Coordination, Capacities and Role of Municipal Authorities

The Philippines Case

Rory VillalunaPhilippines WASH

CLUSTER Coordinator (UNICEF co-lead) October 17, 2012

Urban Context

• More densely populated – more populations/families affected causing overcrowding and congestion in camps

• Concrete pavements • But many support facilities such as fast food chains,

schools, clinics, more private sector donations

RECENT URBAN EMERGENCIES KETSANA(SEPT 2009)

WASHI (Dec 2011)

Southwest Monsoon(August 2012)

Magnitude 993,227 families, 4,901,234 persons 2,018 barangays in 172 municipalities16 cities,26 provinces, 12 regions, 244 Evac. Camps

131,618 familes,698,882 persons866 barangays,60 municipalities,9 cities,13 provinces, 8 Regions,54 Evac. Camps

992,562 families, 4,451,711 persons, 2764 barangays, 181 municipalities, 36 cities, 17 provinces 6 regions , 729 Evacuation Camps

WASH Concerns

Overcrowding and congested Evacuation Camps, Damage to water supply sources and facilities; unsafe water sources, Lack of adequate number of gender-disaggregated toilet facilities, lack of drainage systems and desludging facilities, lack of hygiene kits, locally appropriate hygiene IEC materials,

CHALLENGES OF EMERGENCIES IN METRO MANILA

Overcrowding in temporary shelters such as schools and covered courts

Extreme flooding, Damaged water and waste water facilities

Coordination for Urban Emergencies

Scenario 2: With major damage to water supply facility of water service provider ; request for international assistance is activated

WSP restores water system with minor repairs, mobilizes fleet of trucks and dispatches to ECs in close coordination with city gov’t

Scenario 1: With minimum damage to water supply facility of water service provider (WSP)

DOH regional office took on leadership of the WASH cluster.

-Experienced DOH staff from other provinces provided support- Cluster co-lead

Pro-active participation in the cluster by the City Health Officers enabled direct feedback and information on priorities

WASH Focal Point agencies were organized to monitor/ facilitate WASH concerns in cluster of ECs (served as central WASH contact point per EC for a holistic approach

Local Capacities • National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Framework in place (legal mandate, institutionalized set-up)- mandates local mitigation and rehabilitation plans

• Cluster Approach is also institutionalized at national level

However: the critical challenges are: A. Weak and unprepared Local Regional/City/Municipal

offices with Emergency/DRRM staff B. Unprepared at risk communities

Challenges and Gaps

• 433 cities and municipalities nationwide identified as vulnerable to landslides and flashfloods

• Prolonged displacements • Inadequate local capacities for

contingency planning, horizontal and vertical coordination,

• Lack of joint efforts towards Emergency Preparedness activities

IS THERE A ROLE FOR HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES IN THE URBAN CONTEXT? IF YES, WHAT? WHAT LESSONS CAN BE

LEARNED FROM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?

• For the Philippines, issues and concerns for urban and rural emergencies almost the same where WASH remains to be a huge challenge in emergencies:

• Must refocus strategy to preparedness- support to build local capacities

• National government redefining camp management guidelines and planning for large camps – opportunity to preposition

Any questions?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!