Livelihoods based planning for disaster risk reduction

Livelihoods based approaches provide a powerful tool for understanding and interpreting the linkages between development and disaster management practice. Yet for risk reduction managers the approach remains largely unused. The workshop is organised around the following themes:

       1. Following the cycle of disaster using a livelihoods lens: day one concerns life before disaster, day two during and immediately after a disaster; and day three the interventions agencies undertake concerning rehabilitation towards recovery;

       2. From the perspective of both vulnerable communities and the practitioner. The starting point for day one concerns the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, and the issues that confront them. Concerning the practitioner’s role, this can only be truly useful following a greater understanding of the former.
 

Learning outcomes
 
By the end of the workshop participants ought to be able to:
-  understand the concepts of livelihoods based programming;
-  have a greater awareness of the issues faced by vulnerable communities;
-  apply a range of tools for disaster risk reduction within a wider framework of vulnerability.
 

Sessions comprise

- Morning presentations and case studies. Day one will cover the elements of livelihoods, including basic needs, assets, vulnerability, rights, discrimination, shocks and stresses, governance and resources. Day two will focus on how communities ‘cope with and recover from shocks and stresses’. Day three will look more at practice-based responses concerning how NGOs and others develop and implement livelihoods-based programming;

- The afternoon role play simulation will be of a vulnerable community. Day one will ‘set the scene’ of issues that vulnerable communities face. Day two will concern a rapid-onset disaster, such as fire or earthquake, while day three will focus on agency planning. Participants will be given individual identities for the simulation;

- The syndicate groups will comprise groups of 3-4 participants who will reflect on issues raised during the day and what this means for them and for their practice. At the close of each day the plenary meeting will seek to draw together lessons learned and strands of thought.