The Challenge: Amplifying Vulnerable Voices
Studies reveal that senior citizens are among the most vulnerable groups during disasters due to inadequate preparedness, poor access to information, and declining traditional resilience practices. Social and economic factors, including youth migration and limited infrastructure, further compound these vulnerabilities.
The Solution: Creative Storytelling Through Folk Songs
In partnership with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), PARC implemented a targeted initiative focused on this challenge. A key innovation was the use of creative storytelling through folk songs to express the voices, experiences, and traditional knowledge of elderly community members.
Project Objectives
The project had two primary objectives: to assess the current state of disaster preparedness among senior citizens, and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing preparedness mechanisms to shape recommendations for improved policies and strategies.
Dissemination and Impact
The folk songs, performed by local senior citizens themselves, were recorded in four diverse locations. These powerful songs, along with four accompanying summary reports, were later published on NDRRMA's official Facebook page to reach a broader national audience.