N. Pudasaini (Kathmandu Living Labs)

Background of the Project: • Floods have affected more than 1.5 billion people since 2000, and 19 of the top 20 countries whose inhabitants are most affected by floods are developing countries and emerging economies, of which 11 are located in South and Southeast Asia. • Critical knowledge gaps seriously hinder effective Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), especially in least developed areas, such as the Karnali River Basin in Western Nepal, where floods devastate local communities during the monsoon. In our project, we engage youth to enhance access to flood risk knowledge. Young social mobilizers and volunteers are trained to integrate community based participatory mapping processes with internet-based collaborative digital mapping technologies (OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform), co-producing spatial information on disaster risk to enhance DRR and decision making.

Social Impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

• The project has provided more than 70 communities in the Karnali floodplains of Western Nepal with enhanced geo-spatial information on exposure. This information is expected to benefit a range of stakeholders engaged in reducing disaster risk, including Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs), local NGOs and Red Cross, government stakeholders as well as international development agencies.

• Risk knowledge in Nepal is often soloed and inaccessible, captured by different actors in different formats that cannot speak to each other (e.g., hand drawn community risk maps, satellite data, flood hazard maps). This initiative has integrated digital and paper-based risk mapping, combining and layering community, scientific and remote-sensed data and knowledge to produce enhanced risk maps.

• SFDRR’s Theme 1 – Understanding Risk prioritises knowledge that encompasses “all dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment”.

• This enhanced risk information will improve the understanding of disaster risk at sub-basin scale, and support in risk preparedness and emergency management, as well as informing better land use decisions in the communities.

• The initiative has harnessed youth capacities, enabling young social mobilisers and volunteers to integrate the wealth of available pieces of risk knowledge, bringing them together in a manner that allows them to be compared and understood, and in a format that can be widely accessed and applied.

• Working in partnership with youth and key sub-national stakeholders has built understanding and capacity, and enhanced sustainability and potential for wider replication. Youth increased skills in a variety of multi-disciplinary risk assessment tools and techniques, including Participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments, Open Street Map Remote Mapping, Field papers, OSMTracker and Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS).

• SFDRR also recommends “to develop, periodically update and disseminate, as appropriate, location-based disaster risk information, including risk maps, to decision makers, the general public and communities at risk of exposure to disaster in an appropriate format by using, as applicable, geospatial information technology”. • While emerging technologies such as satellite-based remote sensing and advancement in global-scale disaster risk modelling have provided substantial data and information at global and regional scales, appropriate local level risk information is still scarce. The critical information gap, especially spatial risk information at local levels, seriously compromise efforts for building disaster resilience in disaster-prone least developing countries. • Developing countries need to consider readily available and easily accessible geo-spatial data as a vital component of their disaster preparedness plans, and via using the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform, engaging wide range of citizens and local stakeholders for collecting and generating local data more effectively and efficiently, as demonstrated by our project.

Further Steps: • Map key information pertaining to flood hazard, exposure and vulnerability at the household and community level across lower Karnali river basin, especially focusing on ground truthing important facilities (e.g. safe-shelters, health posts, open grounds, schools , raised hand pumps, community centers, community forests, irrigation canals etc) before 2017 monsoon season. • Add to most 25, 000 houses and constructed units and 1,000 km of roads of ~100 communities in Lower Karnali River basin • Replicate and scale up remote mapping of disaster-prone communities in Jonuta, Mexico and Chosica, Peru . Currently 5000 houses and 200 km of roads mapped of Jonuta, Mesico and 15,000 buildings and 100 km of roads of Chosica, Peru. • Data derived through OSM Analytics and up-to-date as of April 2017)

Contact: Nirab Pudasaini, Kathmandu Living Labs E-mail: developer.nirab@gmail.com Contact: Sumit Dugar, Practical Action Nepal E-mail: sumit.dugar@practicalaction.org.np Websites: www.practicalaction.org www. iiasa.ac.at www.kathmandulivinglabs.org

