Welcome to the
Disaster Risks and Needs Assessment Tool
Introduction
This Disaster Risks and Disaster Preparedness Needs Assessment Checklist (DRDPNAC) is designed to provide a tool that MSMEs can use in order to gauge their vulnerability to disaster risks and to ascertain their own needs in terms of knowledge, skills, and resources to be able to avoid, reduce, or mitigate the impacts of disasters in their businesses.
The formulation of the items of the checklist was scientifically informed by the results of the research conducted by the Social Development Research Center of De La Salle University-Manila. The said research involved group interviews with selected MSMEs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who encountered disasters and emergency situations in the past. Key informant interviews were also conducted with local disaster risk reduction management officers as well as Department of Trade and Industry representatives. Two validation workshops were likewise held in order to solicit feedback and suggestions to further enhance the said tools. In addition, the checklist was also circulated to PDRF partners for comments.
The tool has four components, namely, vulnerability assessment based on location, perceived likelihood of disaster risks, pre-disaster needs assessment inventory, and perceived likelihood of impacts. Results of these components may be used as MSMEs craft their disaster preparedness plan as well as their business continuity plan.
This tool has 4 components
1. Vulnerability Based on Location
There are 18 items in this section. Any item answered “yes” indicates that MSMEs must develop risk controls to respond to a specific disaster that may arise resulting from the peculiar characteristics of the business location. For scoring purposes, every “yes” answer corresponds to 1 point. “No” and “I do not know” answers correspond to no points.
2. Perceived Likelihood of Disaster Risk
This section contains 12 items. They measure the perceived likelihood that various disasters may happen in the area that could potentially impact MSMEs. For this component, respondents are asked to indicate their perception by choosing one of the following: most likely, likely, very unlikely, and remote.
3. Pre-Disaster Needs Assessment Inventory
This section contains 10 domains. The purpose of this inventory is to allow MSMEs to reflect on which aspects they need to improve on as well as the changes they need to make or adopt in order to ensure that they are better prepared when disasters impact their business. Each “yes” answer will be given 1 point while each “no” answer will be given no points. This inventory shall also serve as a list or menu of what needs to be done and prepared to decrease risks and vulnerabilities of MSMEs. An item with a “no” answer indicates that such arrangement needs to be addressed by the MSME. The results of this tool can help inform the MSME’s disaster preparedness plan. Please note that if you have more than one business, you should use separate forms for each.
4. Perceived Level of Likelihood of Impacts
There are 49 items in this section. This section aims to know the perception of MSMEs regarding the likelihood of disaster impacts. Response options for this section include “most likely”, “likely”, “unlikely”, and “remote”.