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Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Programme (CBDRM)

Disaster is defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses that exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope. Communities are the first to experience the effects of any disaster and the first to respond to disasters. A key aspect of a successful community based initiative is partnership with, empowerment of, and ownership by the local communities and these factors underpin sustainable approach to community based disaster risk management programme.

Disaster management requires a planned and systematic approach towards understanding and solving problems in the wake of disasters. It involves systematic observation and analysis of measures relating to disaster prevention and risk reduction, emergency response, recovery and development. Therefore disaster management is a function of community preparedness. The very essential purpose of Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Programme is to reduce the negative impact of disaster risks. The main understanding behind such activities is to find ways and measures to prevent, mitigate or to reduce the impact and risks of disasters through participation and involvement of communities. The rationale for involving communities in disaster preparedness and mitigation activities is based on the assumption that community is the real sufferer and the first responder and it has developed its own coping mechanisms and strategy to reduce the impact of disaster. In fact building community leadership and a chain of trained community cadres through participatory approach can help harness the resilience and resourcefulness of the community to cope up with exigencies. Involvement and participation of the communities will ensure a collective and coordinated action during emergencies. Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Programme provides opportunities to the local community to evaluate their own situation based on their own experiences initially. Under this approach, the local community not only becomes part of creating plans and decisions, but also becomes a major player in its implementation. Community empowerment for disaster risk management demands their full participation in risk assessment, mitigation planning, capacity building, participation in implementation and development of system for monitoring which ensures their stake. It acknowledges that as many stakeholders as needed should be involved in the process, with the end goal of achieving capacities and transferring of resources to the community. It is for this reason that communities should be involved in managing the risks that may threaten their well-being. This provides the reason to invest in Community Based Disaster Risk Management Programme.

In October 2013, the Municipal Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram started implementing Community Based Disaster Risk Management Programme in 16 most vulnerable wards (8 coastal and 8 non coastal) with the support of a local NGO, named Trivandrum Social Service Society. In all the selected wards, sensitization meetings were organised which was presided by the concerned ward councilors and attended by Kudumbashree NHG members, members of youth clubs, and representatives of political parties including unit leaders of Head Load Unions, Resident Welfare Associations, ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and other health workers. A total of 1016 people (Male 389 and Female 627) in 16 wards participated in the ward level sensitization programme. In the same ward level sensitization meetings, four level task forces were constituted namely; 1) Search & Rescue 2) Evacuation 3) Shelter Management and 4) First Aid having around 10-12 members. Volunteers were selected and enrolled in task forces based on their interest, their profession and physical built up. Like ASHA workers, Anganwadi teachers, health professionals are made volunteers of First Aid. Head load

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workers, youth club members, RWA members were made volunteers of Search/Rescue and Evacuation Task Forces. 705 village volunteers were enrolled in 16 wards under four task forces mentioned above.

Community approach to disaster management focuses much on enhancing the capacity of community volunteers for effectively responding to disaster and indulge is disaster response activity including post disaster phase of preparedness, prevention and mitigation. As part of the capacity building process training programme were organised for the volunteers of three task forces by involving expert agency. Following are the detail of the training programmes organised till June 20, 2014.

Shelter Management Training Programme Training Agency/PR: Professionals who had worked in DRR/URR and KSDMA’s Disaster Management projects

Cluster No. Ward Date Venue Volunteers Trained

I Nedumcaud Chala Karamana

8/2/2014 Nedungad Govt. L P School 18 (M: 11 & F: 07)

II Vizhinjam Thiruvallom Poonthura

14/12/2013 Animation Center, Kovalam 20 (M: 04 & F: 16)

III Beemapally (East) Valiyathura Beemapally

25/01/2014 Govt. U.P. School Beemappally 30 (M: 03 & F: 27)

IV Attukal Kalady Ambalathara

6/2/2014 Thottam Residence Association's Hall

10 (M: 03 & F: 07)

V

Vettucaud Sanghumugham Poundkadavu Pallithura

26/03/2014 Christhuraj Book Stall, Vettukadu 20 (M: 01 & F: 19)

