Boosting Disaster Preparation through Participation - Kyrgyzstan

This community capacity building and small-scale structural mitigation project involved both communities and local government authorities in project implementation, for the sake of sustainability. In each village, "rural disaster teams" and "school disaster teams" took part in theoretical and practical training on disaster management, preparedness, and risk reduction. After an early warning system was developed, team members led a participatory process which involved preparation of village maps and risk areas, and creation of preparedness and contingency plans.

Playful learning strategies were designed to teach youth the nuts and bolts of disaster reduction, and to inspire them to embrace their leadership roles as key disaster reduction actors. For example, movie events were designed to educate children from an early age about the importance of disaster risk reduction, and competitions and summer camps offered an opportunity to hone and demonstrate skills and knowledge. A core strategy involved linking capacity building with small-scale structural mitigation work (strengthening river banks, building reservoirs and dykes, etc.), which was designed to provide motivation and tangible results for the communities to build on; these construction activities were highlighted through a video and other materials broadcast by the local television channel.

Contact: Bina Desai BDesai@christian-aid.org, info@christian-aid.org OR Antonina Lee Shoola@mail.kg
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/277667/306