Initial Draft of Samar 2050 Sustainable Development & Climate Resilience Plan Completed

The document will be distributed at the UN's Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) from 14 to 18 October 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila and will be used as a foundation for further development in collaboration with experts and the people of Samar (Samareños). 

The Plan covers a wide range of topics that include:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE
CULTURE
  A. Population Stabilization
  B. Education & Social Development
INFRASTRUCTURE
  A. Resilience R&D
  B. Transportation
  C. Energy
  D. Food & Nutrition
  E. Flood & Landslide Mitigation
  F. Drought Mitigation
  G. Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems
  H. Waste Management & Elimination
ENVIRONMENT & BIO-DIVERSITY
PARTNERSHIPS
NEW CITIES
ACTION PLAN & SCHEDULE

Like most of the Philippines, Samar is facing severe challenges from the climate crisis. Most of the population lives on the coast or next to a river and are vulnerable to floods and ocean level rise. Extreme heat poses a threat to life and the ability to work or attend school. Landslides are becoming increasingly common. Food production is steadily declining. 

As the climate crisis worsens it will require substantial transformation of the Samar's infrastructure, including the construction of new communities on higher ground. Because there is insufficient funds for the transformation and the impacts of climate disasters are draining available funds, a restructuring of the economy will be required, along with some funding from outside sources.

Some of the proposed solutions will be evaluated under local conditions at a new Climate Resilience Research Center being formed in partnership with the Municipality of San Isidro, in Northern Samar.