Total 98 (M: 22 & F: 76) First session focused on delivering the details of GoI-UNDP-CRM Project and introduced the concept of Community Based Disaster Risk Management to the trainees. The trainer in his presentation displayed the pictures of recent disasters that have occurred in and round Thiruvananthapuram city and a few pictures of disasters that has occurred in other parts of Kerala. The trainer asked the trainees to carefully observe all the pictures and asked them to share their observations. The purpose

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of showing disaster related pictures was to facilitate participation of the trainees in the training programme and to establish how local communities are involved in disaster response activities. The trainer presented the objectives, goal and the process of implementation of Community Based Disaster Risk Management at ward level. The trainer shared his personal experience of implementing CBDRM project in 48 wards of 6 Grampanchayat situated

between Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams during 2011-12 including challenges faced by the project team. The trainer concluded the session by presenting a case study of “Samiyarpettai” - a village near Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu where CBDRM project was successfully implemented with support from UNDP. The villagers were trained in various aspects of disaster responses and mock drills were also conducted by the volunteers involving the local community members. When Tsunami struck the coastal village on December 26th 2004, the community responded well and the deaths reported from Samiyarpettai were few.

In the second session the trainer presented the objectives; meaning and scope of shelter management; roles & responsibilities of different agencies like; government departments; local; national and international NGO’s in disaster response. He cited the few examples how national and international development organisation and state government worked for building shelters (temporary and permanent) in the tsunami affected area in Kollam and Allappuzha districts. The trainer cited a couple of challenges faced by the national/international and state government in handling shelter. A video documentary on “Shelter Management” programme of Haiti was shown to the trainees and narrated the story.

In third session the trainer explained the roles and responsibilities of the task force members of shelter management team. The trainer described in detail criteria’s for identifying and selection of a safe shelters; which includes evaluation of demographic detail of the community which will be affected by a hazard; what hazard is likely to struck, how long the shall be the duration of shelter; analyze previous experience in managing shelters; facilities available in the existing shelters or explore possibilities to install facilities; discussion with the owner/management of the identified shelter; examine whether provisions for animal care is available; check the existing damages in the structure of the buildings;

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review list of supplies for shelter inmates; staffing pattern of a shelter etc. The trainer facilitated on how to do SWOT analysis of the existing shelter of their respective wards. Directions and guidance were given to the trainee and what to focus and what not to focus. Flip Charts, maker pens and sketch pens were issued. After 30 minutes of group exercise, the trainees presented their observations and analysis.

In fourth session, the trainer covered damage assessment; need assessment; need analysis and disaster reporting. The trainer said that in the post disaster scenario, the government shall first take up Rapid Damage Assessment by undertaking survey to collect the first hand information of damages caused. This does not include detail quantitative assessment of the damages. The purpose of rapid damage assessment is to facilitate decision making. Whereas damage assessment per se is the estimation and description of the damages recorded based on physical

observations, of the nature and extent of damages resulting from a particular disaster. This is done to determine quantum of community need assessment. The trainer also talked about resource assessment, which mainly focuses on estimation and description of priority requirements and existing resources such as manpower, logistics and relief supplies in the disaster-stricken areas. The trainer said that, under comprehensive damage assessment, the assessor have to establish the impact of a disaster in terms of; casualty; damage of private property, infrastructure, agriculture; livelihood, population affected etc. The trainer explained steps to organise an assessment mission which includes; preparation of an assessment plan; determining the time and specific area to be visited; select experienced assessors; arrangement of transport, food and accommodation; make clear the roles and responsibilities of each team member and prior to departure, the team must be assembled, briefed and equipped with survey/assessment tools, appropriate protocols, reporting format and adequate terms of reference (TOR). The trainer also mentioned guidelines for conducting the survey and assessment. A few of them are; to have a close personal observation of affected areas; gather information from other agencies; coordinate with other groups with related functions; focus attention on damages related to assigned tasks; to equip with terms of reference (TOR) (quality, quantity and scope of information to be collected); cross-checking of data (coming from different sources). Under Need Assessment, the trainer shared the scope and importance of need assessment. The trainer mentioned that, the purpose of need assessment is done with the aim to ensure that, minimum humanitarian standards are fulfilled in the areas of Water Supply and sanitation. Need assessment also included; household needs, agricultural needs and economic needs. The trainer presented the goal of Rapid Need Assessment, a few among them are; How bad was the disaster?; Which areas were affected?; How many people are affected?; What are the risks to life, safety, and health?; What is the status of lifeline services? And How many homes and businesses are not insured or are underinsured?. Towards the end of the fourth session,

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the trainer made a discussion with the participants on the general safety concerns to be implemented in the shelter.

