In the community of Banaba, hundreds of residents live in shacks by the riverbank. Every year, when the floods come, those residents are forced to evacuate and their homes are damaged or destroyed. They'd like to live somewhere safer, but they can't afford to move. They need both a well-equipped evacuation centre to stay safe during floods and poverty reduction programmes year-round so that they can become more resilient. This project will meet both of those needs!
Banaba is a community on the outskirts of Manila which lies in a flood plane surrounded by rivers. There is flooding almost every year, and that flooding is devastating for the hundreds of poor families who live along the riverbanks. These families need projects to help them escape poverty and a safe place to shelter during floods. Community group Buklod Tao is ready to provide both, but they don't have the funding they need.
The centre will provide space for disaster risk reduction and development projects as well as providing a safe place for vulnerable families to shelter during floods. Projects that will run year-round at the centre include flood safety education, urban container gardening training, livelihoods initiatives, micro finance, and community development projects. The centre will also be stocked with supplies needed during floods a like food, water, and bedding.
With your help weall equip the centre with everything it needs to meet community needs a from food during floods to furniture for holding large community meetings. Fully equipped, the centre will both save lives during storms and give a community group the permanent base they need to further build local capacity year-round. By investing in this livelihood and evacuation centre, you'll be giving the community of Banaba the ability to meet their own needs for years to come.
