We have been here before: Lessons in resilience after Typhoon Haiyan

"Risk reduction and resilience are becoming part of our operational DNA. This is especially true in the Philippines. For decades the Red Cross has invested in local-level disaster risk reduction and mitigation projects in hazard-prone regions of the country. A recent cost-benefit analysis of community infrastructure projects — including a bridge connecting communities during the monsoon season and more robust seawalls — proved that money dedicated to preparedness is money well-spent.

Perhaps the most important lesson that we can all take away from the past — which we’re building on today — is that both resilience and recovery live and thrive at the community level. Accountability is paramount — this means we put people and families at the heart of our programs by including their perspectives in the design, implementation and monitoring of recovery efforts," writes IFRC President Tadateru Konoe in his opinion piece on the pages of Devex.