13/10/2026
Today is the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, and this year’s theme is “Resilience Starts at Home”, a reminder that when disaster strikes, it’s felt first where people live, and that being prepared close to home can make all the difference.
It’s a theme that’s come up in some of our programs, too. At UNLEASH Philippines, one team focused on a problem many families face in the aftermath of a disaster: losing access to clean water when they need it most.
Their solution, Dahum sa Tubig (“Wisdom in Water”), trains families to build low-cost water filters from local materials, so they can secure safe drinking water within 48 hours of a calamity, even when outside help is delayed, giving people the tools to protect themselves and their families when disaster hits close to home.
Then, midway through the program, a typhoon struck. It was a real reminder of why this work matters, and for one Talent, it became the push to do even more. They went on to host UNLEASH Hack Legazpi, bringing people together to tackle disaster resilience in a region all too familiar with typhoons and flooding. Out of it came solutions to help communities stay connected when networks go down, keep an eye on household power during outages, and a guide providing people with information on nearby evacuation sites, safe routes, and proper actions during disasters.
From one Innovation Lab to an UNLEASH Hack, it’s just one of the many ways UNLEASHers are turning the challenges they face into real solutions, and building a safer future for the people around them. 🌍
