Project Goal
Disaster risk reduction by building a strong network of school, non-school children and youngsters trained in disaster preparedness

Project Objectives
• Disaster preparedness that is ultimately owned by the community with leadership provided by children.
• To develop and build a working network between the various stakeholders.
To build capacities and disaster preparedness of the local Panchayats

Project Period
01 April 2019 to
31 March 2021
Project extended with KMW permission till 31st August 2021

Area of Operation
Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas District

Project Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries
Are the children with whom the project is being implemented by motivating and training them to a take the lead and play responsible roles in ORR work. The families of these children also directly benefit from the children's participation

Indirect Beneficiaries Are the population of the project area as they stand to gain from this increased capacity of a large group of children to respond and act in times of disasters and also the pre and post disaster periods

Project activities
Project has a multidimensional approach to first minimize and then prevent loss and damage to the environment and consequent adverse effects on the social, economic and structural setup in the area. Implementation of activities and programs revolve around the Children's Clubs through their group leaders and active members.
• Hazard Mapping exercises to identify and locate potential hazards and how to deal with them. Baseline updating exercises were conducted in 12 villages meeting 1530 people for data/info review and verification, and baseline data modified as required.
• Resource Mapping exercises to draw up charts and diagrams of location and availability of natural, human and structural resources that can be used during disaster times.
• Disaster Awareness programs in schools and villages with students, faculty and community members to identify hazards and risks and how to deal with them. ORR awareness programs have been conducted in 27 schools and Disaster Management Committees officially formed in 3 schools.
Historical analysis charts prepared by children based on the traditional oral history of disasters learnt from elders in the village.
Children prepared a common slogan to promote hospital care and give up superstition and quack practices.
• Stakeholder consultations with government and non-government officials and departments to explore potentials for stronger networking and more coordinated disaster response. Orientation on CLDRR was conducted for 31 elected members from 3 Gram Panchayats.
• Formation of 36 Child Task Force groups in 31 villages with 714 child members. Each CTF groups has five thematic teams - Coordination, Early Warning, Rescue, First Aid, and Water & Sanitation
• 76 thematic trainings on water purification, first aid and rescue were conducted primarily for CTF members but also attended by many other community people
• Children's Day was celebrated with the participation of 148 children who performed skits, dances & recitation to show case rights of the child and ORR activities.
• World Disaster Day - 250 children participated & with similar cultural activities, slogans and placards that exhibited their skills & knowledge of disaster risk & hazard prevention and mitigation

Outcomes & Achievements
• Children became aware of & knowledgeable about types of disasters, vulnerability & risk factors (high, medium & low) and are now gaining confi dence as important agents in disaster mitigation and management work.
• The Child Club members are able to teach and share what they are learning with elders and siblings in the family. Community Based Disaster Preparedness approach of the project was better received and a working network between the various stakeholders made considerable progress in further strengthening the community as a whole in disaster preparedness.
• The children played a commendable hands-on role in just before and after Super Cyclone Amphan struck the area on 20 May2020:
• Children opened 3 control rooms during the cyclone in three Panchayat areas. They circulated messages (giving wind speed, path of the cyclone, time, etc.) to nearly 3,500 families with early warning and cyclone advancing information.
• As a result of strong relations with their local community, Panchayat and Govt. admin, children and CLDRR staff were able to collaborate and reach out to 4000 people with Cyclone
Amphan relief measures and distribute dry food rations, tarpaulins, ropes, mats, sanitary napkins, masks, soaps and sanitizers. The relief sources were mainly Caritas - India, International
Justice Mission, and various donors who sponsored materials through 'I Care for Bengal' program of Seva Kendra Calcutta.
• The supervision of reconstructing 49 houses with support from Manos Unidas - Spain was also done by CLDRR staff. CLDRR children and staff were also called upon by the Panchayats and local administration to organise and assist in relief distribution from government sources.