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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Natural calamities like cyclones, floods, landslides and earthquakes have been damaging lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people every year. The United Nations Organisation estimated that globally 100,000 lives are lost each year, and properties worth $300 billion are damaged due to natural hazards. The impact of natural disasters is particularly harsh on countries like India, because of a lack of preventive mechanisms. The state of Andhra Pradesh has suffered tremendously from the adverse effects of severe cyclones, floods and droughts. It is estimated that about 44% of Andhra's total territory is vulnerable to tropical storms, floods and related hazards. A study commissioned by Oxfam GB informs that the state has experienced more than 100 medium to major scale cyclones and floods over the last 100 years. GB in I In the event of such disaster, the government, as well as organisations such as Oxfam m n a f d x i a O GB have organised relief operations that have improved over time. But good relief does Since 1951 not reduce the risk people face of future loss. The response that followed each disaster has absorbed significant amounts of resources, which could have been allocated for Oxfam GB is an international Non Government Organisation that works in about development efforts. These losses could have been avoided by making disaster mitigation 80 countries across the world with a dual mandate of humanitarian response and and preparedness a culture, as well as a conscious development priority. long-term development support. Oxfam GB believes in the dignity of people and In 1997, Oxfam GB initiated efforts to create a culture of disaster preparedness in Andhra their capacity to overcome their problems. Oxfam and its partners work with Pradesh. The key components of this initiative are disaster risk-reduction of vulnerable the poorest and the most vulnerable in the struggle against poverty, suffering communities through housing, insurance, health awareness, drinking water and sanitation, and injustice. In India for more than 50 years, Oxfam GB has supported and and capacity building of communities, government, civil society and media organisations. nurtured several innovations and new initiatives by small and upcoming social These livelihood support initiatives are woven around the process of Community Based organisations and social activists. Many of these organisations and individuals Disaster Preparedness. have since become role models in the field of development practice. Today, This multi-pronged approach helps reduce the disaster vulnerability of poor communities Oxfam’s dual mandate of humanitarian response and development work has by building the capacity for organised preparedness and response; and enhancing their broadened. As a campaign organisation, Oxfam speaks out globally on behalf livelihood asset base. This case book highlights the benefits of community-based disaster of the poor people on issues such as trade and violence, advocating changes in risk-reduction, and is an attempt to share our learnings from this disaster preparedness policies and practices that keep poor people poor. The campaigns are inspired by programme. Oxfam GB’s grassroots experience in over 80 countries. We gratefully acknowledge the support of ECHO, Hivos (1998-2001) and Mahindra British Telecommunication (MBT) to this programme. Nupur Kukrety N Hari Krishna Oxfam GB Oxfam GB Photo Credit Rajanikant Yadhav First published by Oxfam GB, India, 2004 © Oxfam GB, May 2004 Riding the Storm Community Experiences from Disaster Preparedness Initiatives in Andhra Pradesh GB in m I a n f d x i a O Since 1951 The 1000 kilometres of undulating coastline in Andhra Pradesh have witnessed several cyclones over the years. Nothing, however, had prepared the people for the intensity of the disaster that struck on 6th November, 1996. Tidal waves and floods inundated several hundred villages. High velocity hurricane winds and torrential rains wreaked havoc. Fragile boats were flying across the night sky like primeval UFOs. Gigantic coconut trees dammed temporary torrents, diverting them every which way, tearing across the land, carrying people, livestock and property. When relief workers arrived with supplies a few days later, they saw devastation beyond description. Entangled corpses, uprooted Preface trees, twisted poles, skeletal remains of houses and sheets of water everywhere. It took two hours for the killer hurricane to destroy the landscape. The final toll: 1,077 human deaths, 1,683 missing persons and 19,856 livestock losses besides damage to 6,16,553 houses. The total loss was Rs. 6,129.25 crore. Forty-five lakh people were affected. Over the years, if there is one lesson that has emerged in the global experience in providing disaster relief, it is this: the interval between the disaster and the humanitarian response is crucial. It is in this confused interregnum that most of the damage to life and property occurs. Government and