Ansuman Das Mainstreaming DRR In the Indian Sundarbans Delta

1. East Coast Regional Consultation on Climate Change AdaptationRajamundry, AP, August 26-27, 2013Session III: Planning, Mainstreaming and Convergence of CCA, DRR and CCM with developmental planning Ansuman DasMainstreaming DRR In the Indian Sundarbans Delta

2. Point of departure A historical perspective of CCA, DRR and CCM in Sabuj Sangha. ● Sabuj Sangha with the support of GOAL Ireland had been implementing an integrated development programme for about 80,000 people in the Indian Sundarbans Delta since 2005. The programme addressed the health, education and livelihoods needs of these people and sought to improve the quality of their lives thereby reducing their vulnerability to the negative impacts of poverty. ● The region would frequently witness devastation due to extreme weather events like cyclones, floods and tidal surges and Sabuj Sangha used to resposnd to all such crisis. But the programme did not focus adequately on risk reduction and as such the programmes were either washed out or blown away during such events. ● It was only in the early 2007s that Disater Risk Reduction programmesbecame integrated with the development planning of Sabuj Sangha and a number of projects and initiatives on reducing disaster risks have since been implemented by Sabuj sangha .

3. Overview on the initiative Mainstreaming DRR, CCA and CCM across the organization. Sabuj Sangha organizes its works under the following themes mainly in the Sundarban Delta Region: • Health & Nutrition • Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • Education & Child Protection. • Livelihoods & Women‘s Empowerment • Environment & Disaster Response. It also currently operates programmes beyond Sundarbans Delta region namely peri -urban Kolkata, urban Kolkata and in the Dooars region in the North of West Bengal with the support of some international partners. The rural programmes have been mainstreamed DRRand the organization realizes that unless the programmes address the impacts of climate change, development gains cannot be sustained. For that Sabuj Sangha is actively seeking partnerships and support to develop comprehensive CCA and CCM programmes , particulary for the climate vulnerable Sundarbans.

4. Mainstreaming DRR, CCA and CCM across the organization continued…. ■Overall GOAL: Sabuj Sangha‘s Environment & Disaster Reponse programmes are to reduce vulnerability of the risk communities to natural disasters ■ Strategic Objectives : To build up area specific programmes according to needs, strengthening activities and expanding to new operational areas, and Sabuj Sangha to stand as a leading player in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction in the region. ■ Sabuj sangha‘s implementing partners in the journey so far are GOAL Ireland, Europian Commission, Unitd Technologies Corporation ( UTC), Concern Worldwide Ireland, Water For People USA, EdelGive Foundation and the World Bank along with a host of national and international philantrophies, institutions and Individuals.

5. Mainstreaming DRR, CCA and CCM across the organization continued…. The DRR activities of Sabuj Sangha are broadly : • Structural (construction of hazard resistant housing, construction of multi-purpose community hazard shelters, construction of embankments, de-salination of lands and water bodies, coastal plantation, elevated drinking water sources, sanitation etc) • Non-Structural(HVCAs for community preparedness, task forces, early warining systems , training etc.)

6. Approach and methodology for integration and mainstreaming Sabuj Sangha‘s approach to development planning and implementation is participatory and encourages community involvement in all apsects of the project cycle. The programme recipients are the primary stakeholders , supported by other layers of stakeholders within their community and society including elected and admisnistrative representatives. Programme facilitators are trained to facilitate communities to design probable solutions to their problems keeping in mind their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change risks. Programme designs are based on detailed HVCAs.

7. Highlights of Key Achievements of Organizational Mainstreaming of DRR…. Hazard Resistant Housing About 250 houses destroyed by a tidal surge in 2006/2007 in fringe villages of Sundarbans. Sabuj Sangha constructed houses of the affected HHs using vernacular architecture and local materials which withstood the devastation of Cyclone AILA occured in 2009.

8. Highlights of Key Achievements of Organizational Mainstreaming of DRR…. Low Carbon Contructions: Promotion of low carbon constructions in the Indian Sunderbans Delta through constructing institutional buildings as well as community buildings using alternative energy sources.

9. Highlights of Key Achievement of Organizational Mainstreaming of DRR…. Multipurpose Community Hazard Shelters: Using conventional and non-conventional construction technologies to construct community hazard shelters in cyclone and flood prone areas of West Midnapore District and in Indian Sundarbans Delta.

10. Lessons learnt The Following are some of the key learnings of Sabuj Sangha. • DRR, CCA & CCM are complex multi-disciplinary subjects and Sabuj sangha needs to netwrok and associate with a broad range of individuals, research organizations, universities and institutions to bring in the knowledge required to address the vulnerbaility of targeted populations. • DRR & CCA mechanisms are to be implemented in the vulnerable areas to build up confidence amongst the inhabitants and to discourage them from migration.A Scaled pilot to be implemented to demonstrate results and influence policy. • Coordination amongst the Govt. Deptts., PRIs, Research Organizations and NGOs are essential in achieving targets under work programmes within time frame. • Developmental planning should include the DRR & CCA mechanisms for sustainance. • Success of the DRR is possible with the participation of the primary stakeholders • Sabuj Sangha needs to build the capacity of its staff and people on the issues of climate change and its probable impacts on targeted populations. Investments, expertise and scientific analysis of data are essentially required.

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