In fifth and final session, the trainer spoke on the minimum standard of relief to be maintained in – 1) Supply of food and clothing and 2) Water and sanitation. Under supply of food and clothing the trainer described food security; nutrition and food aid. The trainer mentioned that, to obtain food security it is necessary to examine the issues related to food security of the

disaster affected area, small income and employment generation schemes shall be promoted which contributed towards food security. Under nutrition support, the trainer said that, all groups of people shall be provide with at least 2100 calories per day. Special attentions shall be given to risk groups like; infants, pregnant and feeding mothers, chronically ill persons like; TB patient, HIV-AIDS infected persons and others. Definition of malnutrition, moderate, severe malnutrition and micronutrient malnourishment for urban and rural settings was discussed. The trainer also spoke food aid management, in which he mentioned food aid planning, rationing, appropriate and acceptable food stuffs, food quality and food storage and handling. Under non food items, the trainer made a detail description of shelter and settlement covering points such as strategic and settlement planning; covered living space; basics of construction and environmental impact. Under Non Food Items, the trainer covered Individual, general household & shelter support items; Clothing & Bedding; Cooking & Eating utensils and Stoves, fuel & Lightening.

Under minimum standard of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion the presentation was divided into six standards – 1) Hygiene promotion; 2) Water supply; 3) Excreta disposal; 4) Vector control; 5) Solid waste management and 6) Drainage. Under hygiene promotion, the trainer said that in a shelter, identification of key hygiene risks are most important, as it will assist in planning hygiene promotion activities. The inmates of the also shall be free and easy access to resources and facilities to achieve hygiene practices. The trainer also said that, the hygiene promotion messages shall be in local language and shall be easily understood and accepted by the community as this will facilitate behavioral modification. Under water supply standards, the trainer mentioned that, all the inmates shall have equitable access to sufficient quantity of water for drinking, cooking, personal and domestic hygiene purposes. Public water points are sufficiently close to households to enable use of the minimum water requirement. Indicators of water contamination and its treatment methods was discussed in brief. The trainer said that, People shall have adequate facilities and supplies to collect, store and use sufficient quantities of water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene and to ensure that drinking water remains safe until consumed. Under standards and key indicators of excreta

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disposal the trainer mentioned that, sanitation options are available for men, women and children for different geographical locations. The trainers showed pictures and videos of sanitation options to the trainees. Under vector control, the trainer said that, all the inmates of a shelter shall have knowledge

and means to protect themselves from diseases like malaria etc. Under solid waste management, the trainer People have an environment that is uncontaminated by solid waste and have the means to dispose of their domestic waste conveniently and effectively; solid waste shall be removed from the camp side or buried before it became health risks. Waste bins shall be installed in specified area to avoid creating health and environmental problems and finally under maintenance of drainage standard, the trainer described that, people shall have an environment in which health and other risks posed by stagnant water,

including storm water, flood water, domestic waste water are minimised. There shall not be standing waste water around water points or anywhere in the settlement camp, approach road and near sanitation facilities.

In the feedback session, the participants said that, now they are able to get a general perception about the services that can be rendered by the government and other agencies and community members in the post disaster phase. The participants are now aware about their pre defined roles and responsibilities in an emergency situation. A few trainees said that, they got a brief picture about the requirements of a shelter and its management in post disaster phase. It also gave them an idea on how a community can equip themselves with those resources which are available in the community itself. The training programme ended with vote of thanks delivered by animator of supporting NGO – Trivandrum Social Service Society.

