COMMUNITY BASED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Community based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) is anchored in the disaster risk reduction
framework. CBDRR covers a broad range of interventions, measures, activities, projects and
programs to reduce disaster risks, which are primarily designed by people in at-risk localities
and are based on their urgent needs and capacities. Simply put, the aim of CBDRR is to

1) reduce vulnerabilities and increase capacities of vulnerable groups and communities to

cope with, prevent or minimize loss and damage to life, property, and the environment,

2) minimize human suffering, and

3) hasten recovery

Through CBDRR vulnerable groups and communities can be transformed to disaster resilient
communities, which can withstand and recover from stresses and shocks from the
natural/physical and socio-economic political environment. While resilience is a relatively
new concept in CBDRR, it is easily grasped and appreciated by communities when illustrated
by the example of the bamboo, which sways with the battering of strong winds but stays
rooted and weathers the typhoon. Key indicators are safety, livelihood security and
sustainable economic, social and physical development (general wellbeing, health, education,
amenities, natural and physical environment, etc.)

Why Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction?

Over the past decades, economic losses and number of people affected by natural disasters
have increased more rapidly than both economic and population growth. The impacts of the
disasters are deeply related with the socio economic conditions, tradition, culture, and climate
of the communities. To minimize the damages caused by disasters, various efforts have been
taken by government, international communities including donor agencies. It has been
observed that many of the disaster management programmes have failed to be sustainable at
local level after the completion of the project. A critical element of sustainable disaster
management is communities participation in these activities. The most common elements of
community involvement are

partnership,
participation,
empowerment
ownership by the local people

The emphasis of disaster management efforts should focus on communities and the people
who live in them. Unless the disaster management efforts are sustainable at individual and
community level, it is difficult to reduce the losses and scale of the tragedy.

Through these community-based activities, people should be able to participate along side
government officials and experts group as the direct stakeholders of these activities. People
should own problems, consequences and challenges of any mitigation and/or preparedness
initiative, it is necessary to take peoples involvement further, into policy and strategy. This
process induces sense of ownership to the people which results in their continuous
engagement and long term commitment to these activities. Thus involvement of communities
is important in both pre-disaster mitigation and post disaster response and recovery process.

Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Approach:

CBDRR approach provides opportunities for the local

to evaluate their own situation based on their own experiences.

local community not only becomes part of creating plans and decisions but also
becomes a major player in its implementation.
CBDM does not ignore the importance of scientific and risk assessment and planning.
CBDM approach acknowledges that as many stakeholders as needed in the process,
with the end goal of achieving capacities and transferring of resources into the
community.

Eg: There are three major aspects of the community empowerment in earthquake disaster
risk management through this initiative: Seismic safety of school buildings Capacity
building of communities Disaster education and awareness

Thus, community empowerment and communication help to achieve sustainability in

CBDRR. Community based action plans and training improves community's problem.
Disasters are unpredictable, it is important to maintain the projects and people's awareness of
disasters. Transparency of activities and dissemination of knowledge and information
encourage people's participation in activities. CBDRR efforts need stable financial resources.
'What is accepted by the community' is more important than 'what is necessary'.