Safe Disaster-Resilient Drinking Water to Floods and Drought Prone Areas in Sri Lanka WMAV.Rajakarunanayake (Deputy Director/ project cordinator) Background of the Project:

This project is based on viability of rainwater harvesting systems as a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) method for vulnerable communities. The project has raised awareness and capacity building on ground water recharging technology of the war effected and drought prone areas of Kilinochchi, Badulla and Moneragala districts of Sri Lanka.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

It will create easy access to clean drinking water for 10,000 children and teachers by constructing 45 demonstration rain water harvesting units (30,000L each) in 45 schools.10 RWHS (10,000/16,000L) will be established in 10 medical clinics to provide clean drinking water for 5,000 mothers, children and Chronic Kidney Disease unknown etiology (CKDu) patients. The schools are used as shelters at the times of disasters. Availability of clean water at a disaster shelter is an asset to the community.

Monitoring Ground Water Recharging Increased ground water availability cushion the effect of drought. GWR is reported to increase both quantity and quality of ground water levels. No specific study has been done in Sri Lanka to assess the effect. The project aims to monitor and study the effects of 20 established Recharging Systems. Findings of this study will support promotion of ground water recharging as drought risk reduction method for other drought prone areas as well.

360 households RWHS ( 8,000) will be constructed in the 3 districts with safe drinking water throughout the year bring household water security for more than 1800 people. Dis- used rain water systems (400) in the project area will be rehabilitated with the contribution of the community thus setting an example for local authorities to follow suit.

Water level Indicator for RWH tanks. At present the water levels in the RWH tanks are measured manually. This is not ideal since the user has to be at the site to measure. If the level is measured automatically it can be conveyed to the user remotely which will help to manage the water levels better, especially in times of drought and floods. Automated water level indicator will be developed in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa. It will be linked to the mobile weather station software. Accordingly, the user can Manage the stored rain water in a more efficient way, in time of disaster situation. It will also enable LRWHF to monitor the usage and study for future designing of rain water storage capacity.

Investing in disaster risk reduction risk At the times of disasters, availability of potable drinking water quickly becomes a major concern for relief. Therefore the simple solution in this case is to increase the retention of water that is received during the rainy periods. Rainwater harvesting in the form of collection and storage in a tank or retention in the soil and ground is a good option for communities facing water shortages during non-rain period. Understanding disaster risk Increasing the number of weather stations or localizing them could give better and clearer clues as to when and where the rainfall is reaching dangerous levels, thereby preventing catastrophes. Sparsely placed climatic monitoring observations of Sri Lanka collect only the daily rain gauge accumulation. It is important to collect data on rainfall intensity as well. The weather stations will monitor the parameters such as rain fall (frequency, Intensity), wind, pressure, temperature and humidity. This data can then be used for decision making in regular water resource management and to be prepared for the challengers of droughts and floods.

Training programs will be conducted to build capacity of targeted 150 officials in 3 districts on DRR during drought through RWH. 100 professionals and practitioners will be trained on how to adopt RWH technology as water supply option as drought and flood resistance method. .

Further steps: Findings of the project based research will be shared at national , regional and international conferences .

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Contact +94 115 524 612 E-mail: LRWHFCMB@gmail.com Website: www.lankarainwater.org

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RIDE FOR HUMANITY E. Muiruri (Kenya Red Cross Society- Youth)

Background of the Project: Ride for Humanity, is an annual 10 km ride within Nairobi organized by the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi County youth that aims at raising awareness on road safety and urban disasters, creating collaborative avenues in road safety advocacy as well as creating a proactive community on disasters. This year, the ride aim was to raise awareness on youth action in road safety and peace. Ride for Humanity this year was held on the 7th May 2017 under the theme of “SAFETY AND PEACE FOR EVERYONE” which is in line with the 2017 world Red Cross day theme of “Everywhere for Everyone”. This event brings together stakeholders and partners in road safety to advocate for safe riding, implementation of the road traffic rules with a series of online and offline activities towards the day.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