Summary of the Shelter Management training programme:- Session Objective Delivered Outlines

I To understand community approach to disaster management

To understand how to strengthen community response – strategy and its approaches

Concept of CBDRM Community structures of CBDRM Strengthening of community institutions Importance of training and capacity building

programme II To understand what is a shelter

from disaster management point of view

To understand major stakeholders in relief and rehabilitation

Meaning and scope of shelter & its management

Roles and responsibilities of Central and State Government

Roles and responsibilities of International and National organizations and NGO’s

Overview of shelter management

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III To understand roles and responsibilities of task force members in “pre-disaster” phase focusing on:- Identification of safe shelters Criteria for selection of safe shelters Prior arrangements in case of

seasonal disasters SWOT Analysis of existing shelters

in respective ward

Knowledge on identifying suitable and safe shelter

Learned basic criteria for selecting a shelter Learned preparing action plan to meet

community needs in the case of anticipated disasters

Learned knowledge on the existing status of available shelters in the community and way forward for its strengthening

IV To understand roles and responsibilities of task force members in “during disaster” and “post disaster” phase focusing on Coordination of shelter management activities

1. Damage assessment of affected site

2. Need assessment / Analysis 3. Disaster reporting 4. Safety assurance (gender

sensitivity)

Learned basics of assessing community needs in shelter

Learned about safety mechanism for women and children in shelter

Learned types of reports required to coordinate with govt. agencies for obtaining compensation

V To understand what are the minimum standards of supply of food, clothing, water and sanitation in shelters

Learned the criteria for supply of food and clothing in shelter

Learned different types of sanitation options available for shelters

Learned about food security and nutrient assessment and malnutrition

Learned minimum standards for supply of water to families in shelters

Learned good habits of sanitation and hygiene promotion

Basic Life Support (First Aid) Training Programme

One day training programme on Basic Life Support (First Aid) was conducted in all the five clusters (16 wards) where Community Based Disaster Risk Management Programme is being implemented. The training programme was facilitated by a medical organisation called; ANGELS (Active Network Group of Emergency Life Savers) based at Calicut. Detail about the venue, date, participants of the training programme is mentioned in the matrix given below:

Cluster No. Wards Date Venue No. of participants

01 Nedumcaud, Chala Karamana 17/05/2014 Government

School, Chala 22 (F: 20 & M: 02)

02 Vizhinjam, Thiruvallom & Poonthura 13/05/2014 Animation

Centre, Kovalam 19 (F: 13 & M: 06)

03 Beemapally (East), Valiyathura & Beemapally 12/05/2014 Church Hall,

Cheriyathura 21 (F: 20 & M: 01)

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04 Attukal, Kalady & Ambalathara 15/05/2014

Thottam Residents Association Hall, Ambalathara

16 (F: 15 & M: 01)

05 Vettucaud, Sanghumugham & Pallithura 14/05/2014

Community Hall Christhuraja Bookstall, Vettukadu

35 (F: 33 & M: 02)

TOTAL 113 (F: 101 & M:12)

The first session was on “Emergency Life Care” with focus on Basic Life Support (BLS). The trainer gave a brief orientation of human anatomy including function of brain. The trainer said that brain is the organ in human body that controls the body. Photos of human anatomy like the Brain, Heart, Nose, Mouth, Lungs, Rib cage etc were showed and its features and functions were described. During the time of a medical emergency like heart attack, accident or

similar incidents the local people are said to be the first respondent. The trainer said that there are four parts in a Basic Life Support programme, which includes the following;

1. Blood circulation 2. Air way 3. Breathing 4. Defibrillation

External Cardiac Compression can be applied to rescue patient during the time of heart attack and this process is called Basic Life Support (BLS). Resuscitating the stooped heart by giving external cardiac compression is done by placing the rescuers hand on the patient’s chest at the middle as interlocked and providing chest compression at a depth of 2 inches and at a rate of least 100/mts. There are seven steps in Basic Life Support which are as follows;

1. Scene safety ( The place is safe for the patient, proper air circulation is needed) 2. Check the memory of the patient 3. Check the breathing capacity of the patient 4. Call the Ambulance 5. Check the pulse of the patient 6. Provide External Cardiac Compression to the patient. 7. Provide artificial respiration to the patient.

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Then the trainees were then divided into three groups for demonstration and practical session. Each group was provided with a dummy human and the trainers demonstrated how to administer CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Various other tips were also given to the trainees for compression and artificial respiration.

