Disaster Risk Reduction: Strategies for Preparedness and Mitigation

Project Overview

Deshabandhu Club, with the support of Reliance Foundation, implemented the Disaster Risk Reduction: Strategies for Preparedness and Mitigation project from September 2025 to March 2026 across the flood-prone districts of Cachar and Sribhumi (Karimganj), Assam. The project was designed to strengthen the resilience of approximately 500,000 people living in highly vulnerable communities through a comprehensive approach that integrated disaster preparedness, climate-resilient livelihoods, public health risk management, school safety, livestock protection, and community participation.

Strengthening Community Disaster Preparedness

A major focus of the project was strengthening disaster preparedness through Community-led Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (HVRA) and Village Disaster Management Planning (VDMP). Three Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes were successfully organized to develop a pool of community facilitators capable of leading participatory disaster risk assessments at the village level.

Following these trainings, 37 post-training community engagement programmes were conducted across vulnerable villages. Approximately 2,000 Community members actively participated in identifying local hazards, vulnerable households, critical infrastructure, evacuation routes, safe shelters, available resources, and preparedness gaps. The process culminated in the preparation and strengthening of Village Disaster Management Plans, enabling communities to systematically identify risks and develop locally appropriate preparedness and response strategies. These exercises significantly enhanced collaboration between Panchayati Raj Institutions, frontline departments, community volunteers, and local residents.

Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Considering that agriculture is the primary livelihood of rural households in the project area, the initiative promoted climate-resilient agricultural practices to reduce vulnerability to floods and climate variability. Under the programme, 80 farming households in Katigorah Rev circle received resilient paddy seed support, enabling farmers to cultivate flood-tolerant varieties with improved adaptability to changing climatic conditions.

The intervention encouraged the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and enhanced awareness regarding sustainable farming techniques, improved productivity, and livelihood security. The initiative contributed towards strengthening household resilience while supporting sustainable agricultural development in flood-prone areas.

Strengthening Livestock Protection

Livestock represents an important economic asset for rural households, and its protection during disasters remains essential for livelihood security. To address this need, the project organized three Livestock Health Camps in collaboration with the Veterinary Department. The camps provided veterinary consultations, animal health check-ups, vaccination services, disease prevention measures, and awareness on emergency livestock care.

In addition, two specialized training programmes were conducted for para-veterinary personnel on livestock protection in emergencies. These were followed by 15 community-level awareness and follow-up engagement programmes, strengthening local capacity to protect livestock before, during, and after disasters. These interventions improved preparedness among livestock owners and promoted better animal health management in vulnerable communities.

Public Health Risk Management

Public health preparedness formed another important pillar of the project. During disasters, outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases pose significant threats to affected communities. To address these risks, the project organized four training programmes on Public Health Risk Management (PHRM) for ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, community volunteers, and other frontline health personnel.

Following the trainings, 74 community-based public health awareness programmes were conducted across project villages where 5000 and more people participated. These awareness sessions promoted safe drinking water practices, sanitation and hygiene, disease prevention, nutrition, vector control, waste management, and emergency health preparedness. The initiative strengthened the capacity of frontline workers while improving community awareness on preventing disease outbreaks during emergencies.

School Safety and Disaster Education

Children remain among the most vulnerable during disasters, making school preparedness an important priority. Under the project, 40 teachers and education stakeholders received specialized Training of Trainers on School Safety. The programme focused on disaster preparedness planning, hazard identification, evacuation procedures, emergency response mechanisms, and child safety.

To translate learning into practice, four school mock exercises were successfully organized. These simulation exercises enabled teachers and students to practice evacuation procedures and emergency response actions under realistic conditions, thereby enhancing preparedness and promoting a culture of safety within educational institutions.

Community Awareness and Social Mobilization

Community awareness and public participation remained central to the project's implementation strategy. A total of seven large-scale Disaster Risk Reduction awareness programmes were organized across project villages, bringing together Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self Help Groups, youth volunteers, women leaders, farmers, frontline workers, teachers, and community members.

These programmes promoted awareness on disaster preparedness, early warning dissemination, evacuation planning, household-level risk reduction measures, climate adaptation, safe shelter management, and community participation in disaster response. The awareness campaigns encouraged collective responsibility for disaster preparedness and strengthened coordination between communities and government institutions.

Strengthening Livelihood Information Systems

To improve planning and targeted interventions, the project successfully initiated the generation of a comprehensive database covering more than 5,000 livelihood groups across the intervention areas. The database will serve as an important resource for identifying vulnerable households, facilitating convergence with government livelihood programmes, and supporting timely humanitarian assistance during emergencies.

Project Impact

The project has made a significant contribution towards strengthening disaster resilience across the intervention areas. Community institutions are now better equipped to assess disaster risks, prepare local response plans, and coordinate effectively with government agencies during emergencies. Village Disaster Management Plans have strengthened local governance by integrating disaster preparedness into community planning processes.

The establishment of a comprehensive livelihood database further enhances the ability of stakeholders to undertake evidence-based planning and targeted interventions during future emergencies.