This project brought together over 100 riders from Superhero Bikers Club and Kenya Bikers Association, more than 20 cyclists from 1000 Rides, university students, community and members of the public making to over 400 participants riding and walking across the city sensitizing the public on road safety and peace with a target to reach at-least 1 million people in Nairobi city as Nairobi has a population of 5 million during the day and 3 million at night. The event was graced with key messages shared through fliers and speeches from the government agencies, private sector, youth initiatives and humanitarian organizations on the need for maintaining peaceful elections and following all the traffic rules and guidelines on the roads. In addition, sessions on safe riding were demonstrated by both bikers and cyclist who further enlightened members of the public on key safety measures to undertake while on the road. This event further aimed at advancing efforts to enable general public to understand road safety risks and dangers brought about by conflict situations in a view to reduce road carnage and internal conflicts and war.

The theme, Safety and Peace for Everyone, communicated to the raising cases of traffic accidents in Nairobi County and in Kenya as well as raising concerns of internal conflicts and political temperatures ahead of the Kenya’s general election. The Ride was designed by young people and for young people to help address challenges that are faced by the largest demographic dividend of the youthful population in Nairobi and Kenya as a country. Many young people are often used as destructive tools by politicians during electioneer periods and with the general elections coming up very close; hence the need to urge the youth bulge to be agents of peace and to observe safety measures on the roads. This is because the ‘boda boda’ (motorbike) business has rapidly increased among young people in Nairobi and generally in Kenya. Lack of proper skills, knowledge on road safety and ignorance on safe riding information has contributed to increased road traffic victims caused by Boda Boda riders. Moreover, lack of knowledge and ignorance of the general public that halts the implementation of the existing policies and guidelines to safe guard lives on the roads has contributed to the increased road traffic accidents.

This project amplifies the fact that young people are agents of change in their communities and contributes to priority number one of the Sendai Framework of understanding disaster risk. This is based on the believe that disaster risk management should be based on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment where such knowledge can be used for risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. Hence ride for humanity addresses the key underlying risks posed by use of motorbikes and bicycles on the roads highlighting vulnerabilities of users, gaps and challenges experienced in the implementation of road traffic rules as well as identifying areas of collaboration among different stakeholders. .

Further steps: Ride for Humanity aims at creating a strong platform for young people to engage and contribute to DRR through peer to peer learning, knowledge and experience sharing, partnership and collaboration on youth led initiatives. In addition, development of an online platform (ride for humanity onestop shop) where members of the public can get real time information on road safety data and initiatives as well as contribute to road safety efforts.

Contact Esther Muiruri Email:esthermuiruri90@gmail.com Website: www.redcross.or.ke

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Preparing our Home: Innovation meets Tradition Lilia Yumagulova (“Preparing our Home” Program Coordinator)

Background of the Project: “Preparing our Home” is a community-based resilience planning program that enables Indigenous youth to reach their potential in becoming resilience planning leaders in their communities. In Canada, there are currently few initiatives that build the capacity of Indigenous youth leadership in emergency management, disaster risk reduction and climate change action. Examples in other countries (New Zealand, US) show that youth programs can help build, sustain, and improve community preparedness. “Preparing our Home” enhances activities directed at understanding risk from an inclusive people-centered community-based approach that connects youth, Elders and community members and weaves together Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Science and Western Science. The program strengthens resilience capabilities in Indigenous communities by building leadership through youth training and exercises.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

Indigenous youth are the fastest growing and one of the most underserved demographics in Canada. Historically settled near water, Indigenous communities face high flood risk due to natural (flash, debris, coastal floods) and man-made floods (e.g. dams, flooded traditional lands for infrastructure projects). Climate change increases flood risk, especially in low-lying coastal communities. The number of fire incidents and fire injuries per capita for First Nations is nearly 2.5 times greater, while fire fatalities are 10 times higher compared to the Canadian average. As of December 2016, 127 First Nations in Canada were under boil water advisories, with drought being an increasing concern. First Nations suicide rates are twice the national average. Some communities declared states of emergency due to “epidemics” of suicide, especially among youth. Historical trauma, intergenerational inequality, institutional racism and structural barriers limit First Nations’ ability to reduce disaster risk in an integrated culturally appropriate way that goes beyond onesize fits all approaches to emergency management. “Preparing our Home” fills this gap as a community-based disaster resilience program developed and implemented by First Nations communities. Beginning with school curriculum, it creates intergenerational, multi-stakeholder opportunities to understand risk and develop context-specific youth-led and community implemented risk management and planning activities.

