Divinubo is a small island that is roughly one kilometre long and one kilometre wide. It is located approximately 2.5 km off the coast of the city of Borongan, the capital of the province of Eastern Samar. Divinubo is exposed to an array of natural hazards that includes tropical cyclones, storm surges, earthquakes and tsunamis. The largest events occurred in 1984 and 1988 when tropical cyclones Undang and Yuning swept the central part of the Philippine archipelago and wrought havoc in Divinubo. In December 2006, tropical cyclone Seniang struck Divinubo and caused severe damage. Storm surges, locally known as duluk, are the most common phenomena as they occur every rainy season or amihan (the dominant north-eastern winds) between December and May.

The stakeholders in Divinubo island were primarily fisherfolk and a marginal population of agricultural farmers. In the event of a natural hazard, these people rely on their own resources as the island context is restraining and external help is thin and internal infrastructure and institutional development is minimal. Various coping strategies are done in times of crisis like skipping meals, reduction of expenses, and loans.

A P3DM activity was held in Divinubo island in August, 2007 out of a series of visits organized by the LGU of Borongan City as part of a larger natural resource management project. The residents of Divinubo expressed interest for the establishment of a disaster risk reduction program after interviews with key informants and discussions with local officials.