Why FRMC?
How we measure community flood resilience
There is a lack of evidence about which pre-event resilience-building initiatives actually make a difference when a flood comes. In fact, in one of its papers (Winderl, 2014), the United Nations Development Program stated, “No general measurement framework for disaster resilience has been empirically verified yet”.

Measuring the change made by resilience-building efforts is key for demonstrating impact in communities. So, in December 2013, the Alliance set out to develop a framework for measuring community flood resilience, including a methodology for testing and empirically validating the framework, and a technology-based data-gathering and evaluation tool for measurement and assessment of flood resilience.

These two parts, the conceptual framework and the practical application using a tool, form the Flood Resilience Measurement for Communities (FRMC).

The FRMC process is often part of a wider community disaster risk reduction program and does not stand alone. It uses a robust data gathering and analysis framework to thoroughly assess a community’s existing level of flood resilience.
The process involves collecting data to assess 44 indicators that have the capability of generating resilience, called sources of resilience. The 44 sources of resilience are structured, among others, using the five capitals (5Cs) of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: human, natural, physical, social, and financial. An analysis of the data about the sources of resilience, and consequently, the five capitals, provides a clear picture of the community’s weaknesses and its strengths and how its strengths can be harnessed to improve the weaker aspects.

The gathered data is analyzed through a number of different lenses, which helps highlight any interconnections and dependencies in the data. This deep, systemic and multi-dimensional insight can help the community to identify and implement resilience-building interventions that aim to effectively build its resilience.

The FRMC process is supported by a web-based tool and an app for mobile devices that allow for the effective designing of studies and smooth and seamless data collection and analysis.

Find out more about the underlying research that led the development.


Find out more about the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance.
Stories from the field
FRMC practitioners around the world share their experience of using FRMC in communities.
Click a thumbnail to listen in.
What has FRMC helped you do differently?
Brenda Ávila
Program Coordinator
Mexican Red Cross
Cristina Perez
National DRM Advisor
Plan International, El Salvador
Bikram Rana
Project Manager
Practical Action Nepal
Name: Said Bushaj
Role: Project Leader
Organization: Albanian Red Cross
What benefits of using the FRMC have you seen?
Gabriel Reyes
Field Coordinator
Mexican Red Cross
Cinthia Almeida
Forestry Engineer
Practical Action
Miguel Arestegui
Practical Action
Peru
Cristina Perez
National DRM Advisor
Plan International, El Salvador
Surendra Thagunna
Program Coordinator
CSDR Nepal
Dharam Uprety
Thematic Lead—DRR
Practical Action, Nepal
FMRC testimonial Concern Bangladesh
Name: Zakia Naznin
Role: Project Manager
Organization: Concern Worldwide
Name: Said Bushaj
Role: Project Leader
Organization: Albanian Red Cross
How does FRMC help with community engagement?
Cristina Perez
National DRM Advisor
Plan International, El Salvador
Paulo Cerino
Operational Manager
Red Cross
Janak Ram Chaudhary
Field Officer
CSDR, Nepal
Name: Said Bushaj
Role: Project Leader
Organization: Albanian Red Cross
Why would you recommend FRMC to other practitioners?
Cristina Perez
National DRM Advisor
Plan International, El Salvador
Jimena Cuevas
Knowledge Officer
Mexican Red Cross
Krity Shrestha
Knowledge Officer
Practical Action, Nepal
Name: Said Bushaj
Role: Project Leader
Organization: Albanian Red Cross
What makes the FRMC stand out?
It measures impact and work.
Conducting FRMC studies helps track the quality of the resilience sources over time, thus providing a measure of the impact of the work being done.
It is scalable and allows better community resilience program management.
The FRMC approach is process-driven, and so is scalable and allows teams to select and manage projects well.
It promotes innovative, effective solutions.
The rigorous analysis uncovers the real issues in a community, promoting the use of innovative options and helping teams move away from ‘off the shelf’ solutions.
It facilitates community participation.
The participatory approach used also ensures that the community prioritizes their own development.
Get involved!
Is it right for my organization?
Find out if it’s right for you.
If you are working on flood resilience building, we want to share our approach with you. Review the brochure to find out if the tools could offer you the support your work needs.
Download the Brochure
Request a demo
If you think it could be useful, email us to arrange a demonstration and further discussion. Send us an email at info@floodresilience.net with ‘FRMC Demonstration Enquiry’ in the subject line.
Interested in using the FRMC?
Once you are ready to go ahead, download the FRMC brochure, complete the application form on page 11, and click ‘Submit Form’ to send us your application.
Sign up
Take the FRMC online training.
Once we have reviewed and accepted your application, we will work with you to support the take up of the tools. A key element of that process is the training available to you and your teams. We have developed an online FRMC curriculum which includes 7 modules that introduce you to the FRMC approach and process, and a certification module that tests your understanding on the subject. You can also access 7 skill building modules that help you learn how to effectively use the FRMC.
Understanding FRMC
  1. What Is FRMC?
  2. What Are the Sources of Resilience?
  3. Selecting the Site & Community
  4. Collecting & Grading the Data
  5. Analyzing & Using the Study Results
  6. Planning for Post-Flood Studies
  7. Using the FRMC Tool
Certification
An assessment based on the ‘Understanding FRMC’ modules: Successfully completing this module enables you to get access to the FRMC tool.
Skill building
  • How to Build Community Engagement
  • How to Ensure Data Quality
  • How to Grade the Sources
  • How to Analyze the Results
  • How to Assess & Prioritize Solutions
  • Model Management
  • Troubleshooting the FRMC Tool
We will also provide coaching/mentoring support to help turn your learning into practice.
Register for the training
Already an FRMC User? Get more information here.
Access the demo and live FRMC tool environment and supporting guidance.
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