The program is structured along the following activities (including some examples of implementation in different Nations): Understanding risk: What do YOUth know? Youth have an intimate knowledge of their communities, of social vulnerability (e.g. where elders live) and of their environment (as a highly mobile group). Using low-cost technology and participatory risk and asset mapping methodologies this phase allows youth to document hazards and risks faced. Mitigation: what can be done to reduce the damage of the potential emergency event? Development of a Youth-led DRR Action Plan provides an opportunity to review and enhance community DRR, while incorporating scientific and Traditional Knowledge gathered by youth. Preparedness: what can YOUth do to better prepare for emergencies personally, at home and as a community? Examples include delivery of community preparedness surveys; fridge magnets developed by the youth; evacuation road planning; social media communication campaigns). Response: How can YOUth help during an emergency? (e.g. sand-bagging, help with food distribution, communication; door-to-door notification) Recovery: How can YOUth help to recovery after an emergency? (physical recovery (debris removal) to social recovery (regular visits on Elders to learn traditional language and heal together after emergencies).

“Disaster risk reduction requires a multi-hazard approach and inclusive riskinformed decision-making based on the open exchange and dissemination of disaggregated data, including by sex, age and disability, as well as on easily accessible, up-to-date, comprehensible, science-based, non-sensitive risk information, complemented by traditional knowledge” – Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 Multi-hazard and risk-informed: using participatory mapping and low-cost technology this program enables youth to conduct hazard identification, hazard mapping, social vulnerability mapping and risk assessment for stress and shocks ranging from floods, extreme weather events, droughts, sea level rise, road accidents, oil spills, loss of language and culture. Inclusive, open and people-centred: the program connects youth as change agents with community members, Elders, external partners and nonIndigenous peers to collectively learn, collaborate and enhance resilience . Interweaving worldviews: by integrating Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Science, Western science and Technology for increasing community resilience.

Further steps: ̓ lacw Community School students and staff, Nation staff and elders as well as external partners (University students specializing in Working with the Xetó geography, natural hazards and water management) a multiple grade school curriculum will be developed. The curriculum will focus on flood risk (for people located in low-lying land), water shortages (wells drying out during summer months, especially for people located in the higher ground), and fire ̓ lacw community relocated from the regularly flooded floodplain to higher ground but that has risk (numerous houses were lost in fires). In 1986 Xetó led to a high risk of wildfire due to its location in the forest. Awareness raising at a personal, family and community level. Nationally and internationally, a public campaign will raise awareness about flood /drought planning in Indigenous communities. Development and maintenance of a youth-led community drought and flood action plan Increased collaboration (external partners such as schools, universities, and NGOs) and integration of emergency planning with long-term resource

Contact: Lilia Yumagulova E-mail: lily.yumagulova@gmail.com Website: preparingourhome.ca

Tradition meets Technology: Yuuthluithaht First Nations youth fly drones to map hazards (sea level rise, tsunami and coastal erosion) and assets (historic return of ƛ̓usmit (tlusmit) herring spawn).

ADAPTING DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TOOLS TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS RESILIENCE Michelle Marteleira, M.A.P. (Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network, University of British Columbia) Background of the Project: The impacts of disasters are urgent concerns for many communities in Canada, and particularly among Indigenous communities, which often lack access to the appropriate tools and resources for hazards mitigation planning and are subsequently disempowered in disaster risk reduction. Indigenous communities have demonstrated adaptability and resilience to natural hazards over millennia, but colonial policies have greatly impeded their ability to manage risk. Insufficient access to resources and DRR tools is largely due to a history of poor institutional support, further decreasing the ability for Indigenous communities—which include over 600 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in Canada—to implement effective and proactive resilience strategies. There are opportunities for practitioners, researchers, and local governments to work with Indigenous leaders and better understand the socioeconomic contexts that underpin local and regional vulnerability. Interjurisdictional collaboration supports the adaptation of disaster risk reduction initiatives that are locally appropriate and sustainable. Through a case study with the Musqueam First Nation in British Columbia, this research project investigates the impacts of disproportional disaster risk on Indigenous communities in Canada, identifies methods for adapting the Resilient-C Platform (resilient-c.ubc.ca) to improve regional resilience, and proposes recommendations for future interjurisdictional collaboration efforts across local, regional, and provincial governments.

