Keeping in view the importance and role of community in disaster risk reduction, Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, in association with Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority organized three days State level Training of Trainers programme on“Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction” From 22nd to 24th April, 2019 at HIPA for the representatives of NGOs of Himachal Pradesh who are registered with HPSDMA. This programme was attended by 33 participants representing almost all the Districts of Himachal Pradesh. The main objective of the  programme was to highlight a process of local capacity building for the purpose of risk reduction. It also aimed at training NGOs to help the community in development of a contingency plan at their level and enable them to learn to manage disasters and to cope with it effectively. Identify the role of NGOs in pre, during & post disaster scenarios.  

The Contents of the Programme included:-  Institutional Framework of Disaster Management in India & Himachal Pradesh; Need of better GO-NGO Coordination for Disaster Risk Reduction and Role of NGOs; Understanding Disaster Risk: Hazard, Vulnerability, Exposure and Capacity; Approaches to and Phases of Disaster Risk Management; Framework of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction; Formation of the VDMCs and Constitution of various DM Teams (in light of the Schemes launched by the GoHP; Integration of cross-cutting issues (gender, disability, elderly, etc.) into CBDRR; Technical Capacities required for CBDRR:Data Collection & Mapping of Resources; Integration of cross-cutting issues (gender, disability, elderly, etc.) into CBDRR; Providing Psychosocial Support to the disaster-hit community (Dos & Don’ts); Providing First Aid (Common emergency scenarios in which community needs self-reliance); Hands-on Exercise for providing First Aid; Way Forward Workshop: Institutionalizing the CBDRR (Identification of the villages/communities by the NGOs and preparatory steps). Majority of the participants rated the training programme and performance of Faculty Excellent and Very Good.  This State level CBDRR programme and course contents were highly appreciated by the participants and they suggested that such progammes should be organized at Village and Panchayat level also.