External Cardiac Compression Hands must be in the middle of the Chest Compression only 30 times in a minute The ratio between compression and artificial respiration is 30:2

Artificial Respiration

To remove the obstacles of proper airway of the patient due to tongue Provide artificial respiration once in a second To observe the changes of the chest during artificial respiration

After the deliberation of the trainers, the trainees were asked to practice administrating Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

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Second session was on ‘Trauma Care for Infant Compression” first responder’s exercise. Infants are age group between 0 to 1 month. Their heart is resuscitated by giving compression by using rescuers two finger of one hand, 1 cm below the middle point of the nipple line at a rate of at least 100/mt. The steps for External Cardiac Compression of an infant (below 1year old) and a child were narrated as mentioned below;

To check the child is awake Check the breathing capacity of the child Use 2 fingers for compression for infants Use one hand for compression for 1-8 years child The ratio between compression and artificial respiration is 15:2

Third session was on “Foreign Body Airway Obstruction”. The trainer described how to handle chocking emergency. He said that some time, chocking may become fatal, if proper and prompt medical attention is not given to the patient. There is a sign for chocking which is called as ‘Universal Sign’. The picture of this is shown below.

This sign shows that the patient can’t breathe and he is suffering from chocking. The immediate medical care during this time is called “Heimlich Maneuver”. Any foreign body that obstruct the air way leads to chocking. It can be simply taken out by applying a technique called “HEIMLICH MANUEL”. For this, place the patient in a standing position by making his legs apart, make a fist by using rescuers dominant hand, place this fist over the patients abdomen just above the navel and provide a support to the fist

with other hand and make a force in a manner of backward and upward direction. Then the trainers demonstrated the trainees how to do the ‘Heimlich Maneuver’ and helped the trainees to practice the technique. The picture bellow illustrate the practical session on ‘Heimlich Maneuver’. The way of treating a pregnant lady was showed by the resource person. During the case of Chocking to a pregnant lady the force will be given to her chest not to her Abdomen. Then the group divided in to 3 for practical session and the Emergency Medical Technician monitored the group.

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In the case of infant chocking, it can be revealed by proving 5 backward slaps and 5 external cardiac compressions. Then the trainees were divided into 3 groups for practical session and the trainers helped the trainees to practice the techniques using an infant dummy.

Post Lunch

Fourth session was on “Accident Trauma Care”. The trainer said that in the cases of a road accident or a person falling from an elevated platform or from a tree, buildings etc, special medical care and attention shall be provided to safely transport him/her to the nearest hospital. During such incident special care and attention is needs to protect the spinal code and neck of the patient from further damage. As it is the most crucial period, wherein a victim of an accident,

disaster, serious illness might lose his precious life or might slip into irreparable damage to his spinal code and health appropriate lifting techniques shall be adopted to lift and transport the victim from the place of occurrence to the hospital. The method of safely lifting the victim from the accident site was demonstrated by the trainers and the trainees also actively participated in the demonstration exercise. Helmet removal and the transporting the victim from the site of accident to another were also demonstrated by the trainer’s.

Sixth session was on providing “First Aid”. The trainer described the primary objective of First Aid to the trainees, which are as follows,

To preserve life To prevent the cause of life To ensure the safety of the patient To arrange medical care

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FIRST AID during various situations

1. Drowning Steps of Rescue Give some objects like long

cloths, rope to rescue Provide Compression and

artificial oxygenation to the patient

Cover the body of the victim with cotton cloths for protecting him from cold.

Take him to the hospital immediately

2. Heart Attack

Steps of Rescue Provide Compression and artificial oxygenation to the patient Take him to the hospital immediately The trainers acted the response of a patient during the time of Heart attack

3. Stroke Symptoms

Sudden numbness or weakness of the arm and leg Facial drop Sudden trouble in walking Trouble in speaking Take him to the hospital immediately

4. Burns Steps of Rescue

Evacuate the victim from the accident place Provide running water for 10 minutes. It will relieves pain, damage and swelling Boils should not break Avoid band aid, ointment etc, as it will increase infection

5. Electric shock Steps of Rescue

Cut the electric relation (Switch OFF) Don’t touch the victim Use a non-conducting material to separate the victim from the power source Keep the victim laying down Take him to the hospital immediately

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6. SNAKE BITE

Steps of Rescue Make the victim relax If the victim is unconscious provide basic life support Take him to the hospital immediately

Feedback and Valediction Session

The feedback and valediction session was handled by staff of Trivandrum Social Service Society (Supporting NGO). The trainees expressed their opinion and views on the training programme. The trainees shared that it was in fact new learning experience for them and had learned skills to administer first aid. They said that, all the sessions was lively and full of demonstration and group exercises which keep them involved through-out the day and they had learned by doing. The input sessions of the classroom lecture created a sense of courage and confidence to administer BLS / First Aid to a victim. Basic Life Support is inevitable in our life. BLS shall be given to each and everybody at home or a community. The programme ends with certificate distribution to the trainees and vote of thanks delivered by the Coordinator/staff of Trivandrum Social Service Society.

