Filipinos’ disaster preparedness up, but needs more improvement – 2024 Harvard survey

Filipinos are more prepared for natural disasters than seven years ago, but material investments and public support still need to be improved, according to a nationwide survey conducted between February and March 2024 by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI).

On average, the level of disaster preparedness reported by Filipinos increased by 42%, as revealed by HHI’s study on disaster preparedness and climate change perceptions in the Philippines.

The average score – 19.2 points out of 50 – was better than the 13.5 points out of 50 obtained in a 2017 survey conducted by HHI using the same methodology and tool.

“In a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, [however,] this is not enough,” said Vincenzo Bollettino, director of the HHI Resilient Communities program and co-leader of the study.

“The 19.2 points highlight both progress and areas that require urgent attention,” he said in a November 7 press release.

“Scores suggest that Filipinos are only doing 38.4% of the types of disaster preparedness activities needed for recovery,” he added.

Among the five objectives of disaster preparedness, Filipinos scored highest on knowledge (4.9 out of 10) and lowest on social support (2.3 out of 10).

In terms of specific social support activities, less than a quarter of Filipinos belong to a group or organization (23%) and are familiar with their neighborhood. disaster mitigation officers (16%).

Social support too he refused to 2.3 in 2024 from 2.7 out of 10 in 2017.

While many Filipinos discuss emergency plans as a family (58%), less than one-third prepare their own disaster management plan (20%), Go bag (27%), adequate supplies of medications (32%), and first aid. kit (33%).

According to the regions, i The Cordillera Administrative Region (24.0 out of 50), Central Visayas (21.5), and Western Visayas (21.4) reported the highest levels of preparedness. Davao Region (17.3), Negros Island (15.8), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM (15.1), on the other hand, reported the lowest levels of such preparedness.

The Philippine capital of Metro Manila is ranked 11thth at the disaster preparedness level (19.1) and slightly below the national average (19.2). It is also one of the regions with the least progress in disaster preparedness over time, with an increase in preparedness score of 22%, or 3.4 points from 15.7 in 2017.

“I [National Capital Region] it is the heart of the Philippine economy and home to a significant portion of the country’s population, but it is often hit by natural hazards,” said Mr. Bollettino. “Increasing its disaster preparedness is essential.”

The Philippines has it i high risk of disasters in the worldbased on the 2024 WorldRiskReport.

As Patrick Vinck, research director of HHI, says: “improving disaster preparedness in the Philippines requires investing in local leadership and effective technology to improve warning systems and community engagement, among other critical measures.”

“This should be accompanied by investments in strong infrastructure, local energy, and expected actions,” he said in the same press release of November 7. – Patricia B. Mirasol