In our recent Photovoice research study, our Survivor Leadership Council (SLC), a client advisory board composed of survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence, identified a pressing need for more capacity-building opportunities for survivor leaders. In direct response to this feedback, we partnered with the Rise Above Foundation to provide the SLC with training on disaster risk reduction management, a critical issue that intersects with vulnerability for human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Disasters dismantle social structures and essential infrastructure, leaving survivors vulnerable and heightening their risk of re-exploitation. Furthermore, the emotional toll of such disasters can worsen existing mental health conditions, making the journey of recovery and rehabilitation even more challenging. Survivor leaders, who have a firsthand understanding of the vulnerabilities within their communities, are uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights and guidance in both disasters and exploitation. Through this training, survivors can develop practical tools and techniques on how to stay safe, minimize their own risks and those experienced by their communities, and effectively manage and mitigate the effects of disasters.
The training covered various aspects of disaster risk reduction management, including disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, focusing on the four most common disasters experienced in the Philippines–earthquakes, fires, floods, and typhoons. Participants were taught how to identify potential hazards and mobilize resources to respond to disasters in their communities. Most of the SLC members intend to disseminate what they have learned from the training to their families and communities. An SLC member shared their experience from the training:
“Today, I learned about the disaster cycle and how important it is to be prepared for disasters. I also learned how important it is to stay calm during a disaster. I know that it’s not that easy, but it would be very helpful so that we can act accordingly depending on the situation. As an SLC member, it is important to mobilize this learning by discussing it within our group and reaching out to other groups, whether they are other organizations or local government units within the community. We could even create flyers or pamphlets to inform more people and encourage them to be prepared during a disaster.”
The training instilled a sense of ownership and control for survivor leaders, enhancing not only their knowledge of disaster preparedness initiatives but also strengthening community solidarity, resilience, and prevention against trafficking and exploitation in the aftermath of disasters. By providing more capacity-building opportunities, survivor leaders can further strengthen their ability to advocate for themselves and assume formal leadership roles in the community.