Social impact

Innovation

The partnership with Musqueam First Nation provided a valuable opportunity to co-develop a research design to integrate traditional knowledge, learn about resilience and coastal adaptation strategies, and to share research findings that support DRR planning across other Indigenous communities in Canada. Through participatory research approaches and interviews, the project built a framework for adapting tools to meet the needs of Indigenous communities and to strengthen disaster risk governance. The recommendations made by this project can be applied to specific DRR tools or can be considered when establishing partnerships across Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders. Global and regional resilience efforts must include Indigenous communities through communication, cooperation, and collaboration, in order to make DRR more effective and equitable. Map of First Nations Communities in Canada First Nation Community

Connection to SFDRR

Why should vulnerability indicators be adapted for Indigenous contexts?

SFDRR Priority 1: Understanding risk

Indicators are frequently used for DRR research to assess vulnerability and are useful for identifying communities that are the most and least vulnerable. However, for First Nations governments that already experience frequent disasters on reserve lands, their high vulnerability is often well-understood by everyone in the community. DRR gaps for First Nations leaders in Canada more frequently stem from insufficient resources for hazards mitigation and vulnerability reduction.

A critical objective of this project was to ensure that Traditional Indigenous Knowledge was involved throughout the research to understand how disaster risk reduction strategies and practices can be made locally appropriate. The lessons learned from adapting a DRR tool— the Resilient-C Platform—for a specific First Nation in Canada provides initial recommendations for implementing DRR strategies in broader Indigenous contexts.

The Resilient-C platform is a novel DRR tool because it compares the similarity of different communities based on their vulnerability. Methodologically, this type of index moves away from the ranking systems generated by conventional indices (i.e. highest to lowest vulnerability) and can be interpreted as less antagonistic. The platform shows a user which communities are similarly vulnerable and provides detailed information about the DRR resources that are being implemented. This cooperative approach to knowledge and resource sharing supports resilience efforts across Indigenous and municipal jurisdictions facing similar risks in a region.

Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 2017.

Recommendations for adapting DRR tools for Indigenous governance 1. Recognize the value in making connections between jurisdictions • • •

Actively share relevant research with Indigenous leaders Share resilience planning tools between local governments and Indigenous governments Recognize existing strengths within Indigenous communities, e.g. Traditional Knowledge, social capital, shared history

2. Approaches for adapting Disaster Risk Reduction tools • • •

Consider Indigenous modes of resilience, e.g. Traditional practices, connection to land, and non-substitutable goods Mainstream resilience tools across the Indigenous governance structures Identify champions within an Indigenous community to lead resilience efforts

3. Modify indicators and data sources to include, among others: • % of on-reserve community members who fish • % people with chronic diseases or mobility issues in community • Number of traditional use/archeological sites in coastal areas

Further steps for the Resilient-C Platform: The Musqueam First Nation will be added to the Resilient-C Platform, providing an opportunity for the community leaders to identify vulnerability similarity in the region and showcase their future DRR strategies and collaborations. The Resilient-C resource library will also be expanded throughout 2017. Information about DRR actions and plans will be published, and potential funding sources for DRR efforts will be provided, such as provincial or federal grants, contributions from non-governmental organizations, and research funding.

