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The Philippines got a boost for its three new projects that will help the country adapt to the effect of climate change and further reduce the risks of natural disasters. This is from the Australian government who said they will provide P123 million to support the country’s projects, according to Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith.

Smith said, “Australia supports the Philippine government’s efforts in disaster risk education. While disasters cannot be avoided, we can significantly reduce the exposure and vulnerability of your people by increasing their knowledge and understanding of natural hazards.”

The three projects were launched during the Asia Pacific Policy Forum on Climate Change Adaptation hosted by the Australian Embassy.

Presidential Advisor on Climate Change Heherson Alvarez was on hand during the said event, together with Senator Loren Legarda. Other participants in the said forum include senior representatives the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), UN Development Programme (UNDP), Oxfam, the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, World Bank, Makati Business Club and the academe.

The ambassador said, “the project will help develop and implement local land use plans so that physical infrastructure and communities are protected from, and less exposed to, natural hazards such as landslides, floods, and sea level rises that may be a consequence of climate change.”

He added, “Australia will provide technical assistance to Namria to improve the quality and timeliness of geospatial information. Namria will work closely with other agencies involved in disaster risk management, to produce more accurate and timely information to emergency stakeholders and threatened communities to assist them to better prepare for natural disasters.”

“Australia will support Oxfam to ensure that good community practice and knowledge on disaster risk reduction informs national policy. Many communities in the Philippines have developed coping mechanisms that can be replicated more broadly. Oxfam will document cases of and produce information on best-practice community-based initiatives to share with key regions, especially in high-risk areas.”

This is the 13th APPF forum hosted by the embassy in the country, and it aims to facilitate a policy dialogue that strengthens partnerships between Australia and the Philippines.

The Australian government has already contributed approximately P185 million since 2006 to support the Philippines on disaster related activities including multi-hazard mapping, community-based disaster management, and emergency and humanitarian response.