CBM India Trust collaborates with SSDC to work towards disaster risk reduction in Sundarbans

New Delhi, November 16, 2023: CBM India Trust organized an awareness event towards Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration with Sundarbans Social Development Centre (SSDC) to educate the residents of the Sundarbans, a region prone to disasters. The session laid special emphasis on teaching adolescent girls about disaster risk reduction and resilience building. Further, the awareness event highlighted incorporating the needs of people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction planning as a crucial component for creating comprehensive and effective strategies.

Bhakta Purkait, General Secretary, SSDC, provided insights into various types of disasters and their far-reaching impacts, engaging the participants through interactive sessions. Project Supervisor Mihir Halder highlighted alarming statistics and underscored the urgency of fortifying disaster resilience.

Shubhankar Purkait, Project Coordinator, emphasized the importance of community capacity building and disaster preparedness to minimize vulnerabilities. He also stressed the need for inclusive approaches, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. Disaster risk reduction must prioritize inclusive planning, and actively involving people with disabilities, to ensure comprehensive and effective strategies that safeguard the entire community.

The event successfully brought together 52 participants, including adolescent girls and staff members. CBM India and SSDC's recent project at Durbachati Gram Panchayat was showcased as an example of effective disaster risk reduction measures.

Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee, CBM India Trust, commented on the event, "The collaboration between CBM India Trust and SSDC exemplifies the power of collective action in building disaster-resilient communities. By prioritizing disability-inclusive approaches, we aim to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind in disaster preparedness and response efforts."

The meeting concluded with a call to prioritize disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction measures for a safer and more resilient Sundarbans community. By ensuring inclusivity, such actions not only enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities but also promote a more equitable and sustainable approach to disaster preparedness and response.