CONTACT INFORMATION Michelle Marteleira, M.A.P. E-mail: michelle.marteleira@gmail.com Website: resilient-c.ubc.ca

Map of First Nations reserves and dike infrastructure along a portion of the Fraser River, British Columbia. Dikes outside local areas (black) are not maintained by diking authorities. FLNRO, 2011

SFDRR Priority 2: Strengthening disaster risk governance This project explored how local authorities of a First Nation community, such as planners, emergency managers, and other community leaders, could mainstream disaster risk reduction tools within Indigenous governance structures to strengthen resilience. Empowering Indigenous participation in DRR efforts means adapting tools so that community leaders can work effectively across jurisdictions, such as through partnerships with municipal and regional governments that face similar disaster risk.

RUNOFF FORECASTING FOR ATBARA CATCHMENT AT UPPER ATBARA AND SETIT DAM COMPLEX Ruaa. Nasreldeen (Research Engineer , Ministry of Water Resources , Irrigation and Electricity) Background of the project: The relationship between rainfall and runoff play fundamental role in many aspects of catchment management, such as determine the availability of water resources, design of flood protection work and operational aspects of flood and water resources management that is general. Gedarif state in The Sudan is highly populated region of the country with high number of livestock that depend on surface water supply. However Gedarif region suffer from sever water shortage during summer(dry season) in spite of intense and huge rainfall during rainy season(Annual 600 mm). The state has several seasonal rivers (Wadis) which are not well studied in term of their hydrological response to rainfall. The Hydrological evaluation of these rivers is quite inadequate for their management with consideration of their magnitude, and benefit potentialities for the society. This project will give some insight on primary hydrological processes and parameters. Thence, develop a river flow forecasting system at Upper Atbara and Setit Dam Complex by determining the rainfall-runoff relationships employing physically-based models such as HEC-HMS. The computers models combined with satellite and spatial data can help to understand the catchment response to variability in rainfall by simulating events and compare the results with observed data to determine the proper parameters.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

The state’s total population is estimated to stand at some 1.35 million people with an annual growth rate of 3.87%. Gedarif state is very rich in terms of animal resources, supporting some 5.2 million heads of livestock throughout much of the year.

The goal of this study to develop the Atbara and Setit rivers flow forecasting system based on information from satellite data.

Beneficiaries of the projects are: Dam Department at Ministry, Agriculture schemes in Gedarif state, societies and Non-Govenmental Organization working on disasters management. Emphasis is placed on coordinating "Upper Atbara and Setit Dam Complex" operation administration with Gedarif state human in order to reduce the impact, by SMS, Periodical report, Local TV and Radio sharing areas will be affected by the flow adding the flood plain and extend

The “Upper Atbara and Setit Dam Complex” is to support the development of Eastern Sudan, through enhancement of agriculture production, generation of hydropower and potable water utilizing locally available water resources from the Atbara and Setit rivers. The project also aims to increase agriculture production in the New Halfa area currently irrigated by Khashm El-Girba Dam.

The catchment outlet at “Upper Atbara and Setit Dam Complex”. Effective runoff forecasting system could be a key tool for day to day operational strategies for the optimum use of water resources, including reservoir operation and flood forecasting. This part presents the details of the set of procedures that will be followed to accomplish the objectives. The figure shows the data requirements, models to be used and the general techniques to be implemented. The boxes in light green indicate the tasks to be completed for Model set up, and light blue boxes indicate tasks that require daily execution.

Gedarif in flood season, from (June to October)

Gedarif State

Upper Atbara Setit Dam Gedarif in dry season, from (January to April)

Further steps: There are many steps should be taken as Literature Review, Gather data , Pre- input data and data process, model Calibration, Validation model ,final result and evaluation and Finalise report.

