Building resilient communities: Community-managed disaster risk reduction

Participants will learn the Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) approach which builds people’s capacities to prevent and mitigate the impact of hazards of communities at risk. This is achieved by enhancing individual survivability and community readiness. Building resilient communities means strengthening the foundation of safety and enhancing disaster risk reduction measures.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants shall have:

• Developed a shared understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of DRR;
• Demonstrated the use of selected tools and conducted participatory disaster risk assessment in the community; and
• Developed strategies to sustain CMDRR in a community

Course Content

Module 1. Concepts, Principles and Practices in CMDRR

This module tackles the link between disaster and development and explains the concept, process and approach to CMDRR. It discusses the role of facilitation, clarifying basic conceptual foundations of both content and process. This module also discusses ecosystems and climate change as important considerations in CMDRR

Module 2. Facilitating CMDRR: Methods and Process

This module introduces the participants to the principles and techniques in conducting participatory disaster risk assessment using participatory learning and action (PLA) tools. The disaster risk assessment process follows the disaster risk formula of:

Disaster Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability Capacity

This module also demonstrates how the results of the participatory disaster risk assessment will be translated to disaster risk reduction plans, tools for monitoring and evaluation and strategies to strengthen community organizations. A guided field practicum allows participants to interact with community leaders and members and demonstrate the use of various tools.

Module 3: Sustaining CMDRR

This module teaches participants how to facilitate documenting and sharing of CMDRR experiences as part of policy advocacy, resource mobilization, networking, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational learning. Participants understand how to link community organizations with other actors who are active in disaster risk reduction and how to access resources for CMDRR. Participants are provided with various ways to mobilize communities and influence policies supportive of CMDRR.

The module also introduces approaches to integrate DRR in various development programs and plans such as those related to livelihood development, natural resources management, health systems development and education. Integrating DRR in the wider community development programs ensures the sustainability of DRR practice and principles.

Module 4: Action Planning

Synthesizing and applying lessons from Modules 1 to 3, Module 4 guides the participants in developing an action plan for implementation. The plans, which are based on the realities of the communities and implemented in line with organizational, program or project thrusts, are critiqued by course facilitators and other course participants