Community-driven disaster intervention: Experiences of the Homeless People's Federation Philippines, Incorporated (HPFPI

This paper describes the experiences of the Philippines Homeless People’s Federation in
community-driven measures to avoid disasters, in disaster preparedness and in disaster
response. This is discussed in light of five disasters with large impacts on low-income
groups: the Payatas trash-slide in Manila; the landslide in barangay Guinsaugon; the Mount
Mayon mudflow and floods; the fire that devastated the Lower Tipolo Homeowner
Association land in Cebu; and the flashflood in Iloilo (see Table 1).

The Federation is a national network of 161 urban-poor community associations and savings
groups with more than 70,000 individual members. It represents communities and their
savings groups from 18 cities and 15 municipalities. Members promote community savings
for building their own financial capacities, and for community development and social
cohesion. The Federation and its community associations are also engaged in a wide range
of initiatives to secure land tenure, to build or improve homes and to increase economic
opportunity. The Federation also works with low-income communities residing in areas at
high risk from disasters, assisting in reducing risks or, where needed, in voluntary
resettlement; also in community-driven post-disaster reconstruction.