On 28^th April, the Philippine Red Cross hosted a ‘Disaster Law Orientation Session’ to introduce their plans for disaster law work in the Philippines in 2016 and beyond.  This initiative follows several years of disaster law work, which has included stakeholder consultation workshops and providing feedback into national law and policy development processes.

This new phase of work in the Philippines will focus largely on building the knowledge and capacity of Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers in disaster law and legislative advocacy.

“As an auxiliary to government and the most prominent community-based organization in our country, Philippine Red Cross is exceptionally well-placed to support the implementation and dissemination of disaster laws and procedures”, explained the Secretary General of PRC, Ms. Gwendolyn Pang, in her opening speech.   “We will be actively working to build the capacity of our National Society though disaster law initiatives. This will put us in a stronger, more informed position to influence national law and policy processes in the interests of the communities which we serve”, she stated.  

There was a great turnout at the orientation event from across the RCRC movement, including Partner National Societies and the ICRC.

Powerpoint presentations from the orientation session:

• Introduction to Disaster Law by Lucia Cipullo, IFRC Regional Disaster Law Delegate for Southeast Asia
• Orientation session for Philippine Disaster Law Initiative by Resty Lou Talamayan, Philippine Red Cross Disaster law focal point