Preparing communities to face future disasters

19/08/12 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The ICPR project covers Colombo, Badulla, Mannar, kegalle and Matara. The IPCR team working in the Colombo Branch of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society selected 05 GN divisions as a project implementing area in Kolonnawa and Homagama DS divisions for the Vulnerability Capacity Assessment.

This assessment initially took place at the Sri Sudharmaramya, Ambalangoda recently and invitations were given to religious leaders, community leaders such as Grama Niladari, DM officer, PHI, Samurdhi officer and other relevant officials in the community.

The objective of this assessment was to identify all hazards, Vulnerabilities and capacities of the community and to identify and address these issues in a participatory manner. There were about 120 numbers of community members and 15 Red Cross Volunteers present from Jalthara and Ambalangoda /Heraliyawala itself.

The activities involved in mapping and identifying hazards, resources and the social status by the community itself.

A group discussion then took place on Health, DM and Livelihoods by dividing the community into individual groups with the facilitation of community volunteers. Another group of community members went for a “transact walk”. So observing the people, surrounding and the resources previously could confirm the information given.