HACHERO, Zyra Camille G.

2014-09435/ BS MatE
ENG 10 WFU3
Prof. Sandra Nicole Roldan
5 TED Talks
19 August 2014
Word Count: 598

Disaster Risk Reduction

A. Michael McDaniel : Cheap, effective shelter for disaster relief

Michael McDaniel is the maker and pioneer of the Exo Reaction Housing
System a series of portable, cheap disaster relief shelters. He is a graphic designer
who wishes nothing more than to use his skills to help people in meaningful
ways. The Exo Reaction Housing System should be wisely used here in the
Philippines, with its average of 19 typhoons per year and the great population of
people living in the so called squatters area. Not only is it cheap, but its ability
to be portable makes it efficient for transportation and storage, and its mobility to
be set-up in any place, makes it a great system for temporary housing here in our
country.

B. Shigeru Ban : Emergency shelters made from paper

Pritzker price winning architect Shigeru Ban uses paper or cardboard
tubes as building materials for his projects. The success of his remarkable
structures, has paved way for his project to be used for temporary housing in
disaster-struck nations. Just last year, the Philippines was struck not only by one,
but with numerous disasters, leaving infrastructures and buildings broken and
lots of Filipinos homeless. Bans ecological and cost-effective project can be used
for immediate disaster relief and to help build homes for the illegal settlers, that
are sturdy and durable.

C. Erik Hersman: Reporting crisis via texting

Erik Hersman facilitates a host of web and mobile projects that aims the
use of technology in Africa in raising awareness and helping people. His most
successful program is called Ushahidi, that allowed Kenyans to report and track
violence via cell phone texts following the 2008 elections, and has evolved to
continue saving lives in other countries. It is well known that Philippines is the
texting capital of the world. The technology of Ushahidi will help benefit each
Filipino from preventing and averting future crisis, including incoming natural
disasters and putting a stop to crime. The technology will help alert people about
an incoming typhoon, what to do in case of floods, help find the nearest
evacuation center and help alert the officials of what is happening in their place.
D. Caitria + Morgan O'Neill: How to step up in the face of disaster
Sisters Caitria and Morgan ONeill were having a normal day, when
suddenly they heard news of a tornado hitting their hometown, Monson,
Massachusetts. After driving home, these two took lead in the relief effort by
working as the lead volunteer coordinators. After this intense experience, Catria
and Morgan have translated their system into organizing software for local
coordinators, through the website Recovers.org. This is the kind of leadership
that is expected from the government, and needed by the Philippines when
disasters struck. In times of disaster, we need volunteers who are selfless and
willing to lend a hand. We have many volunteers, but what we lack are the
determined and organized leaders that should be stepping up in the face of
disaster.

E. Jake Wood: A new mission for veterans -- disaster relief

Jake Wood is the CEO of Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization that
provides military veterans with the opportunity to continue their service by
responding to natural disasters and global crises. Woods himself is a military
veteran, and this pursued him to create Team Rubicon. The Philippines, instead
of using military veterans, we can make use of retired senior citizens who are still
fit to do the job, for disaster relief operations. What they seek is to be given a
purpose and by making them help, you hit two birds with one stone.

Sources:

Ban, Shigeru. "Emergency Shelters Made From Paper." TED.com. TEDxTokyo,

May 2013. Web. 18 Aug. 2013.

Hersman, Erik. "Reporting Crisis via Texting." TED.com. TED Conference, Feb.
2009. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.

McDaniel, Michael. "Cheap, Effective Shelter for Disaster Relief." TED.com.

TEDxAustin, Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.

O'Neill, Caitria, and Morgan O'Neill. "How to Step up in the Face of Disaster."
TED.com. TEDxBoston, June 2012. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.

Woods, Jake. "A New Mission for Veterans-disaster Relief." TED.com.

TEDxSanDiego, Dec. 2011. Web. 19 Aug. 2014.