Improving Disaster Preparedness and Natural Resource Management

Project

Heading
Improving Disaster Preparedness and Natural Resource Management
Description
Over the past few decades or so, Tehsil Balakot of District Mansehra (KPK) remained under constant hit of natural disasters like, floods, landslides, palatal movement and earthquake. This adversely affected the communities and brought huge loss of lives in human and livestock besides damaging croplands and infrastructure. Unfortunately, there existed no proper structure to handle these natural disasters. The situations were handled in a haphazard unorganized manner without any coordination mechanism. This further worsened the situation and affected population went through miserable conditions. UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A high proportion of the tehsil level is lost every year in landslides, floods, and many other forms of disasters. A high number of human casualties and loss of public and private property in UC Garlat is due to natural disasters may be attributed to inadequate public awareness, lack of disaster preparedness, weak governance, lack of coordination among the concerned government agencies, inadequate financial resources, and inadequate technical knowledge for mitigating the natural disasters, The communities of Subject UC did not had skills and expertise in the field of disaster management. Baseline study also reflected that target communities of 12 villages of UC Garlat including men, women, children and person with disability do not have any knowledge and skills to undertake or cope with any emergency situation. Based on the pre- project assessment conducted in the area and findings of baseline survey GEESE started its interventions under CBDRR project in 12 target villages of UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot. During the project implementation phases, (GEESE) organized communities of targeted villages into Village level Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs) as a first step. To ensure the proper involvement of villagers, GEESE conducted separate Broad Based Community Meetings with both men and women in the target villages. To keep the process transparent, field team had detailed introductory meetings in all settlements for explaining the whole process and project objectives. During this period project teams mobilized the communities to form 12 VDMCs in 12 target villages. These VDMCs were supposed to have representation of women up to 30% but due to cultural sensitivity the required percentage was not achieved in 02 of the villages. GEESE arranged 04 day training at the subject villages where VDMC members were sensitized about natural disaster management effectively. These trainings were excitedly participated by men and women VDMC members. Women participated actively in Search and Rescue, HVCRA with special interest in First Aid. At next stage, each VDMC nominated one of the proactive male members to represent the village at UC level Disaster Management Committee (UDMC). The UDMC member are responsible for coordinating with all stakeholders involved one way or other in disaster management. After receiving regular training in CBDRM, the members of each VDMC developed Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP) for their respective village. These VDMPs included all required information about past disasters, possible risks, resources required for managing risks, mitigation measures to be taken and information about different actors in DRM. During reporting period, the VDMCs developed 12VDMPs for their villages. UDMC was also engaged in development of Union Council Di saster Management Plan (UDMP). Keeping in view the important role of Local bodies representatives, GEESE conducted2-day long trainings for 39 members in two batches. After training members of local body realized the importance of DRR interventions and recommended different mitigation measures to be under taken at target villages under the budget provided in their annual development plan. Due to the GEESE CBDRR interventions, preparedness level of the communities of 12 target villages was enhanced and was reflected in the endline study
StartDate
09/01/2018
EndDate
06/30/2019
WorkingArea
UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot, Mansehra KP Pakistan
DonarName
TDEA-USAID
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Improving Disaster Preparedness and Natural Resource Management

Over the past few decades or so, Tehsil Balakot of District Mansehra (KPK) remained under constant hit of natural disasters like, floods, landslides, palatal movement and earthquake. This adversely affected the communities and brought huge loss of lives in human and livestock besides damaging croplands and infrastructure. Unfortunately, there existed no proper structure to handle these natural disasters. The situations were handled in a haphazard unorganized manner without any coordination mechanism. This further worsened the situation and affected population went through miserable conditions. UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A high proportion of the tehsil level is lost every year in landslides, floods, and many other forms of disasters. A high number of human casualties and loss of public and private property in UC Garlat is due to natural disasters may be attributed to inadequate public awareness, lack of disaster preparedness, weak governance, lack of coordination among the concerned government agencies, inadequate financial resources, and inadequate technical knowledge for mitigating the natural disasters, The communities of Subject UC did not had skills and expertise in the field of disaster management. Baseline study also reflected that target communities of 12 villages of UC Garlat including men, women, children and person with disability do not have any knowledge and skills to undertake or cope with any emergency situation. Based on the pre- project assessment conducted in the area and findings of baseline survey GEESE started its interventions under CBDRR project in 12 target villages of UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot. During the project implementation phases, (GEESE) organized communities of targeted villages into Village level Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs) as a first step. To ensure the proper involvement of villagers, GEESE conducted separate Broad Based Community Meetings with both men and women in the target villages. To keep the process transparent, field team had detailed introductory meetings in all settlements for explaining the whole process and project objectives. During this period project teams mobilized the communities to form 12 VDMCs in 12 target villages. These VDMCs were supposed to have representation of women up to 30% but due to cultural sensitivity the required percentage was not achieved in 02 of the villages. GEESE arranged 04 day training at the subject villages where VDMC members were sensitized about natural disaster management effectively. These trainings were excitedly participated by men and women VDMC members. Women participated actively in Search and Rescue, HVCRA with special interest in First Aid. At next stage, each VDMC nominated one of the proactive male members to represent the village at UC level Disaster Management Committee (UDMC). The UDMC member are responsible for coordinating with all stakeholders involved one way or other in disaster management. After receiving regular training in CBDRM, the members of each VDMC developed Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP) for their respective village. These VDMPs included all required information about past disasters, possible risks, resources required for managing risks, mitigation measures to be taken and information about different actors in DRM. During reporting period, the VDMCs developed 12VDMPs for their villages. UDMC was also engaged in development of Union Council Di saster Management Plan (UDMP). Keeping in view the important role of Local bodies representatives, GEESE conducted2-day long trainings for 39 members in two batches. After training members of local body realized the importance of DRR interventions and recommended different mitigation measures to be under taken at target villages under the budget provided in their annual development plan. Due to the GEESE CBDRR interventions, preparedness level of the communities of 12 target villages was enhanced and was reflected in the endline study



Working Area

UC Garlat of Tehsil Balakot, Mansehra KP Pakistan

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