Aklan village uses evacuation center to improve disaster resilience

The residents of Brgy. Napaan, Malay, Aklan, along with other stakeholders developed a community-led project (CLP) which focuses on building resilience to floods and rain-induced landslides. The Napaan Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center serves as its small-scale infrastructure component.

The structure was completed in late 2021, just in time for Super Typhoon Odette (Rai). It was used as pre-emptive evacuation of more than 200 individuals who were able to stay in the center safely until typhoon signals were lifted.

The community stakeholders continue to operate the ​facility, not only during typhoons but also to serve as the headquarters of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (BDRRMO), as well as a barangay health station.

Today, the multipurpose center is used as a venue for community meetings and delivery of social services. Sustainability mechanisms are also in place to build ownership among the community members and the local government.

The CLP is supported by The Asian Development Bank’s Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) and implemented by Oxfam, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), and the community.