Session Objective Delivered Outlines

1 Learn emergency life support focusing on Basic Life Support

Basic of human anatomy described like; Brain, Heart, Lungs, Nose, Mouth, Ear, Rib cage etc.

Four parts of BLS - Blood circulation; Air way; Breathing and Defibrillation

Seven steps of Basic Life Support - Scene safety; Check the memory of the patient; Check the breathing capacity of the patient; Call the Ambulance; Check the pulse of the patient; Provide External Cardiac Compression to the patient and Provide artificial respiration to the patient

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) External cardiac compression Artificial respiration Demonstration and session to practice CPR ,

External cardiac compression

2 Learn how to apply trauma care for Infant

Steps of technical specification for administering CPR in infants like; check the child is awake or not; Check the breathing capacity of the child; Use 2 fingers for compression; Use one hand for compression for 1-8 years child and ratio between compression and artificial respiration is 15:2

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3 Learn how to clear Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in adult and infant

Handling of chocking emergency Chocking some time may become fatal Medical care to arrest chocking is called “Heimlich

Maneuver” Demonstration and practice of how to handle a

victim of chocking including adult, infant and pregnant women

4 Learn what is accident trauma care and its management

Kinds of vulnerabilities which can happen to human body due to accidents like, injury in spinal code; neck and head

Lifting techniques and methods Helmet removal technique for a victim of motor

bike accident

5 Learn what is first aid and methods of first aid for different injuries

Objectives of first aid - to preserve life, to ensure safety of the patient and to arrange medical care

Steps of rescue for the victims of drowning; heart attack; stroke, burn; electric shock and snake bite

Evacuation Training Programme

One day capacity building training programme for volunteers of Evacuation Task Forces under Community Based Disaster Risk Management Programme was conducted in three clusters covering nine coastal and non coastal wards. The training programme was facilitated by an NGO called PROFEXCEL, based at Kollam. Two Resource Persons from the NGO were engaged in handling training sessions. Detail about the venue, date, participants of the training programme is mentioned in the matrix given below:

Cluster No. Wards Date Venue No. of participants

02 Vizhinjam, Thiruvallom & Poonthura 30/05/2014 Animation Centre,

Kovalam 12 (M: 02 & F: 10)

05 Vettucaud, Sanghumugham & Pallithura

19/05/2014 Community Hall Christhuraja Bookstall, Vettukadu

13 (M: 01 & F: 12)

04 Attukal, Kalady & Ambalathara 01/06/2014

Thottam Residents Association Hall, Ambalathara

07 (M: 6 & F 01)

TOTAL 32 (M: 09 & F: 23)

The first session was on “Community Based Disaster Management”. The trainer began the session by interacting with the participants about how they will respond during the time of a disaster. Few of the trainees said that first they will do all the needful to protect themselves and then they will save the life of others. The trainer said that in the event of a disaster, it is the local community who responds first. They are the person who takes up search / rescue; evacuating people to safer places, involving in rehabilitation and resilience building. It is the local community who analyzes their risks and vulnerability

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to disasters with the help of a facilitating agency and prepare mitigation plan. In a nutshell, it is called as “Community Based Disaster Risk Management”. Need of Community Based Disaster Risk Management as shared by the trainer which is as follows;

Community are at looser end because they are the first to experience the effects of any disasters

In any disaster the local community is the main sufferer/victim Community are the first to respond Reduce delay in rescue operation and reduce disaster impact Community are the first to become vulnerable to an hazard

The trainer shared strategies of Community Based Disaster Risk Management with the volunteers, which is as follows:-

Organize the community in various groups and capacitate them in various fields Apply participatory tool and prepare Social, Resource and Hazards and Vulnerability maps of

the area Prepare Community Based Disaster Management Plan Mobilize local organizations Build capacity of the community on various facets of disaster management

Following are the process of implementing Community Based Disaster Management (CBDRM) was shared with the volunteers.

