To strengthen capacity of local organizations and governments to prepare for and mitigate natural disasters

Disaster management sub-committees are in function in 12 villages (06 reformed and 06 established) under the guidance of Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Disaster management plans at village level were developed in consultation with stakeholders and were presented at the district coordination committees with the view to incorporate into district plans. Government authorities responsible for disaster management and mitigation were involved in planning and training workshops, so that their practices were changed and collaborations were established.

Committee members were participated at several training programmes related to disaster, such as first-aid, fire fighting, leadership, search-rescue with the collaboration of St. John’s Ambulance Society, Sri Lanka Air Force and DMC. With the capacity built, these sub-committee members were able to manage 11 floods since April 2007. The first comprehensive Disaster Management Training Module was developed for Sri Lanka as an outcome of the project in collaboration with DMC.

As a step to disaster management and mitigation, sub-committees took the responsibility in construction of flood control systems under the guidance of service providers – DMC, Practical Action, etc., with the participation of community: culverts, flood gates, side walls, gabion walls etc. as per the plans prepared. With community participation and collaborations with other service providers, technology demonstrations/research were done on drought related issues.

A web-portal linked to Sahana Disaster Management System was initiated to support the coordination during disasters, addressing the common problems such as finding people, managing aids, managing volunteers etc.