Building disaster resilience: Training community emergency response teams in India

India is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones. These disasters cause significant loss of life, damage to property, and disrupt livelihoods. The immediate response to a disaster is critical to minimize the impact and save lives. However, in most cases, there is a lack of trained personnel who can respond quickly and efficiently. AKAH recognizes the importance of community involvement in disaster preparedness and response and aims to build disaster resilience through the training of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

Objective and scope of the project

The primary objective of the project is to train and equip the community with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively to disasters. The project aims to build a network of CERTs that can self-activate and respond promptly to disasters in their locality or neighbourhood. The project focuses on vulnerable communities, including those living in disaster-prone areas and marginalized groups such as women, children, and the elderly.

AKAH India’s Intervention

AKAH has significant technical expertise and experience in disaster risk reduction and emergency response. Through a team of experts who conduct assessments and provide technical guidance on disaster management, AKAH uses modern technology and scientific knowledge to support disaster preparedness and response. AKAH also has a robust network of volunteers and partners who work together to implement programs effectively.

Outcomes and benefits

Under the project 2284 (948 females and 1336 males) CERTs have been trained across India, benefiting approximately 101473 people. The trained CERTs will be able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters, reducing loss of life, property damage, and environmental impact. The project will also raise awareness among the community about disaster preparedness and response, leading to increased resilience and self-sufficiency. The efforts directed towards the advancement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Inspiration

CERT training has demonstrated advantages in countries such as the United States of America, Japan, and New Zealand, where trained community members responding to catastrophes have considerably decreased the impact and saved lives. The project’s replicability and scalability make it an inspiration for future disaster preparedness and response initiatives across India and other countries.