Mitigating the Impact of Natural Disasters in Philippines: A Report

This report, prepared by a student, focuses on mitigating the impact of natural disasters in the Philippines, with a particular emphasis on the role of the Australian government's disaster aid scheme. It begins by highlighting the devastating effects of natural disasters on both developing and developed countries, emphasizing the long-term consequences for economic growth and human lives. The report proposes a multi-faceted approach that includes natural hazard and risk assessment, the strengthening of public sector capabilities, and improved access to financial services. It outlines key activities such as governmental rules, scientific data collection, and research to support effective disaster risk management. The proposed outcomes include efficient management of disaster damage, integration of risk management into long-term national investment policies, and broadening the basis for funding through various financial mechanisms. The report addresses crucial aspects of post-disaster resettlement, including infrastructure development, causality management, health-related development, provision of food and necessities, and the development of disaster management teams. It highlights the author's expertise as a consultant and the utilization of Australian expertise and resources, including financial aid and skilled human capital, to assist the Philippines. The report also examines the alignment of the proposed concept with Australian foreign, development, and trade policies, emphasizing the long-standing bilateral relationship and increasing trade volume between Australia and the Philippines. The overall goal is to provide a sustainable and comprehensive approach to disaster mitigation that supports both economic and social development.

Running head: APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Mitigating the impact of natural disasters in developed or developing countries
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Concept description:
Natural disasters have a very strong negative impact on the economy and in life of
people. Every year, thousands of people die or get affected due to natural disasters in many
corners of the world. These disasters cause direct and indirect losses. This is a very serious
concern for the developing as well as for the develop countries (Dominey-Howes, Gorman-
Murray & McKinnon, 2014). The EOI focuses on reducing the impact of natural disasters on
Philippines with the help of the disaster aid scheme by the Australian government.
To reduce the impact of natural disasters, the first thing to be done is to understand the
range of devastation caused by these disasters. These cause adverse long term consequences for
the economic growth and development in a country. Hence, actions should be taken to assess the
potential damages and effective disaster management, so that the effects on mankind can be
reduced (Smith, 2013).
The Scheme priorities are to make a strong regional collaboration, strengthen the
capability of the public sector in the developing countries, such as, Philippines, which is a natural
disaster prone country, and improving the access to financial services. When a natural calamity
occurs, every sector of the economy gets affected negatively, and the impact is more in the
developing countries, like Philippines due to weaker economy. The disaster management aims to
reduce the impact of natural disasters, which includes almost every sector of the economy of the
affected country or region. For example, through hazard and risk management under the funding
scheme, the collaboration of the regions occurs. As the funding comes, the public sector of the
developing country can improve its quality of service for addressing the constraints. The aid also
helps to support the financial sector of the country to develop(Stone, 2014).

2APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
The main activities include the following things.
 Natural hazard and risk assessment and management, done on a priority basis.
 The governmental rules for suitable task management strategies for making financial
plans for the next 8-10 years will be followed.
 For effective disaster risk management, quality and reliable scientific information is
extremely important. Hence, global and regional research and the information systems
should be supported to collect data and analyze them accurately for forecasting (Filatova,
2014).
The proposed outcomes are the efficient management of the damage from disasters.
 The risk management would be integrated in long term national investment policies and
development strategies and those will be reflected in allocation of the financial resources.
 Through the long term financial plan, the basis for the funding would be broadened, and
various combinations of mechanisms would be applied at different levels of loss coverage
for overcoming the hurdles for increased insurance coverage and capital market tools and
equipment (Melo Zurita et al., 2015).
When these activities would go ahead, the difference would be visible in infrastructure,
information systems, and economic development. However, the difference would be best visible
if a disaster happens in future. How much the country has prepared itself for the natural disaster
with the help of the aid can only be tested accurately if another disaster happens.
The counterparts and implementation partners in these activities would be the
infrastructural development companies under the Philippines government and some private

3APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
sector companies. Contracts need to be made with these companies for undertaking the
developmental activities.
Development need to be addressed
Resettlement post disaster is a very difficult process, for development after any natural
disaster, there has to be recovery assessment report. The report would focus on the areas that
would require development. The development needs largely depends upon the type of natural
disaster. Some of the measures taken for resettlement are same while other areas of development
differ. Practically in all the natural disasters the infrastructure are required to be developed. Post
natural disasters, be it earthquakes, tsunamis or floods, the damage to the infrastructure is caused
(Stone, 2014).
Causalities Management- There are a number of causalities that are being caused by the
disasters, these causalities require immediate attention, the injured people are required to be
provided medical assistance. This is the very first step that is required to be taken care, because
some of the causalities’ conditions are very critical and lack of medical assistance might lead to
further health concerns, which might be fatal.
Health related development- Apart from the causalities management there are number of
other activities that are required to be done, at times there are cases that disasters causes outbreak
of certain infectious diseases which not taken care would result in risking the health and safety of
other people as well. The victims with less severe causalities are required to be given vaccines
and medicines so that they get resistance from other more severe diseases (Filatova, 2014).
Food and other basic necessities- Post disaster, the victims needs to be given food and
water supplies and other necessary items like clothes, blankets and medicines for the victims.

4APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Infrastructure development needs- Post disaster there is disruption of the normal lives of
people, after the assessment of the damages, certain steps for infrastructure development is done.
The roads, buildings, communication networks, like phone and mobile towers are affected,
public places, the modes of conveyance are also affected. In this step of development scheme in
order to start the resettlement, quick actions are to taken for construction of damaged roads and
public places. The disrupted networks are to be reconstructed so that communicating becomes
easier (Blaikie et al., 2014).
Resettlement- Since after disasters the lives of the people are not like it had been before,
there are huge damages that are caused to the wealth and personal belongings of the people, for
them starting their normal lives would require funds. Compensation and the damage costs are to
be provided to the victims so that they can start their lives like before. In developing countries
like Philippines where Agriculture is the chief occupation, the sad part is that agricultural lands
are very much affected by disasters like floods, famines and tsunamis and plantations are
destroyed by disasters like cyclones. The people are required to be provided employment so that
they can start their lives like before (Klomp, 2016).
Development of disaster management team- The disaster management team are required
to be trained properly so that in future they can respond to this type of crisis situations in a better
and efficient manner, natural disasters cannot be predicted and can also not be prevented so
people are required to be prepared for it before hand (Deuchert & Felfe, 2015).

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Why are you best-placed to address this development need? How does the concept utilize
Australian expertise?
As a consultant, I think my expertise, experience and knowledge in this particular area
makes me eligible for being the consultant on this particular issue. As a consultant, I have
provided suggestions to various other organizations who volunteer for disaster management post
disasters. The recommendations have always been effective and all the areas of development are
generally covered in this particular topic. My experience in this field gave e knowledge to be an
expert for providing expert advises, moreover my organization is an expert organization when it
comes to providing assistance in such situations. We have collaborations with some of the finest
research teams in Australia that provides reports in this particular context, which help us provide
best consultation on scenarios based on the type of disaster and the nature of calamities. After
working in this area for almost ten years, I have known the detailed concepts of disaster
management and its aftermath. I have previously provided my consultation to countries like
Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. My consultations in those countries have been very effective and
since then many other organizations have consulted our firm so that appropriate measures can be
taken in this context of disasters (Neumayer, Plümper & Barthel, 2014).
A lot of factors are considered while making a development scheme or plan for countries
like Philippines, which is a developing country and where disasters affect the lively hood of the
people to great extent. Floods and famines completely destroy the infrastructure and agriculture
which is the main profession of people in that country. Therefore, it is very important that the
resettlement and development plan be made as early as possible so that the people start to live
like before. Our firm provides the best guidance in this reference. Apart from that we have tie-
ups with therapists who provide counseling sessions for the victims so that they can start their

6APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
lives like before. The aftermath of disasters leaves a long-lasting impact on the minds of
survivors so this particular service is provided to the countries as a token of help from our
organization as we do not consider this as business rather our moral and ethical responsibility to
help the disaster-hit countries (Takahashi, Tandoc & Carmichael, 2015).
Australia is considered as developed economies and has sufficient resources, both
financial and human. This resources and capabilities can be utilized in assisting the people of any
other developing country. The location of Australia is also very favorable in terms providing
assistance to Philippines, the assistance can be provided through airways. The skilled human
capital of Australia can be provided to the country to provide physical assistance in case of
disasters. The cordial relationship of Australia and Philippines forms a very logical ground for
providing assistance to the country. The disaster management tea of Australia is very effective as
it can act effectively during the times of disasters. There are many skilled people whose
capabilities can be used for managing the disasters. The technologies used in Australia are quite
advanced and it can be used for providing assistance in such situations (Childfund.org, 2014).
How does the concept complement Australian foreign, development and trade policies in
the relevant country or region?

7APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Australia Philippines relationship dates back to 1946, when Australia opened a Consulate
of General in Manila. The countries are engaged in bilateral relation and comprehensive
partnership. Australia has a strong foreign and trade policy for Philippines and along with the
comprehensive partnership, the relationship has become more strong over the 70 years. The
increasing people-to-people link, assistance for developing the sustainable growth, investment
and trade for expanding the economic ties, and in other sectors. ASEAN Australia New Zealand
Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) supports the trade relationship with Philippines
(Philippines.embassy.gov.au, 2017). The trade volume has been increasing over the years. The
level of migration, investment and aids from Australia has increased significantly in the past
decade. Australia provided $10 million aid to Philippines in 2013 after the disaster of Typhoon
Haiyan happened (ABC News, 2013). In this scenario, the government funding scheme for
natural disaster management would be welcomed by Philippines. Australia has invested AUD 9.6
billion in 2014 in Philippines, while the total Philippine investment in Australia was AUD 600
million. More than 200 Australian firms have opened their business in Philippines and have
generated employment of over 30,000 Filipino people (Amador, 2017). When a natural disaster
hits Philippines, these Australian companies would also suffer along with the Filipino industries.
Hence, the Australian government should increase the funding towards natural disaster
management in Philippines. This would not only benefit the economic sector, but would have a
long term effect on the lives of people. The economy includes education sector, health sector,
financial sector, industries, manufacturing, services, and travel and tourism sectors. The funding
scheme must include developmental conditions for all these sectors, because, these are regulatory
forces of the lives of people in a country. Apart from the funding from the Australian
government, many private investors are welcome to come forward for providing relief funds in

8APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
Philippines. The private and public collaboration in funding would be more helpful, as this
would enable the organizations to focus on specific sectors. Thus, the allocation of funds and its
utilization would be more efficient (Benson & Clay, 2012).
The involvement of other donor organizations will increase the amount of total aid from
Australia to Philippines. This would not only improve the trade and investment relationships
between the two countries, but will also improve the quality of life of the Filipino people even
after any disaster happens. If the public and private sector organizations provide conditional
grant, meant to be utilized in a particular sector, such as health, education or infrastructure, the
efficient allocation of funds would bring more effective outcome in terms of development. This
helps in overall improvement of the disaster affected region. Thus, with liberal trade and
investment policies and strong economic relations, the grant in aid scheme of the Australian
government for the natural disaster prone Philippines would be beneficial for the developing
economy of Philippines (Redcross.org.au, 2015).

9APPLIED INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING
References
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News. Retrieved 10 September 2017, from
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Amador, J. (2017). Implications of the Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership. Center
for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS). Retrieved 10 September 2017,
from http://www.fsi.gov.ph/implications-of-the-philippines-australia-comprehensive-
partnership/
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