international agencies are not always the best equipped to deal with such emergencies. Communities have to be prepared to fend for themselves at this juncture, and the key to doing that is to promote a culture of disaster preparedness. Oxfam GB believes that the key to creating a culture of disaster preparedness is to reduce communities’ vulnerability to hazards and to build disaster preparedness skills as a conscious practice into the ongoing development programmes. Such preparedness against disasters at the community level helps reduce dependency on external aid; reduces vulnerability; and ensures timely and accurate responses in disaster emergency situations. It is a process that involves the people physically, financially and socially in developing and implementing a disaster management plan. The plan is executed by motivated men and women of the village, who form task groups, including: Cyclone warning group Shelter management group Evacuation and rescue group First aid and medical group Sanitation group Relief group In Andhra Pradesh, Oxfam GB’s efforts began in 130 villages, soon after the 1996 cyclone, in partnership with six local NGOs. Later the programme was expanded to 250 villages through 24 NGOs. These villages have now developed village level contingency plans. This plan is a list of activities a village agrees to follow to prevent the loss of life, livelihood and property in case a cyclone strikes. It also identifies in advance the action to be taken by individuals in the community so that each one knows what to do when a cyclone warning is received. Towards the end of a decade's experience in the project, this booklet documents the experience of working with these communities. The experienced project participants reflect the themes that have been the focus of our collective understanding in enhancing the inherent resilience and organised preparedness of these communities. Planning for Protection Rameswaram The women in the conservative fishing communities are being trained in cyclone preparedness, and there are special plans for pregnant, single and 6 aged women, as well as handicapped persons. A Fistful of Rice to Survive the Crisis Chinnaganjam, Konaseema Region In the village of Chinnaganjam, each family donates a handful of rice at every 8 meal, to be used during the cyclone season. Task Force Protects while Angels Bathe Bapiah Nagar In the village of Bapiah Nagar, the cyclone task force has helped at other times as 10 well – for example, ensuring safety at the religious event of Karthik Poornima Barefoot Doctors Thondabgi project area An NGO is training multipurpose health workers to deal with problems like 12 snakebites and water-borne diseases in the wake of a cyclone. Trained Hands and Fringe Benefits Bapiah Nagar Though Nagamma was trained to provide first aid during a cyclone, her skills as a 14 nurse are sought regularly by the villagers. Planning for a Future of Preparedness Peddapalli Paliya In the tiny hamlet of Peddapalli Paliya, even the children know what to do when a 16 cyclone hits. Game Plan for Disaster Preparedness Amalapuram A specially designed game of snakes and ladders is helping to increase awareness among schoolchildren about disasters and the measures to prepare 18 for such eventualities Stretching the Rupee Bapiah Nagar Prawn-pickling is one of the innovative projects created for livelihood 20 options and income generation for the fishing families, especially women. 4 New Livelihoods, New Strengths East Godavari district The fish-drying project, being implemented through women’s cooperatives, has brought the women income and savings. 22 A New Boat on the River Komaragiri village Youth cooperatives are providing loans for boats and generating employment amongst young fishermen. 24 Loan Sharks Lose Teeth Amalapuram An NGO’s intervention of lending money directly to the dalit weavers bypassing the middlemen, and allowing them to sell their products directly in the market, has boosted their income. 26 Insure to be Secure East Godavari region Oxfam GB is promoting the concept of insurance among the poorest and most vulnerable communities. 28 Cool Claims Lakshmipathipuram, Tallarevu NGOs are helping the poor to tide over their losses by investing in insurance schemes. 30 Arresting the Winds Cyclone Wind Velocity Project area Casuarinas, planted under the Cyclone Wind Velocity Project, will protect homesteads further inland from the fury of the cyclonic winds. 32 Building Resilience Komaragiri village A local building centre enables people to make low-cost, cyclone resistant bricks, which are then used in building cyclone-resistant houses. 34 Shelter from the Storm Amalapuram region A unique scheme of retrofitting houses has helped to rehabilitate the dalits of Amalapuram, who were badly affected by the cyclone of 1996. 36 5 PLANNING FOR PROTECTION Radhika, the field worker with one of the NGOs that Oxfam GB supports in coastal Andhra, laughs as she says her colleagues are always teasing her. They say that whenever she is involved in a project, she always makes sure that the village women get involved.