ABOUT CDRC

Helping People Help Themselves Since 1984

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center Foundation, Inc. (CDRC) is a non-governmental organization that pioneered and continues to promote community-based disaster management in the Philippines.

Documentary photo of CDRC volunteers and Philippine community leaders organizing community-based disaster management and relief operations
CDRC community disaster management field consultation and assembly in the Philippines

INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND

Who We Are

EST. 1984 : PIONEERING COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center Foundation, Inc. (CDRC) is a non-governmental organization that pioneered and continues to promote community-based disaster management in the Philippines. CDRC operates nationwide through an established network of regional partners and people’s organizations.

Organized in 1984, the organization focuses its assistance on the most affected, least served, and most vulnerable sectors of the population through disaster preparedness and mitigation, emergency response, and recovery programs.

SEC-REGISTERED

Non-profit, non-stock resource agency operating across the Philippines.

DSWD ACCREDITED

Licensed to implement disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery programs.

BENEFICIARIES

Prioritizing Those
Most Vulnerable

CDRC prioritizes the most affected, least served, and most vulnerable communities.

Special attention is also given to communities with compounded vulnerabilities.

01. CHILDREN

02. WOMEN

03. THE ELDERLY

04. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

05. INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FRAIL OR CHRONICALLY ILL

“CDRC recognizes that these sectors face heightened risks and therefore ensures that its programs are inclusive, responsive, and grounded in their specific needs and conditions.”

INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE

Mission

CDRC assists the vulnerable sectors to comprehensively respond to disaster situations and addresses the root causes of their vulnerabilities. CDRC offers itself to the most needy, deprived, and poorest segments of Philippine society whose socio-economic conditions make them highly vulnerable to hazards and disasters, giving special attention to children, women, the frail elderly, and the differently-abled sectors.

INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT

Our Vision

CDRC envisions a just, humane, and prosperous society where the people are free to chart the course their society takes by harnessing the country’s resources,

where people equitably share the nation’s wealth and have access to essential social services, are provided full economic opportunities and in turn, contribute their best for the country’s development;

where people are free to exercise their rights, meaningfully participate in decision-making, and actively take part in a truly democratic country;

whose people are proud of a rich Filipino culture that mirrors the people’s history and cultural heritage, promotes nationalism, and scientific thinking;

where people are responsible in sustaining a healthy environment and abundant natural resources; and where people possess the utmost capacity to build disaster-resilient communities through community-based disaster management.

PRINCIPLES & ETHICS

Our Core Values

The values that guide CDRC's work, programs, services, and engagement with communities.

01

PEOPLE-ORIENTED

CDRC places the people at the center of all its programs and services. At the heart of its every action, is the welfare of the vulnerable it serves. Tasks, programs and projects are all focused on uplifting the condition of the people, especially the most vulnerable members of the community.

02

INCLUSIVE

CDRC ensures that its projects and services are inclusive, especially to the most marginalized sectors such as children, women, people with disability, indigenous people, older people, and LGBTQ+. No one should be left behind in uplifting the condition of people in the community, sectors with special needs should be given necessary attention.

03

SCIENTIFIC

CDRC strives for a science-based approach to all its actions and advocacies. Tasks should be performed based on analysis of concrete conditions.

04

ENVIRONMENTALIST

CDRC strives to implement its activities with minimum adverse impact to the environment. Programs and projects should give due consideration to protection of the environment to ensure sustainability.

05

COMMITTED

CDRC's pride is its strong commitment to community service and to the welfare of the people. The organization is highly motivated to serve the most affected and least served communities.

06

TRANSFORMATIVE

CDRC ensures that its actions do not perpetuate a backward and oppressive system but instead aims for its actions to be transformative towards positive change. Tasks, programs and projects are all geared towards transforming vulnerable communities to resilient and sustainable communities.

PROGRAM AREAS

What We Do

CDRC is licensed and accredited by DSWD to implement disaster preparedness trainings, emergency response, recovery and rehabilitation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation programs.

01

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & MITIGATION

Focus on strengthening the ability of vulnerable communities to prepare for and withstand disasters.

02

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Focus on responding to disaster situations and addressing urgent needs.

03

RECOVERY & REHABILITATION

Focus on supporting communities as they recover and rebuild after disasters.

04

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION & MITIGATION

Focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities and approaches that support resilient and sustainable communities.

Working Across the
Philippines

CDRC operates nationwide through a network of regional partners and people’s organizations.

Philippines nationwide disaster response partner network map motif

INSTITUTIONAL STANDING

An Established Resource Agency

Verified legal registration, official government accreditations, and programmatic mandates in community-based disaster management.

ESTABLISHED

1984

Four decades of pioneering community-based disaster management and dedicated service across the Philippines.

REGISTRATION

SEC Non-Profit

SEC-registered as a non-profit, non-stock resource agency.

ACCREDITATION

DSWD Licensed

Licensed and accredited by DSWD.

PROGRAM AREAS

Core Mandate

Disaster preparedness trainings, emergency response, recovery and rehabilitation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation programs.

BE PART OF THE MISSION

Help Build
Disaster-Resilient Communities

Be part of efforts that help vulnerable communities prepare for disasters, respond to emergencies, recover after disaster situations, and build resilience through community-based disaster management.