Led by Local Champions

Led by Local Champions

• Examples from Gujarat, India: The GSDMA (Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority) supported project on Sustainable Community Initiative for Disaster Recovery and Preparedness in Ranavav Taluka, District Porbandar, made an attempt on this. The challenge of the project was to reach out to every village in the Taluka within a limited budget and time frame. The project implementation agency was SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) in partnership with UNCRD (United Nations Centre for Regional Development) and NGOs Kobe. It adopted an approach that would focus on building the capacity of local champions: champion-individuals and champion- communities. These individuals/communities were expected to sustain efforts initiated during the project for a longer period beyond the duration of the project. These individuals and groups championed various sectoral causes as described below

Champions of Safe Construction

The 2001 earthquake had a partial impact on Porbandar, a western district of Gujarat where the project was initially implemented. Although there was widespread awareness, the local community had limited knowledge about specific measures to mitigate risks from future earthquakes. To promote safer construction practices, a strategy was devised to enhance the skills of existing masons in the region. Ramesh and Magan Bhai Thakore, experienced masons from an earthquake-affected area, had firsthand knowledge of the disaster and had gained valuable expertise during the rehabilitation process. They were well-equipped to pass on their insights to their fellow masons in Porbandar.

Water Farmers

• Porbandar, like other parts of Saurashtra, has suffered repeated droughts in the recent past, seriously limiting the scope of the farmers to sustain themselves. With the ingress of salinity from the Arabian Sea further threatening their livelihoods, the need for increasing rainwater retention in their fields was felt very strongly. During the first meeting with the farmers, the SEEDS team offered their ideas on various water harvesting options.

• Within a short span of time, this small group of farmers learnt the well recharge system, also taking out time to travel to nearby villages to convince fellow farmers about the benefits of the scheme. Govindbhai has been instrumental in the success of the water conservation movement.

Cultural Ambassadors

• Devraj Gadhavi, a folk singer, is the cultural champion of Porbandar. Known for his Dayro style of folk music not just in Upleta, the village he hails from, but the entire region, he is a fail-proof crowd puller. When he performs, he often has an important message to convey. When the project team met him and shared its ideas on promoting disaster mitigation, he readily agreed to get involved.

School Teachers: Agents of change

• Mr. Joshi, the principal of Swaminarayan School, is a well-known teacher with many state and national awards to his credit. He is also the head of the Scouts and Guides Wing at Porbandar. He has been instrumental in arranging demonstrations and workshops in schools. Today, as schools in the region are conducting rescue

drills, children now understand what happens in an earthquake, cyclone or drought. They know their village environment and what they need to do to counter disasters.

Champion communities

• Champions are not restricted to individuals; entire communities can also emerge as champions. Numerous such communities have served as exemplary models for others. One such example is the village of Thoyana, where residents actively collaborate to promote disaster mitigation not only within their own village but also in neighboring areas through well-planned yet simple disaster-resistant initiatives. These efforts include water harvesting, school safety programs, mason training, and activities led by women's groups. The collective participation of villagers—ranging from women and masons to local leaders and businesspeople—has transformed Thoyana into a model community for the region. These local champions are the driving force behind community resilience, playing a crucial role in fostering long-term disaster preparedness.