#TaclobanDeclaration: Pledge to prepare for disasters

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has experienced the worst of disasters, including Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which killed at least 6,300 people, displaced around 4.1 million people, and damaged infrastructure worth over P9.58 billion. 

Many lessons from the disaster have been learned, and translating them into policy and action is one of the biggest challenges. 

On Thursday and Friday, June 5 to 6, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management will be held in the Philippines to tackle this challenge. (LIVE BLOG: Summit on #TaclobanDeclaration)

‘Tacloban Declaration’

Against the backdrop of post-Yolanda recovery efforts, about 150 delegates from 36 different Asian and European countries will come up with new principles for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) framework.

To be named Tacloban Declaration, the new framework policy for DRRM will be launched and adapted by the participating countries including the Philippines.

The country’s experience in dealing with disasters, particularly efforts to build resilient communities, can enrich DRRM policy. 

Communities and individuals can help shape policy by sharing their own exemplary initiatives.

Pledge and prepare

MovePH, Rappler’s citizen journalism arm, calls on netizens to make their own pledge of commitment on disaster preparedness. The submissions will be aggregated to form the netizens’ version of the Tacloban Declaration. 

Here’s how you can participate: 

Step 1: Make your own pledge 

Whether as individuals or as a group, you can help your families and communities prepare for disasters. 

To make your own pledge, fill in the blank: 

“I pledge to ________________ in order to prepare for disasters. #TaclobanDeclaration”

Step 2: Post on social media with the hashtag #TaclobanDeclaration

You can be creative in sharing your pledge. Tweet your pledge or share your commitment through photos or graphics. 

Don’t forget to share this with your network and encourage your friends and colleagues to submit their contribution to the #TaclobanDeclaration.

Step 3: Translate your online pledge to offline action

Most importantly, walk your talk. Translate your online pledge into concrete action that will help communities adapt to climate change, and become better prepared for disasters, response, and recovery. We look forward to hearing about the success of your initiatives in the future. – Rappler.com