Contact E-mail: ruaaabdelbasit@gmail.com Website: hrc-sudan.sd

YOUNG PEACEBUILDERS FOR CLIMATE ACTION (YPCA) FV. Manaysay (Green the Gene), MC. Lagare (Ateneo de Davao University), AM. Era (Local Government Academy of the Philippines), & R. Correa (World Vision Philippines)

Background of the project: A major impact of disasters and conflicts in Southeast Asian countries was the realization that governments could not and should not do it alone. Without concrete action, these will continue to damage the social, economic, and cultural aspects of the people’s lives in these communities. As such, there is a need for governments to consult with all of the stakeholders who demand for participation in the decision-making process of institutions since these policies directly or indirectly impact their lives. And the process of building climate resilience in Southeast Asia’s conflict-affected communities can rely on the largely untapped resource yet: the youth. The Young Peace-builders for Climate Action aims to strengthen the role of young people in promoting sustainable environmental development in peace-building processes, enhance awareness and develop the potentials of young peace advocates as future leaders in community-based disaster risk reduction management (CBDRRM) and conflict prevention. This accelerator program seeks to gather 30 program fellows, ideally between 18-25 years old, from the Southeast Asian on 26-31 July 2017 in Quezon City, Philippines. The rigorous five-day program will specifically target fellows from selected conflict-affected regions in Southeast Asia and capacitate them with the skills and knowledge they need to take action on issues related to climate change and disaster management.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

Project Outcomes:

The accelerator program includes:

• Create a network of Southeast Asian peace-builders who will conceptualize and mainstream innovative community-based disaster management projects for conflictaffected communities in partnership with different stakeholders. • YPCA will utilize innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum that will allow the fellows to produce tangible results and impactful initiatives. It will provide a simulation program that will enable the fellows to form teams and hone their leadership skills through interactive modules and community-based projects. • At the end of the program, the fellows are required to submit and present communitybased project proposals to a panel of mentors.

• Lectures, workshops, mentorship sessions, community risk assessment and field visits, which will focus on building their skills and knowledge in project management, fundraising, social media, and policy advocacy, among many others. • Several institutions in the fields of climate change, peace-building, disaster management and environmental protection will be invited to grace the program as mentors and lecturers, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Development Program Philippines, Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Philippine Climate Change Commission • Successful applicants will receive training from leadership education specialists from the Honolulu-based East-West Center, which hosts YSEALI’s academic fellowship on global environmental issues. • Community-based project proposals from the fellows will be funded, and it will be divided to two categories: individual and country. USD 3,000 for three country projects and USD 1,500 for five individual projects.

The present framework aims to guide the multi-hazard management of disaster risk in development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors (UNISDR, 2015). The Sendai Framework focuses on including the various aspects of disasters caused by natural and manmade hazards, which will rely on involving different stakeholders that matters on this issue. YPCA considers the youth as a major stakeholder on disaster risk reduction. The program enables the youth coming from conflict affected areas to create their own innovative solutions that will address disaster risks. It also focuses on strengthening the partnerships among the youth leaders on disaster risk reduction in the Southeast Asian countries which is one of the targets of the Sendai Framework.

The measurement of success of long-term goals of this project includes the: 1) Number of beneficiaries, partners, and other stakeholders involved in the community-based disaster management projects implemented; 2) Increased awareness and understanding of the fellows and their beneficiaries on the actions needed to sustain disaster management and peace-building efforts in their home communities.

Further steps: The training of the fellows in YPCA on basic disaster risk reduction and management concepts and will be exposed to the Philippines' National Disaster Preparedness Framework which is provided by Republic Act 10121 or the DRRM Act of 2010 and anchored on the Sendai Framework and ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response. This project will focus on improving the ability of the fellows on minimizing the effects brought about by environmental degradation, climate change, and increasing natural disaster risks. The fellows will be given an opportunity to apply what they have learned in their countries or partnership with other countries. It is anticipated that this project results in a multiplier effect, where the community-based projects and the skills acquired by the fellows will be shared with other individuals in their own communities which will create a larger impact on addressing disaster risk reduction.

