DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

The frequency and severity of natural disasters have been increasing, climate change being one of the reasons along with other factors like deforestation, chemical pollutants and over use of natural resources. While natural disasters are devastating for anyone who experiences them, the rural poor are the most vulnerable, due to their poverty, lack of awareness and coping mechanisms. In such context communities need to be prepared to withstand the disasters and Risk-reduction initiatives should be in place that can protect livelihoods and lives in the event of natural disaster.

The community have experienced in last ten years 3 dry spells leading to drought like situations, 3 flash floods with landslides and one cyclone in our intervention areas. To build the capacities of community to face such situations, Pragati Koraput has intervened for disaster preparedness and reducing disaster risks through land and water management practices, empowering communities to access institutional and technical resources and also respond to emergencies whenever they arise.

Interventions & Impact

•  Communities in 51 villages have mapped the risks and vulnerabilities to effects of climate change and developed contingency plans.
•  Forest protection and bio-diversity conservation initiatives are strengthened in 1274 villages. Tree felling and forest fire has stopped. Villagers have taken up seed and seedling plantations and practicing sustainable harvesting of forest produces.
•  Demonstration of soil and water conservation measures that has reduced resource degradation. Communities are aware of land and water conservation measures, included resource management plans in Gram Sabhas and mobilised the same under Government schemes like MGNREGS.
•  Interventions have been taken up for landslide and flash flood affected families in 2006 through immediate relief support and agriculture based interventions.
•  Pragati has introduced model vegetable farming for landslide and cyclone affected families in 3 villages in 2014 to address their immediate livelihood needs.