Awareness creation at village level Mobilize coordinating committees at village level Formation of various task forces at village level Trainings to members of task forces Preparation of Village DM Plan Organize mock drills Linking CBDRM to Panchayathi Raj institutions etc.

The trainer said that, preparation of Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP) is the most important aspect of a CBDRM programme and utmost care shall be given for its preparation. Steps for preparing VDMP are as follows;

Conduct community studies Identify the risk and vulnerabilities of the areas

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Mention historical data of disaster happened, its places and time Attach resource / social map Identify resources of the community – safe shelters, safe area etc and mention it in plan Make and attach evacuation route map Prepare resource inventory Mention community structure for DM Activities to reduce risks and vulnerability Finance

Towards the end of the session, the trainer said that Ward DM Plan will help the local community to clearly identify risks/vulnerabilities of their areas; identify safer places; safer routes to escape etc. This plan will also help to arrive at Mitigation measures.

The second session was on ‘Evacuation’. It began with a discussion on the meaning of evacuation. In post disaster scenario, when alert/warning is issued by the local authority to the community, evacuation from the potentially hazardous area is carried out to bring down casualty. The trainer then explained how the people can be evacuated from vulnerable area to safer locations.

Evacuation will be carried out as per warning messages Evacuation will be based on local DM Plan of the area Evacuation through safe routes Evacuation will be based on the advice of Task forces

The process of Evacuation involves the following. The Task forces of an area must have a through knowledge of the risk and vulnerabilities of the areas, they shall know safer routes to escape and

details of safer places in the locality. Early warning system is very important in evacuating a community from a locality. Detail regarding watch, alert, warning, de-warning was discussed including national and state agencies involved in issuing alert/warning for various hazards.

The trainer explained the process of evacuating people from the community. The trainer said that in a

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village DM plan, safe routes and safer locations are clearly marked including risks and vulnerabilities of the area. People can be evacuated to the pre designated safe routes and can assemble together in safe area. In the DM Plan, the volunteers of evacuation task force or their sub-groups can be allocated a section of houses/streets and it shall be the responsibility of that particular group to ensure that all the family members including infants, women, aged people, People with Disability are all safely evacuated and the list of families which is mentioned in the DM plan can be cross checked to ensure that there are no one stranded in the disaster affected area.

A short film on “CBDP – Community Based Disaster Preparedness” implemented in the Tsunami affected Nagapattanam area in Tamil Nadu was shown and the story was explained. The trainer said disaster never differentiates between men / women / rich / poor. It affect all with same magnitude given the conditions that these categories of people live in a same location. He said that community mobilisation shall be given more importance and strategies shall be evolved to gain confidence of men by supporting them in their livelihood and other development programmes and thus include them in all the task forces.

In the third session (Post lunch) the trainer explained what is PLA (Participatory Learning and Action) and how PLA tools can be used to prepare social and resource maps, hazard map and evacuation plan. The trainer said that, PLA is a tool used for planning development programmes of an area in a much participatory manner. It can be used for many objectives like; programme evacuation, analysis and planning. The trainer said that PLA tools can be used for strengthening the community and ensuring people’s participation. The merits of Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) are as follows;

Helps to identify the development needs of the ward Helps the prioritization of needs Helps the plan preparation of each unit level Helps the future plan preparation based on the identified needs Helps the identification of resources both nature and manmade

The trainer described steps involved in preparing evacuation plan are;

Organize the people in a common place Prepare the map of the ward in the floor using coloured chalk powder Identify the Risk/Vulnerable areas of the ward Mark resources of the community Mark social infrastructures of the ward Identify the safer places

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Identify the safer routes for evacuation

While preparing evacuation plan/map, people shall do the following;

Determining of the directions of a ward. Determining risk areas in a ward Determining vulnerable buildings in a ward Determining safe routes and safe places Determining institutions and open grounds of a ward

After providing general orientation, the trainees were divided into groups and were asked to prepare Resource / Social and Evacuation Map of their respective wards within an hour. In the exercise the trainers used to facilitate and support the trainees in making the maps. The After completing the entire exercise, the group members used to present the map describing vulnerable area; safe location; safe routes; social infrastructures; community resources etc. A feedback and question – answer session was conducted and doubts of the trainee volunteers were cleared.

-End-