Contact Logo E-mail: info@aseanpeaceproject.org Website: www.aseanpeaceproject.org

SEA-ART: SEAGRASS ECOLOGY MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION R. Villanueva and T. Schlurmann (Leibniz University Hanover); M. Paul (Brunswick Technical University) Background of the project:

Despite a steady decline of coverage during the past few decades, seagrasses are not a focus point when it comes to coastal management and ecology. Seagrass meadows are one of many soft measures of coastal protection nowadays, whose potential could be utilized in the fight against rising sea levels and climate change. However, accurate quantitative prediction of the effectiveness of seagrass meadows as a measure of coastal protection has not yet been achieved. Additionally, restoration attempts have proven difficult due to bolstered hydrodynamic conditions found on non-vegetated areas, which do not allow re-settlement of seeds; consequently, no growth can take place. Considering the broad range of ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows (e.g. rich micro and macro-fauna habitat, wave attenuation and sedimentation), the project SeaArt: Long-term establishment of seagrass ecosystems through biodegradable artificial meadows aims to facilitate the regrowth of a rather declining seagrass population around the world. Considering as well that seagrass meadows are a common occurrence around the globe – varying greatly in species and distribution – restoration attempts play an important role not only on the recuperation of such ecosystems, but on the contemporary fight against climate change through environmentally-friendly solutions, thus falling into the Eco-DRR scheme. To achieve this, geoecologists, coastal engineers and material scientists, among other related disciplines, join to analyze seagrass ecosystem and hydrodynamic properties in order to design a system able to protect sprouting meadows and stimulate seagrass regrowth.

Social impact

Innovation

Connection to SFDRR

Seagrass meadows are present almost around the globe, which makes them an important part of aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, as almost half the world’s population live near coastal areas, protection of the people and cities is an essential part of planning and safety. Seagrass meadows do not represent a immediately tangible impact for human livelihood, but rather a silent service which is always present: from reduced wave energy and current reduction for coastal protection to increased sedimentation, reducing water turbidity and providing a more appealing coastal landscape. Ultimately, being an ecological (or soft measure) of coastal protection, it provides services for both the population and the ecosystem. This is especially true given the fact that seagrass meadows are an important source of food through fish nurseries. They represent an extremely important habitat that we humans need for food safety and risk reduction. The picture below shows an example of seagrass on the North Atlantic, representing a source of life for fauna, a sedimentation hub for water clarity, and an energy reducer for coastal protection.

One of the most important goals of the project is maintaining the status of environmental friendliness: keeping it green. Keeping this in mind, the project attempts to achieve restoration of seagrass meadows by utilizing artificial seagrass to help protect the seeds while they settle and reestablish the meadows. Additionally, the material scientists have the task to develop an artificial biodegradable surrogate to fulfill this role of “protector and restorer”. The biodegradable mimics should disappear after some years, when the meadows are fully reestablished. This turns this initiative into a fully environmentally friendly solution for seagrass retreat worldwide. Additionally, the project, at its later stages, will also address the byproducts possible from the extensive biomass that seagrass beds produce during die-off and end up washed up on beaches. The pictures show preliminary tests of polyethylene as a surrogate (left) and the wash up of biomass (right).

Within the SFDRR, eco-DRR solutions are a focus with increasing importance. This can be especially inferred in the priorities for action. Priority 1 refers to understanding disaster risk. The SeaArt project, which is on an experimental phase, takes care of the collection, evaluation and publication of data relevant to the role of seagrasses on coastal protection. Moreover, this is especially true for the global and regional levels, where presentations, such as this one in the GPDRR, open the gates to international cooperation to take this project overseas (The picture below shows a presentation of the project at an international workshop in Bali, Indonesia, on March 2017). Success of this project will mean readiness for implementation and consequent restoration of seagrass meadows. International cooperation would be the way to speed things up when talking about worldwide application. Focusing, then, on priority 3, allocation of resources from the international community would be a necessary kick-starter for such initiatives to go from the global to the national levels.

Photo courtesy of Maike Paul

Further steps:

Photo courtesy of Raúl Villanueva

Currently, the project is an experimental stage, whereby hydraulic facilities are used to test artificial elements against hydrodynamic conditions. The biodegradable prototype is being developed and the ecologic meaning of the restoration process are also done parallel. At the same time, collaboration between other countries and institutes is sought in order to expand the reach of the project. Field applications would be the next big step once the experiments have delivered positive results.

Photo courtesy of Maike Paul

Photo courtesy of Raúl Villanueva

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Contact E-mail: villanueva@lufi.uni-hannover.de Website: www.sea-art.org/en/