Joint effort in Sundarbans to raise awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction

Sunderbans, India: CBM India Trust, in collaboration with Sundarbans Social Development Centre (SSDC), organized an awareness towards Disaster Risk Reduction. The event focused on educating the residents of the Sundarbans, a region prone to disasters, with a special emphasis on adolescent girls, about disaster risk reduction and resilience building. Further, the awareness highlighted incorporating the needs of people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction planning as crucial for creating comprehensive and effective strategies.

Mr. Bhakta Purkait, the General Secretary of SSDC, provided comprehensive insights into various types of disasters and their far-reaching impacts, engaging the participants through interactive sessions. Project Supervisor Mr. Mihir Halder highlighted alarming statistics and underscored the urgency of fortifying disaster resilience.

Mr. Shubhankar Purkait, the Project Coordinator, emphasized the critical importance of community capacity building and disaster preparedness to minimize vulnerabilities. He also stressed the need for inclusive approaches, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. Disaster risk reduction must prioritize inclusive planning, actively involving people with disabilities, to ensure comprehensive and effective strategies that safeguard the entire community.

The event successfully brought together 52 participants, including adolescent girls and staff members. CBM India and SSDC’s recent project at Durbachati Gram Panchayat was showcased as a noteworthy example of effective disaster risk reduction measures.

Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee at CBM India Trust, commented on the event: “The collaboration between CBM India Trust and SSDC exemplifies the power of collective action in building disaster-resilient communities. By prioritizing disability-inclusive approaches, we aim to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind in disaster preparedness and response efforts.”

The meeting concluded with a reinforced call to prioritize disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction measures for a safer and more resilient Sundarbans community. By ensuring inclusivity, such actions not only enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities but also promote a more equitable and sustainable approach to disaster preparedness and response.