CDRC aims to build capacities of the most vulnerable sectors comprising the poor majority to comprehensively prepare for and respond to potential disaster situations while addressing the root causes of their vulnerabilities through community-based disaster management, people-managed programs and services, and working with social movements that address poverty, social inequalities, and extractive, environmentally-destructive practices, policies and systems. CDRC regards the most vulnerable sectors as those whose socio-economic conditions make them highly vulnerable to hazards and disasters and yet comprise the majority of society, such as the workers, peasants, indigenous peoples, and other low income groups. CDRC gives special attention to those who have added vulnerabilities such as children, women, the frail, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
THE CITIZENS’ DISASTER RESPONSE CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. (CDRC) is a non-government organization that pioneered and continues to promote community-based disaster management in the Philippines. CDRC operates nationwide through a network of regional centers affiliated with the Citizens’ Disaster Response Network (CDRN) and through people’s organizations. Organized in 1984, CDRC focuses its assistance to the most affected, least served and most vulnerable sectors of the population through disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation, emergency relief, recovery and rehabilitation programs.
CDRC responds to minor disasters and major emergencies, among these are the 1984 and 2001 Mt. Mayon eruption, the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo disaster, the 1995 super typhoon Rosing (Angela), the 2000 Payatas garbage avalanche, the 2006 Guinsaugon landslide, the 2006 typhoon Reming (Durian), the 2008 typhoon Frank (Fengshen), the 2009 tphoon Ondoy (Ketsana), the 2011 typhoon Sendong (Washi), the 2012 Pablo (Bopha), the 2013 Bohol Earthquake and typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), and the long-running armed conflict in Mindanao.
Through the years, since 1984, CDRC has touched the lives of millions of Filipinos through its programs. A network of overseas and local supporters enable CDRC to carry out its programs and help communities increase their disaster management capacities. CDRC is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-profit, non-stock social development agency. It is licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to implement relief, rehabilitation, preparedness and mitigation programs.
CDRC is also part of these networks and alliances — the Disaster Risk Reduction Network Philippines (DRRNet Phils) as its Lead Convenor, Consortium for People’s Development – Disaster Response (CPD-DR), Climate Change Network for Community-Based Initiatives (CCNCI), and the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD).