Afghanistan: AGEF provides DRR training in Badkhshan Province
Reports on Afghanistan mostly focus on the security situation in the south of the country. In contrast the north-east is hardly ever covered, because it is comparably quiet and secure. However, this area also faces threats, but of a 'natural' kind. The inhabitants of the mountainous district, in the province of Badkhshan, for example, are exposed to periodic earthquakes, landslides, flooding and avalanches. The forces of nature have hit this region hard. Largely underdeveloped, with poor infrastructure and an inadequate administration, damaged by war, with an illiteracy rate of about 85%, the population suffers badly from poverty.
Against this background the non-governmental organization AGEF from Berlin has become active managing a project which is to be implemented by October 2010. This disaster risk reduction project is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. It aims at enhancing the capacity of the local people in the field of disaster prevention and natural risk reduction. First in a multipliers training selected inhabitants from the target villages will be qualified to become Disaster Awareness Manager (DAM) and be in charge of all activities regarding disaster management in their communities. The training program for the DAM includes risk assessment and threat scenarios as well as risk mapping and emergency plans, the management of emergency assembly points, early warning systems, evacuation or the signage of escape routes.
In a second phase the newly trained DAM will transfer their knowledge on to the local communities, thus sensitizing the population to be able to assess potential natural hazards. Taking into account that the project region which is defined by the catchment area of the Kishim-River is not easy accessible, and frequently hit by landslides, the project will enable the local population, as the main beneficiaries, to take self initiate measures and activities. Once the training programme, (provided by the AGEF-Trainers in close cooperation with the DAM), is completed the local communities will be prepared for natural hazards and therefore be less vulnerable. The villagers will be trained in the fields of first aid, initial treatment, and hygienic measures to prevent epidemics and to improve early warning systems. There is special emphasis in these training on gender issues and the integration of women.
The project organizers will additionally provide material for emergency assistance. Concrete mock disaster exercises will be planned after the completion of the training in order to illustrate its field utility.
Lastly but not least, the joint village representatives' training will encourage them to cooperate more closely in the field of disaster prevention and be a step further to building a network for the exchange of experience gained in the field of disaster awareness management. AGEF will refer to experience gained from a previous disaster prevention project, implemented in the province of Baghlan where approximately 2,000 inhabitants from 21 villages were successfully trained between 2008 and 2009.