Sustainably reducing vulnerability to multi-hazards through a ridge-to-reef community approach in EasternVisayas (VIVAR2es)

Populations of Eastern Visaya are highly vulnerable to the impacts of hydro-geological hazards. Despiteexisting regional hazard maps, local authorities lack capacities to implement adequate risk reductionpolicies. The VIVAR²es project addresses the limited integration of ridge-to-reef (R2R) hazard andvulnerability information into DRR planning & implementation, due to limited local expertise and insufficientcommunity participation. It will pilot in the Pagbanganan River Basin in Baybay City (165 km²), selected for itsridge-to-reef connectivity, fishermen and farmers’ communities vulnerable to cascading hazards (landslides,floods, and coastal hazards), and exposure to high-risk practices (quarrying, illegal logging). The project aimsto demonstrate the added value of a R2R vulnerability assessment developed with policymakers andvulnerable groups, while building the institutional capacity, leveraging geospatial technologies, andparticipatory assessment to produce localized risk maps and decision-support tools, including evidence fornature-based solutions’ effectiveness.